Australian Government Department of Health & Aged Care sponsors the 2024 National First Nations Elders Wellbeing: Greater Choices for Aged Care Conference
The National First Nations Elder's Wellbeing Conference is set to convene on December 10-12, 2024 at Pullman International Hotel in Cairns Queensland Australia and will spotlight the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program, highlighting its role in enhancing the quality of care for First Nations Elders.
- (1888PressRelease) October 20, 2024 - The National First Nations Elder's Wellbeing Conference is a gathering that will unite Indigenous leaders, aged care professionals, NGOs, community-controlled organisations, government departments, Elders groups and community advocates from across Australia sharing experiences, frank and honest disucssions around the theme “Greater Choices for Aged Care,” which aims to empower First Nations Elders and enhance their wellbeing through culturally appropriate aged care solutions.
“Elders are the backbone of our communities,” said Thomas Callaghan, chief executive officer of ICS Australia. This conference is a vital opportunity for us to discuss how we can ensure we receive the respect, dignity, and choices we deserve in aged care. This conference is an opportunity to explore how we can further these efforts and empower our communities.
Attendees will engage in keynotes, workshops and discussions that emphasize the integration of culturally appropriate practices and the significance of community-led initiatives. As such, the Australian Government is working to improve aged care so that older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access culturally safe services from First Nations providers and workers that provides aged care support for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that ensures culturally safe care across the aged care journey.
The Australian Government is investing in culturally safe aged care by:
• partnering with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) to roll out the Elder Care Support Program, helping older First Nations people to navigate and access aged care supports in their community
• developing a co-designed and culturally safe model for First Nations people, to be delivered by First Nations organisations, as part of our significant reform of the aged care assessment system
• funding the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program, which supports older First Nations people who want to stay on their Country/Island Home to access aged care
• investing more money in better aged care services in rural and remote areas
• working with First Nations organisations to support flexible approaches to aged care that help ensure providers remain viable.
At the core of this is a strong, compassionate First Nations workforce. We’re growing this workforce through:
• the Indigenous Employment Initiative, which supports organisations to hire and train First Nations people
• developing a First Nations Aged Care Workforce Action Plan.
There’s still much to do to ensure every older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person can access culturally safe care, where and as they need it. We’re committed to closing this gap and working in partnership with communities to meaningfully achieve this outcome.
Similarly, changes to in-home aged care will be happening from July 2025. The Australian Government is improving in-home aged care to help older people live independently at home for longer. The new Support at Home program will replace the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme from 1 July 2025.
Under the new program, there will be improved access to services, equipment and home modifications to help older people stay healthy, active and connected to their community.
Older people with more complex needs will have access to higher levels of care, helping them to stay home for longer. Benefits of the new program include:
• shorter average wait times from assessment to receiving support
• fast access to equipment like walkers and wheelchairs, including a new equipment loan scheme
• financial support of up to $15,000 for home improvements to make homes safer.
Existing in-home aged care programs will continue operating as normal until they transition into the new program.
The Department of Health and Aged Care is committed to continuing engagement with older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and providers to ensure Support at Home supports the diverse needs of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
You can hear from the department at the 2024 National First Nations Elder's Wellbeing: Greater Choices for Aged Care Conference. We hope you will join us and share your views to help us continue to improve the Support at Home program where we will discuss:
• the program elements of Support at Home
• how Support at Home is designed to allow older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access culturally safe aged care services
• designing and testing a Support at Home funding model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Furthermore, ICS Australia is offering cost-effective 3-for-2 group discount when organisations register two staff, the 3rd staff is FREE. To register and for the full details about the conference, please visit www.icsconferences.org
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