Ageing and Aged Care in Australia
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Part 1: Valuing Older Australians- Part 2: Caring for Older Australians - Overview
- Part 3: Information and Referral
- Part 4: Care and Support in the Community
- Part 5: Residential Care Services
- Part 6: Quality in Aged Care Services
- Part 7: Assisting People to make Transitions between Care Programs
Part 8: Services and support for people with special needs- Appendix 1: Government in Australia
Ageing and disability affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people earlier than they do non-Indigenous Australians. Consequently, planning for services is based on the number of people aged 50 years and over, instead of 70 years and over as used for the rest of the population.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access mainstream services under the Aged Care Act and also services funded outside the Aged Care Act under the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program.
Under the Aged Care Act, approximately 700 places are available through 30 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care services. Some of these services are managed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations. In addition, in many areas services under the Aged Care Act that are managed by non-Indigenous approved providers have a significant number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program provides around 750 flexible places through 30 services, mainly in rural and remote areas. This helps ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access culturally appropriate care services as close as possible to their communities. The communities are encouraged to participate in every aspect of service provision, from the planning stages through to the operation of the services. A mix of residential and community aged care services can be provided, and the mix of services may change as community aged care needs vary. A flexible approach to funding allows these services to modify the type of aged care services they provide according to the ageing needs of their local communities.
In recognition of the difficulties faced by service providers in remote and very remote communities, additional practical assistance can be provided. This includes peer and professional support services. Emergency support services and capital funding can also be provided in unforseen circumstances such as the failure of essential services or severe damage to buildings.