This action plan sets out what aged care providers can do to deliver more inclusive services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, and intersex (LGBTI) elders.
Australia is a diverse nation, and this is reflected in the diversity of religion, spirituality, sexuality, culture, socio-economic background, geographic spread, medical and care needs, and personal experiences of our senior population.
The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that all consumers of aged care can access information and receive aged care services appropriate for their individual characteristics and life experiences. The Aged Care Diversity Framework (the Framework), launched in December 2017, is a key part of achieving this
This is one of four distinct action plans developed under the Framework:
• Actions to support all diverse older people, an overarching set of actions in recognition of the many commonalities within and between diverse groups.
• Actions to support older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Actions to support older people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds
• Actions to support older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and gender diverse, and Intersex peoples
The plan can assist providers to identify actions they could take to deliver more inclusive and culturally appropriate services for consumers. It acknowledges that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to diversity, and that each provider will be starting from a different place and operating in a different context. Therefore, this action plan is designed so that providers can work through three levels of actions – Foundational, Next Steps, and Leading the Way – and decide which are most relevant to their organisation, in consultation with consumers, their support people, and staf
Delivery of safe and inclusive services to people with diverse needs and life experiences is built into the Aged Care Quality Standards. Diversity is woven through the Standards and underpinned by Standard 1 to value the identity, culture and diversity of each consumer and to deliver culturally safe care and services. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will assess aged care providers based on the quality of service experienced by service users (consumers).
There are many benefits for providers in taking action to provide better services to diverse groups. These include opportunities to:
• Celebrate successes with consumers, their support people and the wider community;
• Engage with new groups of potential consumers;
• Improve the wellbeing and satisfaction of consumers;
• Build new partnerships with the community;
• Increase the vibrancy of the service environment;
• Demonstrate to employees with diverse backgrounds and life experiences that they are valued and engaged within the service.
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