WHO WE ARE The Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of - PDF document

CONSULTATION GUIDE: DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL AGED CARE DIVERSITY FRAMEWORK AND ACTION PLANS WHO WE ARE The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) is the national peak body representing Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and their organisations. FECCA provides advocacy, develops policy and promotes issues on behalf of its constituency to Government and the broader community. FECCA supports multiculturalism, community harmony, social justice and the rejection of all forms of discrimination and racism so as to build a productive and culturally rich Australian society. FECCA’s policies are developed around the concepts of empowerment and inclusion and are formulated with the common good of all Australians in mind. FECCA has had a longstanding presence in policy and systemic advocacy on ageing and aged care issues for CALD Australians. FECCA is the leading stakeholder in CALD ageing and aged care policy, and has been a significant contributor to a range of collaborations, including the National Aged Care Alliance, and partnerships with other peak bodies, to achieve the inclusion and empowerment of older CALD Australians, their carers, and people from CALD backgrounds who work in the aged care industry. Introduction – The Diversity Framework The Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health, asked the Department of Health to work with interested parties to co-design an Aged Care Diversity Framework (the Framework). To inform development of the Framework the Minister established an Aged Care Sector Committee Diversity Sub-Group. FECCA is a part of the representation of the Diversity sub-group and represents older Australians from CALD backgrounds. Presently the committee members are organising consultations with their particular constituents. The consultations will end on 31 st December, 2017. A draft Action Plan will be made available for comment by March 2018. The final document will be launched by the Minister in May 2018. Under the Framework, initially three action plans will be developed commencing with:  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities  Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities  Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) elders. Other diverse groups will follow after this initial development. The high level Framework will focus on all diverse older population groups. It will cover common barriers affecting access to aged care services to drive cultural and systemic improvements. It can also be used to inform future policy work on the aged care system. FECCA Diversity Framework Consultation Guide October_2017 1

CONSULTATION GUIDE: DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL AGED CARE DIVERSITY FRAMEWORK AND ACTION PLANS With a Framework providing overarching guidance, individual action plans will focus on each group’s particular needs. The Framework is envisaged to be a living document and action plans for example, for people with a disability, people who live in rural, remote or very remote areas, people experiencing mental health problems/issues and people who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless. The action plans will support aged care providers, consumers, families and carers by focusing on solutions addressing specific barriers and challenges affecting each group’s ability to access mainstream and flexible aged care services. In doing this, consideration will be given to ‘diversity within each diversity group’. Purpose of the Framework Older people display the same diversity as the broader population across one or more attributes including race, religion, language, gender, sexuality, health, economic status and/or geographic location. The Framework will reflect this reality. The Framework and action plans will include a governance structure clearly identifying the role of government, providers, peak organisations, health professionals and consumers in realising the intent of the Framework and action plans. Providers and peak provider and consumer organisations will be encouraged to use the Framework to inform their diversity-related policies, processes and actions. It is important that FECCA accurately conveys to the Australian Government what the CALD older person requires to be able to access care which is appropriate to their cultural needs. FECCA Diversity Framework Consultation Guide October_2017 2

CONSULTATION GUIDE: DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL AGED CARE DIVERSITY FRAMEWORK AND ACTION PLANS Consultation questions Attached are the 6 priority areas for consideration with the imperatives the same for all priority areas. Some specific questions for consideration could be; What does an informed choice look like? How can we ensure that CALD older people are being given information in a language or format or communication channel that suits them best? Have you heard of My Aged Care? What were your experiences like? Who has given you information about aged care? Was the information useful? What are the best ways to deliver information to CALD older people and their representatives about aged care? E.g. local GP or pharmacist, community groups, Centrelink, local radio, ethnic media, newspapers, internet, social media What does empowerment look like when making informed choices? Imagine a world where you can make decisions with little to no assistance? What would this be like? How can CALD older people participate in planning and implementing the framework? How could the language barriers and lack of system knowledge be managed? How do we ensure that quality care and support is given to all CALD older people, particularly when they are in receipt of aged care services? How can the aged care system be proactive and flexible? New and emerging groups of older people will come to need aged care supports in the future. How can we cater to their needs, how will we know what they need, or how do we understand what their needs will be? How do we ensure that services are respectful and inclusive? How will a person’s specific cultural, religious and social needs be met? How will personal care needs be met? How will healthcare needs be met? How can we ensure that carers and representatives of CALD older people are listened to and acknowledged? What is the best way to reach CALD carers? Are you aware of the Carer Gateway? If you do, is this a useful channel of communication? How can it be improved? How can we ensure that aged care is affordable and can be accessed by all people? How will we make people and organisations accountable for mistreatment or neglect in aged care? FECCA Diversity Framework Consultation Guide October_2017 3

CONSULTATION GUIDE: DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL AGED CARE DIVERSITY FRAMEWORK AND ACTION PLANS How can we better serve CALD older people who need to access emergency healthcare? Are hospitals prepared to look after older people from CALD backgrounds? Who should be accountable for delivery of the Framework? Should it be government, Providers of aged care or a combination? Should consumers assume some responsibility for particular outcomes? Please collect de-identified information for the following areas. 1. Number of people who attended 2. Culture which the person/group identified with 3. Proficiency of English language 4. Proficiency in language of choice 5. How many are accessing aged care services Survey sheet to be distributed by FECCA. FECCA Diversity Framework Consultation Guide October_2017 4

CONSULTATION GUIDE: DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL AGED CARE DIVERSITY FRAMEWORK AND ACTION PLANS Priority One Making informed choices: Older people are given information in a way that enables them to be well informed about aged care and healthy ageing to enact their informed choice and control over the care they require. • Empowerment : Older people with diverse characteristics and life experiences, their families, carers and regular representatives are respected and supported by the sector and have the information, knowledge and confidence to maximise their use of the aged care system. • Equity of access and outcomes : Older people have equitable access to information and services that are effective and appropriate to their needs, take account of individual circumstances and overcome any barriers. • Inclusion : Older people with diverse characteristics and life experiences, their families, carers and regular representatives are included in the development, implementation and evaluation of aged care policies and programs on an ongoing basis by providers and the Government. • Quality : Older people are treated with dignity and respect, and can maintain their identity, make choices about their care and services and how their care and services support them to live the lives they choose. • Responsive and accountable : Providers demonstrate they meet the diverse needs and expectations of older people, their families, carers and regular representatives by being responsive and accountable and having transparent reporting and activities. • Capacity building : Older people and their communities have the capacity to articulate their ageing and aged care needs; be involved in the development of services and the workforce to meet their needs; and have diverse characteristics and life experiences embraced. FECCA Diversity Framework Consultation Guide October_2017 5