Aged Care reform is underway in Australia in response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Visit these sites and subscribe to newsletters and updates.  

Aged care sector newsletters and alerts 

There is also currently Aged Care Legislative Reform and a new Aged Care Act underway. You can be involved in this consultation via the Aged Care Engagement Hub.  

Falling out of the above-mentioned reforms and legislation changes, as expected there will be updates to many areas of aged care, including the:

Aged Care Diversity Framework and Action Plans (2017) 

Aged Care Quality Standards & Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

Visit the pages above for further information and subscribe to the Aged Care Quality Bulletin Newsletter to keep up to date.

Diversity is about recognising that everybody is unique. When it comes to embracing diversity, an important step is to understand our own biases and prejudices, because we all have them.

This video provides an introduction to exploring your unconscious bias. Self-identifying your own unconscious bias is important so you can change the way the thoughts or feelings that you are not always aware of can influence your judgements and your work.

Bias and Prejudice 

One key prejudice that is important to challenge is ageism. The wellbeing and quality of life of older people are compromised because of ageist attitudes.

EveryAGE Counts is a national advocacy campaign aimed at tackling ageism against older Australians. Start by taking their Am I ageist? quiz., before exploring their resources.

Understand: Who lives in your community? Who uses your services? Are there barriers to access your services? Are you providing the right services to meet the needs of your community?

• Use endorsed data sources, examples detailed in table here
• Work with your referrers, peak bodies, community groups, research institutes and specialist service providers
• Meaningful engagement with consumers and the community more broadly

The Aged Care Diversity Framework (2017) highlights 12 characteristics of diversity, recognising that older people with diverse needs, characteristics and life experiences can share the experience of being part of a group or multiple groups that may have experienced exclusion, discrimination and stigma during their lives. It is important to note that there are many more diverse characteristics which may not be listed here and emerging vulnerabilities for people to access the services they need. It is not an exact science.

To find resources to enhance your understanding of specific diversity characteristics, and how you can support people with diverse needs, refer to other sections of this website.

 Lived Experience 

Health and Wellbeing 

Intersectionality is a way of seeing the whole person’s unique identity which is constantly evolving and made up any number of diverse characteristics. Age, gender, health, disability, gender, sexuality, cultural background, religion and location are just some examples of the different factors that shape a person’s identity and circumstances.  

In principle, your services and care should reflect the inclusion of all people on the basis a person-centred approach to care and “the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.” (International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1976)

Knowing your population is not just about numbers. Listening to the voices and lived experiences of consumers can provide the most important information to support your diversity planning.

Consultation and co-design with service users, consumers and community is critical to identify and make sure what you do meets the needs of those who use your service.

However, you must take care to make sure that you are doing this in is a considered way, that is meaningful for all involved, creating equal and reciprocal relationships.