A report addressing vast gaps in information when it comes to caring for our elderly, particularly those from CALD communities, was launched in Parliament House yesterday.Co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Multiculturalism the Federal Member for Calwell Maria Vamvakinou and the Federal Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent had the pleasure of releasing the Federation Of Ethnic Communities’ Councils Australia (FECCA) Review of Australian Research on Older People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds (CALD).FECCA commissioned the Australian Population and Migration Research Centre, University of Adelaide, to review the Australian Research on older people from CALD backgrounds to address the sporadic information available in this area.
Both FECCA Chair Joe Caputo and Director of the Migration Research Centre Dr Helen Feist emphasized the need for the report citing that the 2011 Australian Census found that that more than 1.34 million Australians aged over 50 were born overseas in an non-English speaking country, making up more than 20 per cent of all Australians in that age group.Maria Vamvakinou MP said it was important to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services for our ageing migrant communities. “Ageing, as we all know, will affect all Australians. As we come to terms with dealing with our growing ageing population and all the complexities that come with that, it is also very important to keep in mind that every elderly Australian has a personal story with a uniquely individual experience.”
Brief summary of Report
1.The aims of the report were to identify gaps in existing research and cover broad topic areas such as:
*older people from CALD backgrounds in general and in particular with dementia.
*ageing and mental health issues
*and CALD carers and carers of older people from CALD backgrounds
2. The project was overseen by FECCA’s advisory Committee and representatives of national peak bodies, the aged care service industry, government agencies and academic institutions.
3. The report is accompanied by a searchable database that includes key findings and a series of report briefs on the specific topics covered in the review.
4.The resources enable service providers and policy makers to translate knowledge in culturally appropriate aged care practices. Identifying gaps in the current evidence base allows informed decisions to be made about future research into older CALD Australians.
For the full report visit www.fecca.org.au
