Special needs groups

Special needs groups There are a number of groups of people that are recognised by the Government as ‘special needs’ groups when it comes to aged care services.

Aged care providers are required to consider the needs of these groups in the provision of care. You will find more information on each group below. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) The care needs of older Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people can be quite specific and there is a cultural element that needs to be considered in the delivery of care. All care homes should care for all people regardless of their background although some homes are specifically for ATSI clients. See pages 150–152 for an overview of aged care homes and service providers that have indicated to cater for ATSI clients. Care leavers A care leaver is a person who, as a child or youth, spent time in institutional care or other types of out of home care like orphanages, children’s homes or foster care. A large number of these care leavers are now reaching an age where they need to consider moving into aged care. Because of their experiences in institutionalised care, aged care has been flagged as an area that can cause distress and anxiety. Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people Some aged care services are designed specifically for people who are culturally and linguistically diverse. They might have staff that speak a foreign language, specific cultural activities or meeting spiritual needs. To support the needs of older people from CALD backgrounds, the Government has introduced the ‘National Ageing and Aged Care Strategy for People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Backgrounds’. This strategy helps aged care providers to deliver quality care and aims to make culturally appropriate aged care more accessible. See pages 150–152 for a list of culturally appropriate homes and services. Disability In Australia one in five people live with some form of disability and this number increases with age. There are many different types of disability including physical, intellectual, sensory, learning, psychiatric or a combination of any of these. Some of these may be pre-existing disabilities, they can be disabilities due to health conditions like a stroke, or be part of the ageing process, such as dementia. If you have a disability, are over 65 years of age and currently receive support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), visit ndis.gov.au or phone 1800 800 110 to find out what services are available to you.

Special needs groups

Financially disadvantaged If you have genuine difficulty paying aged care fees and charges, financial hardship provisions may apply. These allow for your fees and charges to be reduced or waived. Financial hardship assistance applications will be considered on your overall financial circumstance including your total income and assets, your eligibility for a pension, and whether you have income or assets which you can use to pay your care fees. Homeless If you are currently homeless, or if you’re at risk of becoming homeless, there may be Government funded services available to you that can help solve your housing problems, or assist with financial or legal issues. The Homeless Supplement aims to better support the viability of residential aged care homes providing care to people who have a history of, or are at risk of, homelessness. LGBTIQ Through the National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Strategy, the Government aims to ensure lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning (LGBTIQ) people have access to the same opportunities and options in aged care that are available to all Australians. It is designed, not only to raise awareness of the issues, but also improve the ageing and aged care experience of LGBTIQ people, recognising and valuing the diversity of this group. The Rainbow Tick Accreditation program recognises the commitment of aged and community care organisations that have implemented LGBTIQ inclusive service delivery. Rainbow Tick Accreditation provides assurance to LGBTIQ consumers and staff that an organisation will be responsive to their needs. On pages 150–152 you’ll find a list of homes and services providing LGBTIQ appropriate services. Rural & Regional clients If you live in a rural or regional area it may be harder to access the aged care services that you need. Services offered in rural and regional areas will depend on the needs of the whole community and sometimes aged care, health and community services are combined to meet local health needs. Veterans Veterans have a ‘special needs’ status to support complex medical requirements that include the need for high levels of emotional and cultural support in old age, as a result of a veterans’ wartime experience. The Veterans’ Home Care program can help with in home support and the Veterans’ Supplement aims to improve access to residential aged care for veterans with mental health conditions. For more information, contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs on 133 254 or visit www.dva.gov.au.