The Department of Health and Aged Care sponsors the 2024 National First Nations Elders Conference

CAIRNS, Australia - Oct. 19, 2024 - PRLog -- The National First Nations Elder's Wellbeing Conference is a gathering that will unite Indigenous leaders, aged care professionals, NGOs, community-controlled organisations, government departments, Elders groups and community advocates from across Australia  which aims to empower First Nations Elders and enhance their wellbeing through culturally appropriate aged care solutions.

"Elders are the backbone of our communities," said Thomas Callaghan, chief executive officer of ICS Australia. This conference is a vital opportunity for us to discuss how we can ensure we receive the respect, dignity, and choices we deserve in aged care. This conference is an opportunity to emphasize the integration of culturally appropriate practices and the significance of community-led initiatives.

As such, the Australian Government is working to improve aged care so that older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access culturally safe services from First Nations providers and workers that provides aged care support for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that ensures culturally safe care across the aged care journey by partnering with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) to roll out the Elder Care Support Program, helping older First Nations people to navigate and access aged care supports in their communities, funding the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program, which supports older First Nations people who want to stay on their Country/Island Home to access aged care, investing more money in better aged care services in rural and remote areas, working with First Nations organisations to support flexible approaches to aged care that help ensure providers remain viable, growing the workforce through the Indigenous Employment Initiative and developing a First Nations Aged Care Workforce Action Plan.

Similarly, changes to in-home aged care will be happening from July 2025. Under the new program, there will be improved access to services, equipment and home modifications to help older people stay healthy, active and connected to their community. Older people with more complex needs will have access to higher levels of care, helping them to stay home for longer.

You can hear from the department at the 2024 National First Nations Elder's Wellbeing: Greater Choices for Aged Care Conference. Furthermore, ICS Australia is offering cost-effective 3-for-2 group discount when organisations register two staff, the 3rd staff is FREE. To register and for the full details about the conference, please visit www.icsconferences.org