On July 5th. J July 2023, Dr Berhan CEO Africause and Acting Chair of the “African Think Tank” (ATT) and Research Advisory Committee cofacilitated a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community forum in Footscray Metro West at Victoria University. Together with Dr Nthati Rametse Central Queensland University and principal project manager, Dr Berhan outlined each finding of the ATT research into anti-racism in aged care services for African Australians. The project was initiated and led by the Late Dr Apollo Nsubuga-Kyobe, former ATT deputy chairperson. The findings were met with vibrant discussion and concluded with a list of codesigned proposed solutions.
The key findings demonstrated significant gaps in the availability and accessibility of culturally appropriate age care services for African Australian seniors. Dr Berhan said, “This evidenced based research follows on from The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, 2021 findings and The Aged Care Diversity Framework launched in December 2017 by the Commonwealth Government.”
Dr Berhan continued, “Positive change is happening with the support of the Victorian Government Department of Family Fairness and Housing, and Melbourne Social Equity Institute (MSEI) at the University of Melbourne who partnered on this important research project.” He explained, “It is an honour to help Victoria’s continuing diversity success story with over half of the 6.5 million Victorians having at least one parent born overseas as shown by the 2021 Census”.
Dr Berhan describes the research as helpful in forging a sustainable way forward. He notes, “these anti-racism findings are in fact parallel for both the aged care service providers, and The African Australian and all CALD Victorians.” Dr Berhan and Dr Nthati Rametse said “the research highlighted the need to develop a Guide to assist both consumers and aged care service providers. The community, and aged care service providers have a role to play in the current challenge, and the way forward for ‘Positive ageing’ of everyone. Our research demonstrates both parties need to grow their awareness of the respective roles, rights, responsibilities, and due processes.”
The research showed African Australian, and CALD elders were unaware of their rights or available services to enable positive ageing which supports caring for elders at home.” The Research also showed a pattern of African Australian seniors facing barriers due to language and network barriers and create fear of engaging with the services available. This was exacerbated when there no trusted access to these services through connected CALD community groups and networks. Further reinforcing this barrier were the reports of culturally inappropriate behaviours and reporting mechanisms within aged care services for CALD or African Australian elderly. Dr Berhan said, “We are encouraging both groups to come half-way. Culturally appropriate education and related processes are needed for both parties to enable a safe and fair ageing journey.”
Dr Berhan and Dr Nthati Rametse argued that now is the time to come together and build mutual understanding and respect to codesign a safer and fairer aged care service for all Victorians elders. Their IMES research paper shows the: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2020) Australian population aged 65 and over has increased from 4.6% in 1922 to 16.2% in 2020. Thus, as of 30 June 2020, there were 4.2 million older Australians (65 years and over), comprising 16% of the total Australian population. Over 53% of people over 65 years were women. In Victoria, there were about 2.1% of people over 85 years (ABS, 2020). The ABS (2018) has earlier projected that by 2066, the Australian older population will be between 21%-23% of the Australian population.
Dr Berhan said, “Victoria’s population is diversifying, and ageing. This research therefore fills us with hope. It demonstrates the Victorian Government’s commitment to facilitate improvements with empirical, anti-racism data and case studies to inform client centred, culturally appropriate aged care services and policies and in doing so, build a better Victoria.”
For article related enquiries please contact Dr Nthati Rametse
rametse.nthati@gmail.com