Diversity in older Australians

The Australian Government's Living Longer Living Better reforms aims to address the needs of a diverse older population, and reflects growing acknowledgement that some populations are at risk of marginalisation and are likely to require additional support within the aged care system to ensure equitable access and care.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older Australians

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of Australia is not ageing in the same way as the non-Indigenous population. Although the number of Indigenous older Australians is rising, the population still has a relatively young age structure when compared with the non-Indigenous population. Because of this, and because the numbers of Indigenous older Australians are still relatively small, discussions on ageing in Australia may marginalise or exclude the needs of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Of community care residents at 30 June 2011, 4% of CACP clients, 2% of EACH clients and 1% of EACHD clients were of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin. 0.7% (1,127) of permanent aged care residents and just over 1% (47) of respite residents identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, which is lower than their percentage in the population as a whole.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse older Australians

Not all older Australians were born in Australia or have English as their preferred language. Language barriers can lead to difficulties in communicating individual needs and preferences or understanding about the type and availability of aged care services on offer.

Of community aged care clients in the programs reported on at 30 June 2011, the highest proportion of clients born overseas were EACHD care recipients (44%). 37% of EACH clients were born overseas, and 34% CACP clients.

Of the three programs, EACHD also had the greatest proportion of clients born in non-English speaking countries (19%) followed by 15% of EACH clients and 15% of CACP.

Of residential aged care residents, over a quarter (29%) of permanent residents and respite residents (32%) reported being born overseas.

English was the preferred language for the majority of residents in aged care at 30 June 2011 (90% for both permanent and respite residents). The most common other preferred languages were those from Southern and Eastern Europe (around 7%). Australian Indigenous languages were preferred by a substantial proportion of residents in the Northern Territory (25% of permanent residents and 26% of respite residents).

Older Australians with dementia

Dementia is estimated to be a leading cause of burden of disease in Australians aged 75 years and over. Dementia is a progressive disorder that affects memory, understanding and reasoning. It impacts on a person's capacity to live independently, and often results in high care needs in the long term.

The growing prevalence of dementia, and the associated need for high level care and support, means that there are likely to be significant increases in demand for residential aged care and community care places in Australia in the coming years.

Younger Australians in aged care

Where appropriate services are not locally available, a younger person with disability (aged less than 65 years) may be eligible for community aged care or accepted into residential aged care.

At 30 June 2011, clients under 65 years of age made up 4% of CACP clients, 6% of EACH clients and 5% of EACHD clients. There were 6,371 permanent aged care residents under the age of 65 years, accounting for around 4% of permanent residents.

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex older Australians (GLBTI)

The Productivity Commission Inquiry report Caring for Older Australians raises awareness of the implications of gender identity and sexual preference for aged care service provision in Australia's diverse older population. The report notes that many GLBTI older Australians currently accessing aged care services have, at some time in their life, experienced real threat of discrimination on the basis of sexual identity. The relative invisibility of these individuals within the aged care service sector may have a negative impact the wellbeing and standard of care they receive. Improving awareness and education within the sector may help to ensure that aged care services are sensitive to the needs and preferences of older Australians and are delivered respectfully.

Socially disadvantaged older Australians

Caring for Older Australians (2011) identifies a number of groups of older Australians who experience access difficulties or even exclusion from services, as a result of a range of factors including homelessness, incarceration, disability, alcohol and/or drug dependencies, and or long term illness. Australians experiencing social disadvantage can require aged care services at an earlier age than the general population, are less likely to have support networks or an informal carer and may be challenging for service providers to engage with.

Veterans

Veterans and their families can be affected physically and psychologically as a result of their service experiences. In addition this group have specific social needs that include attendance at commemorative events and observance of special days. Currently eligible veterans are able to access services through the Department of Veterans' Affairs in addition to those services available through mainstream aged care. However, there may be difficulties for veterans related to accessing services provided across various departments.