news
Curbing elder abuse
Advocate calls for new approach to
random inspections in aged care.
A
new not-for-profit organisation
is calling for the government to
allow community-based retired
health professionals, social workers
and advocates to undertake random
inspections of aged care facilities to curb
elder abuse.
Greysafe, which was set up early this year
and aims to prevent the abuse, neglect and
exploitation of older Australians, will write
to Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt urging
him to hire an independent team of ‘Grey
Guardians’ across Australia.
The organisation’s chief executive
and founder, Michael Riley, said the new
scheme would improve transparency
around the reporting process.
“The Australian Aged Care Quality
Agency (AACQA) can continue to do the
accreditation process, but this inspection
scheme that we’re proposing would
allow a bit more confidence from the
community that there are more inspections
taking place, and that they’re happening
independently of any agency that’s doing
the accreditation process,” Riley said.
UNDER THE SCHEME:
• T
he federal government would set
a minimum quota for the number of
inspections needing to take place across
all parts of Australia.
• The government would call for
expressions of interest from retired
A leap of faith
An aged care provider has developed a
resources kit and delivered cultural awareness
and sensitivity training to staff members to
build Muslim people’s faith in aged care.
E
nsuring older Muslim Australians are connected to their
culture and open to the idea of aged care is the driving
force behind a range of new resources released by a South
Australian aged care provider.
ACH Group developed the Muslim Resources Kit as part of the
two-year Muslim Communities project, funded by the Department
of Health. Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt launched the
resources at the provider’s Daw Park facility.
Project lead Mahjabeen Ahmad worked with the Islamic
Society of South Australia and the Islamic Arabic Centre to design
doctors, nurses, social workers and
trained professional advocates to form
locally based teams of Grey Guardians,
who would undertake random
inspections to both assess and report
on the care and condition of aged care
residents and the facilities themselves.
• The Grey Guardians would report into
an independent office separate from
the AACQA.
• Guardians would be locally based in and
around their communities, be retired or
semi-retired and not currently employed
as an aged care assessor with AACQA.
• They would be paid a small stipend to
cover costs and would be available to
conduct inspections, if required, out of
office hours and on weekends.
• Interviews with residents, their families
and nursing staff would become the first
priority for random inspection visits.
Greysafe is also calling on the government
to publish a report card of the number of
assaults in aged care and the details of
aged care facilities that have failed to meet
100 per cent compliance with accreditation
and random inspection checks. ■
services that recognise and respect Muslim beliefs and practices.
As part of the project, ACH Group also developed and delivered
cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity training to more than
700 staff members.
ACH Group chief executive Ray Creen said the project sought to
build connections and the confidence of older Muslims and their
families to consider the option of aged care support.
Creen explained that it’s not typical for older Muslims to turn to
aged care as many have traditionally relied on family support.
“It is our desire to continue to work with older people of all faiths
and cultures to help them to be as healthy as they can be and to
live their best lives,” he said.
“Work continues to ensure we understand the unique needs of
people from diverse backgrounds to ensure they receive a tailored
response from ACH Group.”
The suite of resources developed explores Muslim history,
culture, beliefs and practices. It includes four fact sheets, a pocket
guide for support workers and four videos, all available online.
Wyatt said: “Staying connected to your heritage, and being cared
for by someone who understands your background, can make all
the difference to a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life.”
The minister established an Aged Care Sector Committee sub-
group to provide advice on the development of an Aged Care
Diversity Framework.
That framework, to be delivered to Wyatt in December, aims
to help identify the common barriers that may prevent people
accessing culturally appropriate aged care and how they can
be remedied.
“We live in the most successful multicultural nation on the
planet, and an important aspect of maintaining this success
is providing well-rounded support to all people in old age,”
Wyatt said. ■
agedcareinsite.com.au
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