Patterns and preferences for accessing health and aged care services in older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

Abstract

To determine preferences for health and aged care services in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and explore related factors. Methods: Mixed-method, cross-sectional study including 336 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 years and older from regional and urban areas. Results: Exclusive preference for Aboriginal Community Controlled services was most common. This preference significantly increased when preferences for, and use of, aged care and disability services were considered. The likelihood of holding an exclusive preference for Aboriginal Community Controlled services was higher in regional settings compared to urban and in those reporting lower engagement in traditional activities during childhood. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the majority of older Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people prefer aged and disability care provided by Aboriginal services. Given the anticipated increase in service demand in this population, there is a growing need for culturally safe services, particularly in regional settings.

Experience of Indigenous Peoples’ Access to Long-Term Care Services in Taiwan: A Qualitative Study among Bunun Tribes

“…Contrarily, constructing relations with individuals when service providers are outsiders with different languages and cultural backgrounds is difficult. This finding is consistent with the research findings of Larke et al and Topp et al [ 23 , 24 ]. This phenomenon shows that the reinforcement of culturally appropriate care improved accommodation to care [ 25 ], and that accordingly upgrading care services is also an important step in the direction of maintaining the quality of indigenous villages [ 26 ].…”

Smoking and quitting characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women of reproductive age: findings from the Which Way? study

“…This should include Aboriginal health service leadership in developing appropriate supports and resources. Over 70% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women reported Aboriginal health services as their preferred service provider 52 . These services should be resourced appropriately to offer tailored supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to be smoke‐free before, during and after pregnancy.…”

“…Over 70% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women reported Aboriginal health services as their preferred service provider. 52 These services should be resourced…”

Demographic drivers of the growth of the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with dementia, 2016–2051

“…Many older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people prefer to access health and aged care services through local Aboriginal community‐controlled health services, 26 and culturally appropriate models of dementia care suitable for implementation in such primary care settings have been co‐designed and implemented 27,28 . It is important that all health and aged care services seek to adopt Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander care frameworks which support the well‐being of older people living with dementia and their families, 21,25 work in partnership with local communities and organisations, integrate service delivery and respond flexibly to the diverse needs of Elders and older people 22,29 …”