Twentieth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

On the 1st July 2019, in response to an increasingly diverse ageing population, the Australian Government introduced Aged Care Quality Standards. Diversity is woven through the Standards and cultural safety is at the core of supporting older Australians to maintain their identity and culture. Bolton Clarke is an international not-for-profit provider of aged care services in people’s homes, Retirement and Residential Aged Care services. At Bolton Clarke delivering care and services that are culturally safe is about understanding, respecting, and meeting the needs and expectations of consumers. It also means that consumers feel safe in their experience of aged care services and they can share their diverse characteristics and life experiences without fear of discrimination. The aim of the project is to work with a team of internal stakeholders to highlight the importance of cultural safety. The project was conducted between July-December 2019. It comprised a literature review, analysis of Australian Government Aged Care Quality Standards and in-depth interviews. A multi-skilled team lead by the National Diversity Manager was established to identify, understand, and support cultural safety. A comprehensive client story is shared that reveals the importance of providing culturally safe aged care services for Australians with diverse characteristics and life experiences. It highlights that if older Australians do not receive culturally safe services they will: not share with aged care services; not accept aged care services; and/or stop receiving aged care services.