Welcome to the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing e-newsletter, bringing you the latest news, resources and examples of best practice. We thank you for subscribing and invite you to share your ideas and developments so that together we can improve the quality of life for older Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. You can also visit the news section of our website for regular updates from us.

Throughout spring, the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing will host a number of professional development workshops for people working in the aged care sector to assist in the provision of culturally inclusive care.

These interactive workshops will cover themes in dementia care, continence care, and residential and community care and are the result of collaborations with the Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS) and the Victorian Continence Resource Centre. 

Workshops include:

• ‘Speaking My Language' - Best practice in understanding behaviours of people with dementia from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
  Wednesday 10 October (REGISTRATIONS CLOSED)
   
• Continence Care of Older People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds
  Tuesday 30 October
   
• Introduction to Culturally Inclusive Aged Care
  Tuesday 20 November

Visit our website for more information and to register

 

On Monday 24 September, the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing launched a new resource to assist in the delivery of culturally inclusive training titled ‘Ageing in Australia: The Immigrant Experience’. The Minister for Multicultural Affairs Senator Kate Lundy launched the production at a special event at The Immigration Museum.

The DVD production features four people from different migrant backgrounds approaching the later stages of life sharing their migration experiences, reflections of living in Australia and their hopes as they age in Australia.

The 20-minute production is available to purchase, and is a valuable tool for organisations and services seeking to enhance their training and delivery of culturally inclusive care.

To view photos from the launch, visit our Facebook page.

To purchase copies of the DVD, visit our website.

The Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy with the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing team

Ljubica Petrov, Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing (left) with the four people featured in the production at the launch

To celebrate the start of Victorian Senior’s Festival 2012, the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing will be hosting a stall at the Victorian Seniors Festival Opening Day at Federation Square on Sunday 7 October.

The event, aimed at seniors and their friends and family, runs from 10.30am until 4pm and includes music, performances and displays. We will be talking with the public about aged care services in Australia, and distributing bilingual information in 17 different languages.

We’ll also have some bilingual aged care professionals helping us with communication on the day from organisations including:

• Brotherhood of St Laurence (Greek)
• Australian Croatian Community Services (Croatian)
• Australian Multicultural Community Services (Polish)
• Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association (Vietnamese)
• Chinese Community Social Services Centre Inc. (Chinese)
• Other languages available to assist the public are Serbian and Italian

We will be located along the banks of the Yarra, right next to Federation Square at marquee no. 98 / 99. We’d love for you to come down and say hello, or tell other people who you think may be interested in finding out more about aged care services in their language to visit our stall.

If the sun is shining on the day, the event organisers expect over 15,000 seniors and their family and friends to be in attendance.

You can see more information about the Opening Day Festival at the Senior’s Week website. And don’t forget - public transport is free for Victorian Seniors Card holders throughout the duration of the festival.

The free Ageing in Australia: Cultural Diversity in Aged Care Expo will take place at the Melbourne Town Hall on Saturday 27 April 2013.

Aimed at people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the expo will bring together many of Victoria’s leading aged care and related service providers in the one place to discuss options available to people as they age. Interpreters will also be available on the day to assist in communication between exhibitors and the public.

Following on from the success from the inaugural event in 2011, this event will be bigger and better with more exhibitors in a larger venue.

Organisations interested in taking part in the 2013 event should contact Danyel Walker of the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing on 03 8823 7989 or danyel@culturaldiversity.com.au.

Audio is now available from Palliative Care Victoria’s 8th biennial conference - Shaping the Future of Palliative Care – held in Melbourne on 23rd and 24th August 2012.

Health literacy, teach back methods, cultural responsiveness, talking about values, advance care planning, and electronic health records were identified as important enablers of communication in a panel discussion on improving communication on the subject of dying and death.

Listen here

The Australian Human Rights Commission has released the Respect and choice: A human rights approach for ageing and health position paper, that outlines a human rights approach for the implementation of the federal government’s new aged care reform package, Living Longer Living Better.

Age Discrimination Commissioner Susan Ryan launched the report, and said it’s important the increase in assistance for Australia’s ageing population through the new package is available, accessible, appropriate, of good quality, and that effective monitoring systems are implemented to ensure accountability.

“Put simply, we are talking about ensuring that older people have choices in care, are provided with information about what is happening to them and have their privacy protected,” Commissioner Ryan said. “Whether care is being provided at home or in residential facilities, providers need training that creates respect for the religious choices, sexual orientation and cultural backgrounds of the older people in their care.”

The Respect and choice paper is available on the Australian Human Rights Commission’s website.

Each year, the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) holds a series of community consultations to provide an open forum for comment on the Victorian Government’s current programs, services and policies, as outlined in Victorian Government Initiatives and Reporting in Multicultural Affairs 2010-2011.

The consultations are an opportunity for the VMC to share information on key developments in multicultural affairs, and provide feedback to you on matters raised at last year’s consultations.
The community consultations are an integral part of the Whole-of-Victorian-Government reporting process, which is enshrined in the Multicultural Victoria Act 2011 (MVA).

VMC is encouraging the public to examine Victorian Government Initiatives and Reporting in Multicultural Affairs 2010-2011 and to attend a community consultation close to you.
There will be twelve consultations across the state, which will conclude on 25 October 2012.

Visit the Victorian Multicultural Commision website for more information.

In 2012 Adelaide’s Hellenic Cultural Festival Odyssey enters its 7th year as the Greek Orthodox Community of SA inc. presents a series of exciting arts and cultural events over three weeks from Saturday 22 September to Saturday 13 October, 2012.

Throughout the duration of the festival, Olympic Hall (cnr Franklin & West Terrace), will be transformed into an indoor plaza ‘Plateia’ with kafe and exhibition space. Eight exhibitions including the works of renowned Greek artist Takis Moriatis titled ‘Memories From Home’.

Events include two weeks of school holiday fun, lectures, a short film night, the 'Show Us Your Kefi Youth Talent Showcase', a 'Great Greek Debate' with George Donikian as host, a musical journey through Greece finale, and a 'Big Fat Proxy Wedding'. Plus the inaugural 'Odyssey In The City' two day Greek street festival in Franklin street on the October long weekend – featuring food, wine, music and dance as well as international acts.

Join in on the ‘journey’ in 2012 – look out for our brochures and posters or check out this years program online at www.odysseyfestival.com.au

To coincide with the start of the Spring Racing Carnival, Celebration of Life proudly presents 'A Day at the Races' at St Kilda Town Hall on Thursday November 8 at 1pm. The dance, which is held a few times each year in Collingwood, is heading to the south side this  time and is expected to be a fun-filled afternoon.

Residents from aged care facilities and family and friends are invited to join the Australian Army Band for some socialising, dancing and afternoon tea. This is a great opportunity to form new friendships, catch up with the regulars of these special events, and just enjoy the music and have a good time.

Bookings are essential! For more information, contact Paul Brophy on 03 9489 3000.

Creativity Australia’s With One Voice community inclusion choirs bring a sense of celebration and purpose through their shared stories and song.

The With One Voice choir program enables individuals to discover their creative voice, connect with their community, increase wellbeing and unlock potential. No singing experience is required – it’s all about social inclusion, creating wellness and lifting voices and spirits.

Members of the program are an incredibly diverse bunch, ranging in age, cultural background, health and economic position. Choir sessions have become a place for local residents and employees to find their voice, make friends and help others with communication, confidence and even employment pathways. Casual mentoring and networking is encouraged, often happening over the supper that follows each singing session.

Membership is free for healthcare and disability cardholders and by tax-deductible donation for the employed.

Creativity Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that uses creative programs to enhance wellbeing, social inclusion, innovation and productivity for individuals, organisations and communities.

The best way to hear about the programs (apart from the rehearsals themselves) is to see the video clips. Experience this for yourself - check out the video gallery, website or Facebook page and listen to this ABC ‘Life Matters’ interview on the programs. Better still, join a choir most convenient to you.

For more information and to to join a choir near you, visit the Creativity Australia website.

 

Cultural Diversity Poses Challenges
Aged Care Insite, August/September 2012

My Brilliant Career: Ljubica Petrov
Australian Ageing Agenda, July-/August 2012

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The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing is a Victorian-based organisation supporting the aged care sector to address the needs of older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

We encourage you to contribute to our e-newsletter. Please submit your culturally inclusive initiatives, projects, resources and upcoming events. We would love to hear from you.

Email us at: info@culturaldiversity.com.au