Resource Updates

Arabic resources updated

The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing has just released updated versions of key Arabic translated documents to assist in the provision of culturally inclusive care.

The guides include options in aged care, resident handbooks for high, low and high and low care, residential care and services guides and a list of key contacts, all presented in a bilingual format.

The documents can be downloaded here:

Bilingual Options in Aged Care

Bilingual Resident Handbook – High Care

Bilingual Resident Handbook – Low Care

Bilingual Resident Handbook – High and Low Care

Residential Care and Services Guide – Low Care

Residential Care and Services Guide – High Care

Contacts in Aged Care

Signage

Glossary of Aged Care Terminology

 

New Guide – Working with Bilingual Workers in Aged Care

It is not uncommon for aged care providers to employ staff with bilingual skills within a variety of roles and professions.  Recognising and tapping into these language skills can be an enormous asset in any aged care setting. When well-managed, these valuable skills can be effective in bridging communication barriers with clients who speak a language other than English.

However, whilst most aged care providers would readily acknowledge the benefits of employing staff who speak languages other than English, there are few guidelines or policies underpinning the use of these language skills within the workplace, and moreover, little consideration given to the organisational support required to ensure that staff are able to use their language skills to maximum effect.

Drawing on best practice initiatives across other sectors, the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing has developed a step-by-step Guide for aged care providers to assist them in harnessing the bilingual skills of their staff and maximising their effect within the workplace. The Guide provides an overview of key issues to consider in terms of human resource management, risk minimisation and improving service outcomes. It also outlines strategies for instituting policies, protocols and procedures, undertaking staff development and training and identifying resource implications.

The Guide to Working with Bilingual Staff' in Aged Care is now available.

 

ECCV 'Ageing and Cultural Diversity Strategy'

Eccv has released its Ageing and Cultural Diversity Strategy, 2011. It includes recommendations to improve the aged care services for Victoria’s growing multicultural ageing population and covers a range of ethnic aged care issues including community care, residential aged care, workforce diversity, ethnic carer support, elder abuse prevention and positive active ageing.

Download the Ageing and Cultural Diversity Strategy, 2011.

 

 

Indian Cultural Information Booklet Launched

A new resource Indian Cultural Information for Aged Care Providers has been developed by the Australian Asian Association. The booklet was officially launched by Mrs Olga Ramasamy, CEO of Australian Asian Association at a recent Indian cultural day seminar.

Presenters at the seminar included senior Indians of WA, who covered  topics such as: diversity of India with accent on cultural diversity; concept of family – traditions, customs and beliefs; food, rites, festivals and rituals; death and dying.

This booklet is a great resource for service providers/health professionals as it provides information on the Indian settlement
in WA, demographics, languages, customs and values, attitudes – issues with ageing, disability and mental illness, death and palliative care, beliefs and other cultural considerations.

Download the Indian Cultural Information for Aged Care Providers booklet.
 

New Report - Awareness of Incontinence in Ethnic Communities

This new report developed by the Continence Foundation of Australia is now available. It highlights key findings and recommendations from consultation with 10 ethnic communities about their awareness of incontinence.

The report- Awareness of Incontinence in Ethnic Communities was launched by the Honourable David Davis MP, Minister for Health and Minister for Ageing on the 12th May 2011. It is an outcome of a project funded by the Victorian Government Department of Health, Aged Care Branch and the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation.

The project aimed to:

  • Identify continence perceptions, needs and issues amoung specific ethnic communities
  • Increase awareness of incontinence within a cultural context in specific ethnic communities and among community and health organisations

The ten ethnic communities consulted include Arabic speaking, Chinese, Italian, Greek, Macedonian, Spanish speaking, Polish, Russian, Turkish and Vietnamese.

Download the Awareness of Incontinence in Ethnic Communities report.

 

ITALIAN LANGUAGE POCKET GUIDE - A guide to basic Italian words and phrases for aged care workers.

In 2010 Co.As.It. Italian Association of Australia NSW CPP project developed a language guide to assist aged care workers in their communication needs with their senior Italian clients.

The guide is aimed at staff in both community care and residential care settings. It is a sturdy pocket-size booklet which is ring bound and laminated. It is durable, practical to use and easy to carry.
Content is divided into key sections: pronunciation tips; greetings; numbers; family and personal history; leisure activities; outings; food/shopping; personal care; body and health, medical information; a labelled diagram of a human body; client questions; cultural tips and a map of Italy with its regions.

This resource is for sale at $10 inclusive of GST (Postage costs apply). For more information or to order please contact CPP officers at Co.As.It. on (02) 9564 0744 or via email on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

New Bilingual Resources

The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing has recently released a series of new bilingual resources. Designed to assist aged care providers to communicate important information to clients who speak languages other than English, each resource is available for easy download in 20 languages.

Residential Care and Services Guide
This guide is designed to assist residents and their families with information regarding the range of hotel and care services they can expect from a residential aged care facility. It is available in high care and low care versions to suit the needs of individual clients.

Community Care Client Guides: CACP, EACH and EACHD
These guides are designed to assist CACP, EACH and EACHD clients to familiarise themselves with the services and broader support available to them. They provide an overview of key information regarding each type of package.

Communication Cards
The Communication Cards are a series of words with matching photographs depicting a wide range of daily activities and situations in aged care settings. They have been designed as a tool for enhancing communication with people in their preferred language and can be used to prompt discussion, assist with directions, clarify a client’s needs, check understanding, etc.

Aged Care Signage
This package of bilingual signs is designed for aged care facilities and other services to assist their clients to navigate their way around a home or service. Signage such as ‘Kitchen’, ‘Dining Room’, ‘Recreation Room’, ‘Keep Out’, ‘Danger’ and ‘This Way to the Garden’ help to minimise confusion and miscommunication among residents/clients.

These new resources are a great addition to the Centre’s other online bilingual resources – the highly popular Resident Handbook and Options in Aged Care.


 

New Translated Continence Information Factsheets

The Department of Health and Ageing has now completed the update of the translated factsheets about incontinence. Factsheets are now available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese (traditional and simplified), Croatian, Dinka, Dutch, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Macedonian, Maltese, Persian, Polish, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish and Vietnamese.

The factsheets are available on the Department of Health and Ageing Bladder and Bowel website.

 

Aged Care Information Sheets now available in 17 languages

The Department of Health & Ageing 'Aged Care Information Sheets' have provided aged care information to older Australians and their carers since 1997. A number of Information Sheets have now been translated into 17 languages as a trial project. The Information Sheets can be accessed online at www.health.gov.au and have been translated into languages such as

  • Arabic
  • Chinese Simplified
  • Chinese Traditional
  • Croatian
  • Dutch
  • Filipino
  • German
  • Greek
  • Hungarian
  • Italian
  • Macedonian
  • Maltese
  • Polish
  • Russian
  • Serbian
  • Spanish
  • Vietnamese

 

Feedback is sought from older people and their carers about the translated Information Sheets. If you wish to provide any feedback please contact the Project Manager at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or fax to 02 6289 3566. Any feedback will be considered so the Department of Health and Ageing can continue to improve access to aged care services for all Australians

Click here for the translated Aged Care Information Sheets

 

Victorian Multicultural Commission Community Grants Program 2011 - Now Open

Victorian Multicultural Commission Community Grants Program 2011 is now open. There are five categories available to apply for. Applications close on 17th December 2010. 

For more information, call the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356 on any weekday between 9am and 5.00pm (except Public Holidays). You can also visit www.multicultural.vic.gov.au for application forms and more information.

 

Palliative Care Resources in 21 Languages

To coincide with National Palliative Care Week, Palliative Care Australia has released three of its most popular consumer resources in 21 languages: What is palliative care?, Facts about morphine, and Asking questions can help. Click here for more information on these and other resources including information on ordering.
 

Unveiling the Myths and Misconceptions about Islam and Muslims in Australia

Gateways Support Services and Diversitat (Geelong) are proud to present 'Unveiling the Myths' interactive forum on 1st July 2010 at Geelong West Town Hall Supper Room. The forum will take place from 11:00am-12:30pm (Registrations open at 10:30am) and costs $5.

"To enhance cultural awareness in your work practices, this is an interactive forum not to be missed!" Click here for more information.

 

 

Senior of the Year Award 2010

We all know at least one older person whose achievements and service to our community are truly inspirational. The annual Victorian Senior of the Year Awards are about acknowledging and celebrating inspirational Victorian Seniors.

If you know an ordinary senior who does extraordinary things in your community then nominating them for an award is a great way to thank them for the work they do.

Anyone can make a nomination. Find out how to nominate for this year’s Victorian Senior of the Year Awards by visiting the Office of Senior Victorians Website