News

CALD Mental Health Carers Survey

Created: Thursday, 19 January 2012 14:32

The Mental Health Council of Australia is conducting a survey to find out more about the experiences and thoughts of culturally and linguistically diverse mental health carers. The MHCA has had the current Mental Health Carers Survey translated into 4 languages Arabic, Chinese, Italian and Greek.

This survey forms part of an ongoing project to find out about the lives of mental health carers during the previous 12 months. Responses will form part of the Mental Health Carers Report 2011/12.

The more people who have input the stronger the voice will be to influence government and bureaucrats of the need for adequate and appropriate mental health services for all cultural groups.

Click on the following links to download the surveys in Italian, Greek, Arabic, Chinese, and English.

There is a separate survey for young carers of people with a mental illness.

The Mental Health Council of Australia is the peak body for mental health in Australia and aims to improve the experience of people who have a mental illness and the people who look after them (family or friends).

For more information visit www.MHCA.org.au.

Cultural Diversity in Ageing 2012 website launched

Created: Tuesday, 10 January 2012 09:26

The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing is excited to announce the launch of the 2012 conference website.

On 7-8 June 2012, the Centre will host the Cultural Diversity in Ageing 2012 Conference at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The conference will once again bring together people with a broad range of interests within the aged care sector including industry representatives, providers, practitioners, educators, researchers and consumer advocates to discuss and explore responses and best practice initiatives addressing the needs of our culturally diverse ageing population.

The conference theme of ‘Stories to Inspire’ will provide delegates with an opportunity to take a unique and creative approach to cultural diversity in ageing, and encourage people to consider the stories of ethnic communities, aged care services and staff, carers and of course stories of ageing migrants in the community.

The call for abstracts and registrations are now open. Visit the conference website to see more.

Diversional Therapy workshop to be held in Melbourne

Created: Thursday, 22 December 2011 15:31

Diversional Therapy Australia is holding a workshop on Monday 30 January 2012 in Melbourne with a variety of informative and interactive education sessions for participants.

Session topics include ventriloquist dolls in music therapy programs, resources for leisure programming for clients from cultural backgrounds, community inclusion programs fostering tolerance and understanding and more.

Participants will also have opportunities to network with other Diversional Therapists and recreation staff, as well as ask questions to a panel of industry representatives.

The full day workshop will be held at Clifton’s Melbourne from 9am until 4.30pm. Registrations are $80 for DTA students, $150 for non-members and $110 for DTA members (all GST inclusive).

Registrations are limited, so book your place by calling 02 9887 5035.

New Gen 08 Report on Older Jewish Australians Released

Created: Wednesday, 23 November 2011 10:38

A new report released by Jewish Care and the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University, outlines the issues facing the community.

Older Jewish Australians represents a first time collation of census data and survey findings, to provide detail and direction for planning.

Professor Andrew Markus, of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University and the report’s lead author, commented that “Australia’s Jewish community has a far higher proportion of people aged over 65-84 than the general community and that proportion will increase substantially; for example, Victoria’s Jewish population aged 75-84 is projected to increase from 4,130 in 2021 to 7,469 in 2031 – an 81 percent increase over the decade. This will place significant pressure on the community’s resources and funding.”

The report, the third in the GEN08 project which was established to consider change over the next twenty years, shows clear need for Jewish organisations to work in partnership with one another and with government to create a system that continues to be responsive to the distinctive and diverse needs of the community.

Professor Markus notes that religious and ethnic diversity within the Jewish population raise additional complications for the provision of culturally appropriate care and support. Read more

Download Report

Ageing in Australia Expo a Success!

Created: Tuesday, 22 November 2011 15:02

On Saturday 12 November 2011, the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing hosted the inaugural ‘Ageing in Australia: Cultural Diversity in Aged Care Expo’. Targeted at people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Melbourne, the free expo aimed to provide information about aged care and support services available in Australia.

Over 30 exhibitors specialising in aged care services and health initiatives took part in the event, including:

ADEC (Advocacy, Disability, Ethnicity, Community), Alzheimer’s Australia/Victoria, Australian Greek Welfare Society, Australian Hearing, Australian Multicultural Community Services, Benetas, beyondblue, Blue Cross, Brotherhood of St Laurence, Care Connect, Carers Victoria, Centrelink, Chelsea Manor, Chinese Community Social Services Centre Inc, Department of Health, Elder Rights Advocacy, Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, Fronditha Care, Macedonian Community Welfare Services Inc, MS Australia, Palliative Care Victoria, Retirement Village Association, Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), The Centre for Philippine Concerns Australia Inc, Victorian Continence Resource Centre and Victorian PICAC and CPP funded organisations.

It is estimated that over 400 people attended the expo with an overwhelmingly positive response from participants.

Interpreters were made available to help with communicating with exhibitors, and a number of multicultural musical performances took place throughout the afternoon.

The event was considered a success by many, and provides a platform from which to both learn from and build to for future expos.

A big thank you to Polaron Language Services, Department of Health and Ageing and The City of Melboune for the support and for making the day possible.




Carers Victoria staff (left) with Ljubica Petrov from the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing


Tina Douvos from Australian Greek Welfare Society discusses aged care services with a group of seniors with the help of a Vietnemese language interpreter



The talented Mindy Wang performs the Chinese Guzheng

 

View more photos

New Filipino Cultural Guide

Created: Thursday, 10 November 2011 08:43

A new resource has been developed by Centre for Philippine Concerns Australia to assist aged care providers in delivering culturally appropriate care.

This resources aims to:

• Provide a cultural tool to guide residential care providers in planning for cultural celebrations with their residents.
• Explain the Filipino ways of caring, family traditions and culture.
• Address the language difficulties of ageing Filipino seniors especially those with memory changes and reverting back to their native language.
• Provide some case studies of Filipino seniors leadership in the community , their experience of using various forms of aged care services and how they maintain their independence at home and in the community.

Download the resource here.

For more information on the Centre for Philippine Concerns Australia, visit their website.

Ageing in Australia- Cultural Diversity in Aged Care Expo

Created: Wednesday, 21 September 2011 15:30

Do you need information about aged care services in Australia?

The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing presents a free special event which will help you and your loved ones learn about aged care services. You will be able to talk with service providers, receive free advice and collect multilingual information aimed at helping you to navigate the aged care system, as well as enjoying refreshments and special multicultural performances.

Interpreting services will be available on request.

Exhibitors include:

ADEC (Advocacy, Disability, Ethnicity, Community), Alzheimer’s Australia — Victoria, Arthritis Victoria, Australian Greek Welfare Society, Australian Hearing, Australian Multicultural Community Services, Benetas, beyondblue, Blue Cross,  Brotherhood of St Laurence, Care Connect, Carers Victoria, Centrelink, Chelsea Manor, Chinese Community Social Services Centre Inc., CO.AS.IT. , Continence Foundation of Australia — Victoria, Department of Health, Elder Rights Advocacy, Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria, Fronditha Care, MS Australia, Palliative Care Victoria, Retirement Village Association, Royal District Nursing Services (RDNS),  Victorian Continence Resource Centre, Victorian PICAC and CPP Funded Organisations.

Proudly sponsored by:





Australian Govenment, Department of Health and Ageing under the Partners in Culturally Appropriate Aged Care Program.

Register here