National Aged Care Alliance
NACA Workforce Paper and Press Release
As the PICAC Alliance, we are pleased to share the latest position paper developed by the National Aged Care Alliance (NACA) on the critical and timely topic of the aged care workforce.
This paper reflects the exceptional leadership and collaborative efforts of the NACA Workforce Special Priority Group, with the PICAC Alliance being represented by Nikolaus Rittinghausen from PICAC Victoria.
You can access the full position paper here and the joint statement here. This important work continues to be a focus in NACA’s work plan, so stay tuned for further updates.
The need to accommodate the increasing cultural and linguistic diversity of older people and the care workforce is crucial for several reasons:
- Recognition of Unique Needs: Diverse populations have unique cultural and linguistic needs and preferences that must be recognised and respected in aged care services.
- Culturally Competent Care: Training programs should include components that focus on cultural competence, ensuring that all care workers, regardless of their background, can provide sensitive and appropriate care to older individuals from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
- Language Accessibility: It is essential to provide language support services, such as translation and interpretation, to ensure that older individuals who speak different languages can communicate effectively with their caregivers and access necessary services.
- Recruitment of a Diverse Workforce: Establishing strong partnerships with educational sectors can help attract a diverse workforce that reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of the older population, enhancing the overall quality of care.
- Inclusive Career Pathways: Developing clear career pathways that are accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds can encourage more people to enter the aged care sector, thereby enriching the workforce with varied perspectives and experiences.
- Community Engagement: Engaging older people from diverse backgrounds in the development of aged care services as respected partners in co-design ensures that their voices are heard, and their specific needs are met, leading to more personalised and effective care.
By addressing these elements, the aged care sector can create an inclusive environment that supports both the diverse needs of older people and the development of a well-rounded, culturally competent workforce.