The second Elder Care Support National Yarning Circle is being held this week, bringing together experts from the sector to lead a culturally grounded and community-driven reform of aged care for Indigenous people.
Hosted on Kaurna Country, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) opened the Yarning Circle on Tuesday, building on the success of last year's event and celebrating the growing national workforce for Elder care and the critical role they play in reimagining care for older First Nations peoples.
NACCHO's Executive Director, Monica Barolits-McCab, said Elders from across the country "carry our culture, wisdom, and stories".
"Caring for them is a sacred responsibility, not simply a service. Through the Elder Care Support Program, we are transforming aged care by placing culture, connection to Country, and community at its heart," the Kungarakan woman said.
"This Yarning Circle is an opportunity to celebrate our progress, share stories of resilience, and collectively build the next chapter in Aboriginal-led aged care."
The two-day event will see frontline workers, health leaders, and policymakers share stories, solutions and strategies on dementia and aged care navigation surrounding the significant issue of an ageing population that continues to experience growing health inequities.
Delegates will focus on strengthening and expanding place-based solutions by prioritising cultural safety, wraparound support, and connection to Country.
Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner Andrea Kelly commended both NACCHO and Elder Care's work, arguing they are demonstrating how Indigenous-led care models can "shift the system".
"The Elder Care Support Program is helping to put culture, dignity, and connection at the centre of aged care, and is helping to address some of the barriers to accessing aged care that older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have shared with me," the Warumungu and Larrakia woman said.
"I'm grateful to be invited and stand alongside NACCHO, who deliver this important work, because it is necessary to ensure aged care reflects the strengths, knowledge, and priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people."
