Tackling dementia in ATSI communities
A lack of cultural awareness among aged care staff and service providers is creating barriers in accessing appropriate dementia services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people.
A lack of cultural awareness among aged care staff and service providers is creating barriers in accessing appropriate dementia services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people.
Fred Tanner, chairperson of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dementia Advisory Group (NATSIDAG), made the statement recently in the lead up to a national workshop, titled Continuing the Conversation, attended by 50 health and aged care workers and people with dementia from ATSI communities.
“ATSI people also experience barriers in accessing appropriate dementia and aged care services and supports. There is a lack of cultural awareness for staff and service providers and inflexibility in the delivery of services, particularly for people residing in rural and remote areas,” Mr Tanner says.
“Dementia frequently leads to isolation and often goes unrecognised by health workers and service providers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” he adds.
ATSI communities are affected by dementia at a rate three to five times higher than the general Australian population and these rates are increasing.
Finding better ways to tackle dementia in these communities should be a national priority, according to Carol Bennett, Alzheimer’s Australia chief executive.
“Alzheimer’s Australia has already committed to ensuring that the needs of ATSI people are met in all aspects of service provision, information, support and education,” Ms Bennett says.
“Education and training for ATSI people and communities, health workers and service providers will clearly play an important role in raising awareness of dementia and the lifestyle risk factors associated with the disease. This is why this workshop is so important.”
Alzheimer’s Australia last year launched a resource, Your Story Matters, to educate ATSI communities on the steps they can take to reduce their risk of developing dementia.
“We look forward to rolling out other innovative programs such as this to continue to increase the awareness of dementia. This workshop gives us an opportunity,” Ms Bennett says.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dementia Advisory Group (NATSIDAG) provides Alzheimer's Australia with ongoing consultation and advice to improve services and support for ATSI communities.
Access the Alzheimer’s Australia’s Your Story Matters resource.
