Community consultation on ageing

Members of the LGBTI community in Brisbane and Cairns have been invited by the National LGBT Health Alliance to add their voices to the discussion about ageing and aged care for the community.

The Alliance will be holding the consultations next week.

Queensland Association for Healthy Communities (QAHC) will help in facilitating the discussion.

The rate at which the older Australian population is growing has led to the federal government’s reform of the aged care sector. Under the National Health Reform plan, the government is shifting funding responsibility and policy for aged care services from the states and territories to a national approach.

The particular concerns and challenges faced by older LGBTI people are, for the first time, being recognised nationally with the development of a national LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Strategy to meet the needs of older LGBTI people and to ensure the services they require are provided.

The National LGBTI Health Alliance has been contracted by the Department of Health and Ageing to hold public consultations throughout the country to contribute to the national discussion. It will be an opportunity for community members and community groups to express their thoughts on ageing and aged care, and to influence future government policy.

The Health Alliance is looking for carers, family members, community group workers, aged care providers, experts and policy members along with anyone concerned from the LGBTI community to attend the consultations and voice their opinion.

Consultations are being held in Brisbane on October 11 and will be held at Riverside Receptions, 50 Oxlade Dr, New Farm. Cairns will also host a conference on October 12 at the Rydges, Tradewinds, 137 The Esplanade. Both days will run from 10am to 2pm and bookings are essential. They can be made to Steven Kennedy at [email protected] or (02) 8568 1110.

For further information, visit www.lgbtihealth.org.au/ageing