Supporting the Diverse Needs of Older People at the End of Life
Written by Dr Lenore de la Perrelle, Research Fellow, ELDAC
The Aged Care Act 2024 has recognised two additional groups of older people whose life experiences can make their care needs more complex:
- People who are deaf, deafblind, vision impaired, or hard of hearing.
- People who are neurodiverse.
These groups join the 11 previously recognised populations, highlighting the importance of providing tailored support for older Australians approaching the end of life.
Hearing and Vision Impairments
Many older people experience hearing and vision impairments and some experience both.
This can make communication during complex end-of-life discussions challenging.
Using interpreters in Auslan or other signed languages, along with assistive technologies such as translators, described text, hearing loops, and braille can make a real difference.
Read more or download the ELDAC Diverse Needs: People who are deaf, deafblind, vision-impaired or hard of hearing fact sheet.
Supporting Neurodiverse Older People
Neurodiverse older people may not have a diagnosis or helpful strategies to cope with changes in their lives.
At the end of life, some may struggle with mental health challenges and withdraw from overwhelming situations.
Adjusting the environment such as:
- turning down background noise and distractions
- lowering bright lighting
- or asking if you can touch them if that’s needed
and adapting communication can reduce stress and improve understanding.
Read more or download the ELDAC Diverse Needs: People who are neurodivergent fact sheet.
Your Feedback Helps Improve ELDAC Diversity resources
The ELDAC updates to all the diversity resources have been well received in aged care services. including rural palliative care support services.
'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are a main priority for us. I love the design and the layout. It's so easy to read” Virtual care Nurse.
Home Care services have been providing digital copies for staff working remotely.
'They're downloadable and our care workers can have them all on their phone. We service lots of really lower socioeconomic areas (so) that fact sheet was actually really good' Home Care Manager.
If you have some suggestions or examples of how you have used the Diversity resources, please email ELDAC so we can receive your feedback!
Dr Lenore de la Perrelle, Research Fellow, ELDAC