Prioritising the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples receiving home-based aged care: An exploratory study

Purpose

To explore community and workforce perspectives on how the Home Care Package (HCP) program supports the social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Methods

This qualitative design study included semi-structured interviews and a focus group with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples receiving an HCP (n = 15) and aged care workers providing service coordination to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (n = 7) across metropolitan, rural and remote areas of South Australia. Semi-structured interviews and the focus group took place between March 2022 and February 2023. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Main findings

Twenty-two participants were involved in this study. Seven themes representing how the HCP program supports, or could better support, the SEWB of clients were identified: 1) maintaining independence, 2) supporting grief and loss, 3) facilitating social connections, 4) promoting choice and control, 5) assessment and funding, 6) cross-sectoral support and 7) strengthening the workforce.

Principal conclusions

The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the unique SEWB needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples accessing home-based aged care services and have significant implications for current and future aged care reforms in Australia.