Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders
What is meant by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples or First Nations Australians are linguistically and culturally diverse, comprising hundreds of cultural groups with individual languages, histories and traditions. Health is viewed holistically, referring to social, emotional and cultural wellbeing. Each individual is encouraged to reach their potential, thus helping to bring about the total wellbeing of the community. The shared experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples groups with colonisation has contributed to poorer health outcomes than other Australians.
This information complements the Australian Government Department of Health’s Actions to Support Older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: a Guide for Aged Care Providers.
Key Organisations
Peak bodies, advocacy groups and other organisations involved in promoting the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders
ANTaR is a national advocacy organisation. This page focuses on the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Provides information, statistics, resources and training for health professionals and the general community about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. It includes workforce portals which focus on key topic areas such as chronic disease, environmental health and alcohol and other drugs.
Resources, videos and stories designed to increase understanding of the history and lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Campaign to close the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.
Professional body for remote and isolated health professionals in Australia, providing education, support and resources.
Advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with a disability and providing information about projects, news and publications.
Providing advocacy, information, resources, support and programs to address trauma experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and community through healing.
Links Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with government polices and programs.
National peak body representing Aboriginal health, providing advocacy, programs and resources to support Aboriginal health and wellbeing.
Information, resources and community networks for health workers and community members pertinent to alcohol and other drug usage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
For Consumers
Resources to use, together with consumers, to support older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Directory of South Australian Aboriginal Services.
Culturally sensitive HIV and sexual health education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, sistergirl/transgender or living with HIV.
Resources to support carers and families to help manage end-of-life symptoms for a person at home, specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Resources about bladder and bowel control designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Resources to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to cease smoking.
Designed to guide conversations about values and end-of-life care.
Online course designed for Indigenous people to learn how to manage depression and anxiety.
Information regarding diabetes suitable for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Resources to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to learn more about home care supports.
Information and resources regarding palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Help sheets regarding dementia designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
For Health Professionals
Information, resources, and educational programs to assist health professionals
Handbook to help health professionals support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with breast cancer.
Online course to create a greater awareness of the vast history and cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Resource providing practical, culturally sensitive considerations for palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Dementia awareness, information, and education appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Online hub for people working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. Provides information about Indigenous healing designed to support Indigenous Australians impacted by trauma such as forced removal.
Overview of the role and core aspects of spirituality in Indigenous Australian culture.
Information and strategies to manage the individual needs and wishes of those receiving palliative care.
Handbook to support health professionals to deliver a lung cancer awareness workshop for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Information for health professionals about appropriate palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Flipcharts and booklet for health professionals to help engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on the topic of prostate cancer.
Handbook to support health professionals to deliver a breast and gynaecological cancers workshop for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
Forums for health professionals working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health to share information, knowledge and experiences.
Reports and Policy
Research papers, reports, reviews and guidelines providing a deeper, evidence-based perspective
Resource providing an overview of smoking in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, and examining anti-tobacco programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Information package including information booklet, facilitator guide, PowerPoint presentation and video for those in aged care services. It assists health professionals to understand the role of early life experiences in the care of older people.
Resource outlining successful and unsuccessful approaches in engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including related to health programs.
Resource providing an overview of lifestyle-related chronic diseases, and describing physical activity and nutrition programs/services shown to be effective in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
Suicide prevention strategy incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, their families and communities holistic view of mental health.
Framework supporting the Closing the Gap initiative aimed at supporting health and wellbeing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through policy and practice.
