Challenges and opportunities in creating culturally inclusive aged care teams
Release Date: 06/25/2024
Stories from culturally diverse personal care workers
One size does not fit all
Considering a career in aged care as a personal care worker? Tune in to Episode 4 of 'One Size Does Not Fit All'! In our latest episode, we speak to Connie Tuccitto from Spectrum and Wai Aung from Benetas, two inspiring personal care workers making a positive impact in the lives of older people. Join us as they share their heartfelt stories and insights straight from the studio. Discover what drives them in their roles, how they build trust with their clients, and their dedication to meeting diverse needs of clients. Connie tells us, "My clients make my day." ...
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Challenges and opportunities in creating culturally inclusive aged care teams
One size does not fit all
Our guest in this episode is Bevan Toerien, Executive General Manager at Spectrum Aged Care and Disability Services. Bevan is a vital member of Spectrum Executive Leadership Team and brings a wealth of experience and a profound commitment to improving aged and disability services. Bevan described the challenges and opportunities when on-boarding aged care workers and how Spectrum’s recruitment practices are a vital piece when it comes to attracting culturally diverse care workers. He proudly shared that Spectrum’s workforce speaks over 30 different languages and are committed to serving...
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Responding to racism experienced by aged care staff
One size does not fit all
Season 3 of our Podcast is focusing on supporting a culturally and linguistically diverse aged care workforce. In episode 2 we tackle the topic of racism experienced by aged care staff.In this episode our guest is our friend and long term supporter of The Centre, Professor Bianca Brijnath, Director of Social Gerontology at the National Aging Research Institute (NARI). Bianca has an in-depth understanding of issues related to racism experienced by aged care workers. She carried out related research, seminars, and various workshops and was interviewed by journalists on this topic. She tell...
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The changing face of care and supporting the wellbeing of the culturally diverse workforce
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Season 3 is focusing on supporting a culturally diverse aged care workforce. Episode 1 guest is Irene Blackberry, the John Richards Chair and the Director of the Care Economy Research Institute at La Trobe University. We asked Irene if there are best practice projects or innovative models to help people from new and emerging communities pursue a career in aged care. Irene told us that there are many courses of interest to migrants, such as courses offered by the Migrant Resource Centres that are related to Ageing and Disability Support. There are also programs offered by the NSW...
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Influencing change for seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
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In this episode we speak with 2 amazing guests who are passionate about speaking up to protect the rights of seniors from culturally & linguistically diverse backgrounds. Joe and Ananda talk about effective ways to engage with seniors from culturally & linguistically diverse backgrounds. They also share inspiring insights about what we can all do to influence change. ABOUT OUR GUESTS Ponniah Anandajayasekeram (Ananda) is involved with a number of community organisations working for the rights of seniors from culturally & linguistically diverse communities. He’s the...
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Places of Belonging and Connections for seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
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In episode three of season 2, we're speaking with Frank DiBlasi and Phil Peladarinos. Frank Di Blasi is a senior leader from the Italian community in Melbourne. He is originally from Vizzini in the province of Catania, Sicily, but has called Melbourne home for the past 60 years. Frank has a very long list of achievements that emphasise his commitment to his local community, as well as his Italian heritage and culture. Phil Peladarinos is the Team Leader - Care Management at Merri Health. Phil was born and raised in Greece and relocated to Australia in the mid-80s. Phil has a...
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Voices of senior leaders from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
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In today’s episode you will hear more about issues and experiences of older people from culturally diverse backgrounds shared by two senior leaders who actively participate in shaping the Australian aged care sector. Santosh Kumar who is the Treasurer of The Northern Federation of Ethnic Senior Citizens Clubs and is a well-travelled former RMIT Professor who has been very active in the community. He has worked in seven universities in various countries. He served as the National Vice President and the President of the Asia Pacific Operational Research Societies (APORS). He has received...
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Writing and authoring migration stories
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In this episode you will hear from Lella Cariddi who curated many migration stories which have significantly contributed to Victoria’s cultural and historic diversity. These stories earned her a 2022 Community History Award for Oral History. She has also worked closely with Multicultural Arts Victoria and various other organisations for which she has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. With us is also Con Pagonis who worked thirty years with the Australian government mainly in migration and multicultural affairs and spend another eight years as a Multicultural Policy Adviser...
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Uniting NSW.ACT approaches to diversity
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In this episode we have our special guests from Uniting NSW: Margaret Teuma and Lana Richards who have worked hard to design policies and programs that promote culturally appropriate care for seniors. Uniting is a great example of how to appropriately include inclusive and accessible care in the aged care sector. It's a great insight for anyone that works in the aged care sector!
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Prof Bianca Brijnath on dementia care research for CALD communities
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In this episode we are chatting with Prof Brijnath on her contribution to the aged care sector, her book and her work in Gerontology and culturally inclusive care. In 2022, Professor Bianca Brijnath won the Dr Olga Kanitsaki AM Award for Individual Excellence, for her work to improve quality of life for older culturally and linguistically diverse Australians as well as leading four national projects to increase awareness of dementia prevention and care. Stay tuned for this lovely chat with Prof Bianca!
info_outlineOur guest in this episode is Bevan Toerien, Executive General Manager at Spectrum Aged Care and Disability Services. Bevan is a vital member of Spectrum Executive Leadership Team and brings a wealth of experience and a profound commitment to improving aged and disability services.
Bevan described the challenges and opportunities when on-boarding aged care workers and how Spectrum’s recruitment practices are a vital piece when it comes to attracting culturally diverse care workers. He proudly shared that Spectrum’s workforce speaks over 30 different languages and are committed to serving the diverse seniors’ community in a meaningful way.
Bevan is dedicated to organisational processes and systems which makes hiring and retaining staff easier as he understands the complexity and sensitivity when it comes to navigating and supporting culturally diverse care teams.
When discussing Spectrum’s approach in creating cohesion in the workplace, he adds, ‘Being culturally inclusive is in our DNA, it’s who we are. ’
Tune in to listen to the full episode.