Aged care support for Deaf and hard of hearing Victorians

Deaf people who use sign language to communicate face a number of barriers in accessing quality aged care services. This multi-pronged project worked with Deaf consumers of aged care services; older Deaf people not currently consuming services and service providers in both the Home and Community Care (HACC) and residential aged care sectors to better identify the needs of this client group and potential models for service delivery.

The project produced a report and fed into a number of policy submissions the Victorian Deaf Society has made in the aged care space, as well as producing an academic article. Research identified a number of systemic challenges faced by people ageing with a disability, since many disability-support organisation are not funded to support people once they reach 65 (at which point they are considered the responsibility of the aged care sector). The research has seen the Victorian Deaf Society expanding its lobbying in addressing these challenges and also working with aged care providers to more efficiently and productively provide services to this marginalised client group.

Chief Investigator Dr Louisa Willoughby

Funder Ian Rollo Currie Estate Foundation

Other Partners The Victorian Deaf Society

Date of Award 2011