Caring for our Elders

This chapter explores the health and wellbeing of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the factors that need to be considered in relation to their care, including chronic disease conditions, a shorter lifespan and culturally safe and appropriate aged care. We argue that Older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families make conscious decisions around care and that the role of nurses is to assist support individuals and their families in making informed decisions. We discuss the reasons. Reasons are presented that explain why some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may be viewed by some various health professionals as being non-compliant or disengaging in the health system and in relation to their on-going care, including palliative care, when in fact they are making conscious choices, which can be culturally defined and therefore can be defined as a cultural determinant of health.