The organisation met all six Rainbow Tick Standards for its commitment to being aware, responding to and understanding the needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community.

Eldercare Chief Executive Jane Pickering said this outstanding achievement shows members of the LGBTI community that Eldercare is a safe and welcoming place.

“We are incredibly proud to receive the Rainbow Tick – and to have received accreditation on our first attempt is a testament to the absolute commitment of the Eldercare team to ensure everyone is welcomed and included,” said Jane.

Jane said older LGBTI people are often fearful that they will face discrimination when receiving aged care services.

Receiving Rainbow Tick accreditation demonstrates that everybody can expect to be treated with dignity and respect at Eldercare, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Eldercare Risk, Quality and Compliance Manager Chris Hunt said this success ‘would not have been possible’ without extensive engagement with the LGBTI community.

“During this process our team formed the ‘ElderPRIDE Advisory Group’ and interviewed members of the LGBTI community, which helped us to better understand their preferences and plan for services to meet their specific needs,” said Chris.

“The Rainbow Tick assessors found that the LGBTI people they interviewed identify Eldercare as a leader in this space.”

An artwork named ‘The Diversity Tree’, created by a team of residents, their families, staff and volunteers at Eldercare Evanston Park, was highly commended by the assessors.

“The Diversity Tree became a symbol of our commitment to inclusion and diversity, with prints of the artwork displayed in reception areas at Eldercare’s Head Office and all 12 residential care facilities,” said Chris.

Eldercare promotes a culture where differences are respected and inclusivity is embraced.

LGBTI inclusive practice training has been provided to every Eldercare manager and supervisor and all staff are expected to have received training by the end of 2019.

This training program has had a very positive impact on Eldercare’s culture and practices.

Rainbow Tick assessors will visit Eldercare again in early 2021 to complete a mid-term assessment and Eldercare will seek reaccreditation in 2022.

Eldercare thanks its preferred suppliers Veolia and Atlas McNeil Healthcare for supporting the ElderPRIDE Project and our participation in the Rainbow Tick Accreditation Program.

For further information about the ElderPRIDE Project and LGBTI inclusive practice at Eldercare please contact Eldercare Consumer Engagement Coordinator Christine Morris on (08) 8291 1000.