In an era where cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in healthcare are paramount, a groundbreaking study published in BMC Geriatrics in 2026 explores a novel approach to aged care training that centers on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The research, conducted by Zagler, Ieremia, Dawson, and colleagues, introduces a co-designed training program titled ‘Walking Together in Aged Care,’ which aims to radically reshape the competency and delivery of aged care services for Indigenous populations in Australia. This study not only addresses systemic gaps in culturally appropriate aged care but also offers a replicable model for integrating Indigenous perspectives into health sector training.
The impetus for this innovative program stems from the significant health disparities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders, who experience higher rates of chronic disease, reduced access to quality aged care services, and a lack of cultural safety within conventional healthcare settings. The training initiative was developed through a co-design methodology, involving direct input and collaboration from Indigenous communities, aged care workers, healthcare professionals, and cultural experts. This participatory approach ensures that the training content and delivery resonate authentically with the experiences and needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Central to the program’s success is its foundation on the principle of cultural safety, which extends beyond mere cultural awareness. Cultural safety emphasizes respect, empowerment, and the dismantling of power imbalances in care relationships. The authors argue that traditional aged care training often neglects these aspects, resulting in care environments that can feel alienating or even harmful to Indigenous elders. By embedding cultural safety concepts within the curriculum, ‘Walking Together in Aged Care’ encourages practitioners to develop deeper interpersonal skills and an ongoing reflective practice that acknowledges the historical and social contexts impacting Indigenous health outcomes.
Technically, the program incorporates a range of educational modalities including interactive workshops, storytelling, role-playing scenarios, and community immersion experiences. These techniques are designed not only to impart knowledge but also to cultivate empathy and practical skills for culturally responsive care. The curriculum covers Indigenous history, kinship systems, communication styles, traditional health practices, and the social determinants of health as they specifically apply to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders. This multifaceted educational strategy reflects current best practices in adult learning and health professional training, aiming to maximize retention and applicability in real-world care settings.
Evaluation of the program utilized mixed methods research, combining quantitative assessments of knowledge acquisition and attitudinal changes with qualitative feedback from participants and community stakeholders. The findings demonstrate significant improvements in participants’ cultural competency, confidence in delivering culturally safe care, and understanding of Indigenous perspectives on ageing. Importantly, the study also highlights enhanced engagement with Indigenous elders by aged care workers who completed the training, indicating a positive shift in practice behaviors.
This co-design and evaluation process reveals critical insights into the challenges and opportunities of implementing culturally tailored training programs within aged care frameworks. The research underscores the necessity of genuine partnership with Indigenous communities for the development of training resources that are both respectful and effective. Moreover, it suggests that cultural safety training can serve as a catalyst for broader systemic changes in aged care policies and organizational cultures, helping to reduce health inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders.
From a technical standpoint, the study breaks new ground in the evaluation metrics used to assess cultural competence in healthcare settings. The authors developed culturally specific evaluation tools in consultation with Indigenous advisory groups, ensuring that measures were relevant and sensitive to community values. This methodological innovation addresses a longstanding gap in research where Western-centric evaluation frameworks often fail to capture nuanced shifts in Indigenous cultural understanding and care interactions.
Furthermore, the research articulates the potential scalability of the ‘Walking Together in Aged Care’ program. By demonstrating its adaptability across various aged care contexts and geographic regions, the authors propose that this model could inform national efforts to reform aged care training. The integration of digital learning platforms and community-based mentorship components offers pathways to extend the program’s reach, particularly in remote or underserved areas where access to culturally safe care remains limited.
The study also engages critically with the political and ethical dimensions of Indigenous health education. It situates the training program within the broader context of reconciliation and Indigenous self-determination, arguing that empowering Indigenous voices in health education contributes to the decolonization of healthcare systems. This philosophical underpinning strengthens the program’s legitimacy and appeal, potentially influencing policy makers, healthcare administrators, and funders to support similar initiatives.
Integral to the narrative is the acknowledgment of the resilience and strength within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. The program leverages cultural knowledge and traditional values as assets in aged care rather than deficits, fostering a strengths-based approach that enhances elder wellbeing. By framing Indigenous cultural identity as central to quality care, the program challenges prevailing deficit-focused discourses and promotes a more holistic and affirming perspective on ageing among Indigenous Australians.
The implications of this research extend beyond the boundaries of aged care in Australia, offering valuable lessons for global healthcare systems grappling with Indigenous health disparities. By foregrounding co-design, cultural safety, and Indigenous leadership, the ‘Walking Together in Aged Care’ program exemplifies best practices in culturally responsive health professional education. The study invites international adaptation and collaboration to advance equity and dignity in the care of Indigenous elders worldwide.
Critically, the article highlights future directions for research and practice, including longitudinal studies to assess the sustained impact of the training on care quality and elder outcomes. It also calls for expanded engagement with younger generations of Indigenous people, ensuring that training programs remain relevant in evolving cultural contexts and intergenerational knowledge transfer. The authors advocate for continuous refinement and community involvement to keep the program dynamic and responsive.
In conclusion, the ‘Walking Together in Aged Care’ study marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of culturally safe and equitable aged care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders. Through an innovative co-design approach, robust evaluation, and a profound respect for Indigenous knowledge systems, this program charts a promising path toward closing the gap in health disparities. Its evidence-based framework and community-centered ethos provide a blueprint for transformative aged care education, offering hope for improved health and wellbeing in Indigenous communities.
Subject of Research:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care training program and its co-design and evaluation.
Article Title:
‘Walking Together in Aged Care’: the co-design and evaluation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care training program.
Article References:
Zagler, J., Ieremia, T., Dawson, A.P. et al. ‘Walking Together in Aged Care’: the co-design and evaluation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care training program. BMC Geriatr (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-026-07805-z
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-026-07805-z
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