Government funding will provide the Gender Centre with a Transgender Aged Care Specialist Support Officer to improve the responsiveness of the aged care system to the needs of our LGBTQI Elderly.

The Federal Labor Government will provide new funding to the Gender Centre Incorporated to employ a Transgender Aged Care Specialist Support Officer to improve the responsiveness of the aged care system to the needs of LGBTI Australians.

This project will receive funding through the $60 million second round of the Government’s Aged Care Service Improvement and Healthy Ageing Grants Fund, which will deliver approximately $378 million over four years.

Federal Member for Grayndler Anthony Albanese said this service would benefit all older LGBTQI older Australians in New South Wales.

the Transgender Aged Care Specialist Support Officer will work to meet the increasing demand and specialised need for ageing transgender people through front line crisis management, psycho-social and community support as well as assist with referring entry points to specialised aged care services in New South Wales.

The funding will also support a training component where aged care services will have the opportunity to upskill their services to become more trans-aware and trans-friendly in their own service delivery.

“With a strong base in Grayndler, this officer will greatly benefit our community, ensuring transgender people receive the care required as they age and providers increase their knowledge and awareness to appropriately care for all older Australians,” Mr Albanese said.

Minister for Ageing Mark Butler said the funding is part of a broader national strategy Living Longer Living Better to ensure the aged care reform plan spreads to the whole community.

“We are predicting a large increase in the demand for aged care by LGBTI Australians and we need to be in a position to respond to their needs,” Mr Butler said.

The project will support the Federal Labor Government’s National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Strategy.