NSW Minister for Ageing and Disability Services Kristina Keneally has launched a new resource kit for Indigenous communities.
Ms Keneally said that Taking Care of Business has been designed to help members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities plan ahead, so they are prepared for times when they are not able to make decisions for themselves.
“The kit contains two booklets and a DVD and will be made available on-line and distributed to services which work with Indigenous communities,” Ms Keneally said.
“This new resource kit will help individuals better understand the processes necessary should they lose the capacity to make financial, health and lifestyle decisions for themselves.”
Each segment of the DVD features an indigenous person talking about a number of key areas for consideration including, the advantages of:
• Making a will;
• Contributing to a funeral fund; and
• Appointing a power of attorney.
“This is a culturally sensitive kit aimed specifically at addressing the unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities,” Ms Keneally said.
“It also highlights the importance of starting these sensitive conversations with family members sooner rather than later.”
“Cultural issues are often not addressed in planning for later life resources and they tend to focus on the making of a will and can be full of legal jargon.
“This kit will provide Indigenous communities with the information they need to plan for the future so that in the event of incapacity the legal processes are made much easier for their relatives who survive, or are left to care for them.”
Taking Care of Business has been developed in consultation with several peak Aboriginal organisations, government agencies and service providers.
Ms Keneally said that the kit has been developed to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with a resource to better plan for the challenges that we all face as we grow older.
“It is important that our families know exactly what we want them to do if we lose the ability to make decisions for ourselves,” Ms Keneally said.