P4 | Oral | From Childhood Institutions to the Aged Care System: A Survey of the Perspectives of Older Care Leavers Accessing Aged
Tracks
| Thursday, June 12, 2025 |
| 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
| P4 |
Synopsis
This study explores the aged care needs of Forgotten Australians—older care leavers who grew up in institutional care. Survey findings show they face lifelong challenges, including poor health, isolation, and fear of re-institutionalisation. Participants strongly prefer home-based, trauma-informed care that respects their autonomy. The study highlights the need for tailored, empathetic aged care services and policies that include their voices and experiences.
Speaker
Professor Philip Mendes
Director of Social Inclusion and Social Policy Research Unit
Monash University
From Childhood Institutions to the Aged Care system: A survey of the perspectives of older care leavers accessing aged care supports
Biography
Professor Philip Mendes is the Director of the Social Inclusion and Social Policy Research Unit in the Department of Social Work at Monash University. He has been researching the experiences of adults who grew up in forms of out-of-home care for 25 years, and is the convenor of the Australian Regional section of INTRAC, the International Research Network on Transitions to Adulthood from Care: https://globalintrac.com/australian-research-network-on-care-leavers/
Lena Turnbull
Social Worker, Counsellor, and Researcher
Monash University
From Childhood Institutions to the Aged Care System: A Survey of the Perspectives of Older Care Leavers Accessing Aged Care Supports
Biography
Lena Turnbull is a social worker, counsellor, and academic with experience in direct practice, research, and education. Based at Monash University, she leads projects focused on trauma, aged care, and the needs of marginalised groups. Lena also provides counselling and supervision in private practice and is currently managing a national study to improve aged care responses for older care leavers.
