Beyond Survival
Enhancing the Aged Care Experience of Those Impacted by Trauma From Childhood Institutions
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11228895 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sarah Morris (0000-0001-5770-8593), Sarah L Morris (0009-0007-9007-807X, Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia), Lena Turnbull (0000-0002-0580-1478, Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia, corresponding author), Philip Mendes (0000-0002-2750-4140, Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia), Susan Baidawi (0000-0003-4394-1313, Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-30 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Australian Journal of Social Issues (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0157-6321 • E-ISSN: 1839-4655 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1002/ajs4.70077 |
| OpenAlex | W4415724972 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 15 |
Older care leavers, or Forgotten Australians, who experienced institutional and foster care up until the 1980s, are now an ageing and vulnerable population in Australia. This study draws on interviews with 24 care leavers to examine how institutional histories shape their lives and approaches to aged care. Analysis revealed four overlapping life‐story themes: the profound impact of childhood institutionalisation, the enduring effects of systemic hardship across adulthood, and how these shaped perceptions of aged care and recommendations for reform. Participants called for aged care reform centred on trauma‐informed, person‐centred approaches, improved home supports and specialised environments that respect their histories and autonomy. Addressing these needs is critical to preventing further harm and exclusion in later life. Findings offer key insights for policymakers and providers seeking to create aged care systems that uphold dignity and meet the unique needs of Forgotten Australians. This study further identifies ageing experiences that are distinctive to Forgotten Australians—such as premature ageing linked to lifelong disadvantage, heightened sensitivity to institutional environments and deep mistrust of care systems—distinguishing their needs from those of the broader older adult population
Aged care · Dignity · Harm · Perception · Population ageing · Project commissioning · Elder Abuse and Neglect · Healthcare innovation and challenges · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |