Elderly Torres Strait Islanders are having to rely on family members to bring them freshly caught fish prepared from home due to bureaucratic red tape preventing traditional Indigenous foods from being served in nursing homes.
The aged care royal commission travelled to Broome this week to hear evidence about the barriers and challenges to providing services for Indigenous Australians.
Witnesses spoke about the importance of providing ‘culturally safe’ aged care services, including serving traditional foods to allow people to maintain their connection to country and culture.