Services and Support
Elder care support program (ECS)
Helping elders find the right support through their aged care journey
The elder care support (ECS) program helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders and their families navigate the aged care system in ways that are culturally safe, trauma-informed and community-led.
Elder care support workers are based in communities across the Northern Territory. They travel to communities, visit elders at home and on Country, listen deeply and talk about what support is available—always guided by respect, language and cultural ways of being.
What we do
- Support the elder care support (ECS) workforce through multi-day training, ongoing mentoring and yarning circles that build skills, confidence and connection.
- Create culturally safe spaces in the Northern Territory and national yarning circles where ECS workers share stories, challenges and solutions in aged care.
- Help elders navigate aged care, including assessments, services and supports, while keeping dignity, choice and cultural integrity at the centre.
- Strengthen partnerships between Aboriginal community controlled health services (ACCHSs), aged care providers, hospitals, primary health networks (PHNs) and other agencies so that elder care is better coordinated and more culturally secure.
Why this program matters
The aged care system can be confusing and hard to access, especially for elders living in remote communities or speaking multiple languages. Elder care support workers bridge that gap.
They walk alongside elders and families, listen to what matters most, and help them find support that respects culture, language and community responsibilities. This includes advocating for trauma-informed, flexible services that work on Country, not just in towns.
By amplifying the voices of elders and the elder care support workforce through Northern Territory and national yarning circles, the program is also shaping future training, planning and aged care reform.
How we support member services
- Employ, orient and support elder care support (ECS) workers within health services and community organisations.
- Tailor ECS training to local languages, cultural protocols and community contexts.
- Strengthen links between primary health care, aged care, hospitals and social support services.
- Take workforce and community feedback to assessment teams, government and national bodies to push for better, community-led aged care models.
Who we work with
- Elders, families and carers in remote, regional and urban communities.
- Elder care support (ECS) workers and other staff based in Aboriginal community controlled health services (ACCHSs) and partner organisations across many Aboriginal language groups.
- Aged care providers, hospitals, general practitioners (GPs), primary health networks (PHNs) and specialist services, including Relationships Australia NT, Dementia Support Australia, Carers NT, NT Health, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Catholic Care NT, Services Australia, APM assessors, Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NTPHN) and the Department of Health and Aged Care Northern Territory branch.
Get in touch
To discuss elder care support or how ECS workers can support elders connected to your member service, please contact the workforce and leadership support (WALS) / elder care support team.