Different meanings horizontal ellipsis what we want in our lives horizontal ellipsis a qualitative exploration of the experience of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples in a co-designed community rehabilitation service

PurposePromoting positive psychological, social and functional health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people requires health services to be culturally safe, respecting culture as central to the individuals and their communities. This study explored the experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, participating in a co-designed student-assisted community rehabilitation service in a remote Aboriginal community in Far North Queensland.Materials and methodsObservation, informal yarning and semi-structured interviews with older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (n = 6) engaged in the service was conducted over a 7 week period. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was applied through inductive thematic analysis.ResultsFour themes illustrated that experiences within the program promoted: A connection to people, both within the program and those significant in people's lives; a connection to past experiences, roles and events; a connection to the future of cultural knowledge; and a sense of achievement and fun. Participants shared their unique stories on their positive experience of the culturally responsive approach in the activities.ConclusionsThese results suggest that knowledge translation and reciprocity provide a strong foundation for rehabilitation programs that support healthy ageing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and encourage active and ongoing individual and community involvement.