These aged care services fail all Australians. But, as we debate the best way of improving the system, it's critical to include discussion on the particular needs of remaining members of our stolen generations.

These are the thousands of Aboriginal children forcibly taken from their families under government policies of assimilation. They were locked up in draconian institutions, orphanage, and fostered out; ostensibly to teach them basic skills so they could serve white families and businesses.

National inquiries have shown some of these institutions were places of systematic human rights abuses. The Retta Dixon home in Darwin and the Kinchela Boys' Home outside of Kempsey on NSW's mid north coast are two of the most notorious. There Aboriginal children were beaten, raped and brutalised – experiences that have left horrific scars.

Imagine these stolen children today. Now old, their health failing, still struggling with the immense impacts of their trauma, they face going into a locked aged care facility to see out the rest of their days.

At the Healing Foundation, we hear stories of stolen generations members choosing to avoid aged care services at all costs, even if it means suffering at home alone. 

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It's not uncommon to find members of the stolen generations who don't have relationships with their immediate or extended families. The trauma of being taken from their own families, culture and country has had lasting impacts. Studies have shown those forcibly taken as children experience double the rate of mental illness and alcohol abuse compared to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were not removed. The stolen generations are more likely to have been unemployed, and are more likely to have difficulty forming lasting intimate relationships.

The Kinchela Boys' Home Aboriginal Corporation, formed by survivors of the Kinchela institution, has found its members are unlikely to seek, or receive, aged care support from extended families. These men are isolated and face chronic health issues. As severe beatings at the boy's home were routine, the main ageing issues facing KBH survivors include dementia and Alzheimer's. 

The corporation has been working to develop safe and culturally appropriate aged care facilities for its members. It has established a system where men can live independently, yet also close to one another, allowing them to maintain a connection to community.

The corporation has highlighted that the complex ageing needs of KBH survivors will need to be met through a combination of existing services, specialist services and the support it provides. The corporation is one of the few organisations that is trusted by these men. It can work alongside other services, encouraging its members to receive care, while also ensuring that care is culturally appropriate.

But there are only two dedicated Aboriginal aged care facilities in NSW – Kempsey, and Nowra on the south coast. This is in the state with the largest Aboriginal population.

Aged care for the stolen generations needs a national approach.

Australia urgently needs to find out how many stolen generations are still with us, and what they need as they age. Appropriate aged care services need to be developed in close consultation with those survivors. Professionals working with the stolen generations need to be trained in the trauma suffered by these people. Otherwise services will risk retraumatising this vulnerable group of Australians.

Federal Minister for Indigenous Health Ken Wyatt knows this is a challenge that needs attention. He's said it's imperative the nation recognises and understands the needs of the stolen generations. He's underlined the importance of providing care that is culturally sensitive and respectful.

The federal government and all states and territories need to work together to make aged care a service, not a traumatic experience.

The NSW government has made a significant commitment to providing the right aged care for the stolen generations.

A recent parliamentary inquiry, which decided to pay reparations to the Stolen Generations, also announced the government would partner with the federal government "to identify and deliver innovative and culturally appropriate aged care services for stolen generation survivors".

The NSW government also committed to work with the stolen generations to identify dedicated places in existing aged care facilities, particularly in locations where survivors would feel better connected to their family, community and culture.

There are other examples in Queensland and South Australia where services are being developed for, and by, Aboriginal people. But it's a lottery, depending on where you live.   

This is urgent issue, with an achievable solution. Let's finally allow the stolen generations to find some semblance of peace in their final years. 

Richard Weston is the chief executive of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation.