From Childhood Institutions to Aged Care

The pervasive impact of childhood cumulative harm across the lifespan is increasingly acknowledged, yet outcomes in later adulthood are rarely examined. This chapter outlines findings of a study of older “care” leavers in Australia, individuals aged 50 years and older who spent time in childhood institutions, foster “care”, or other forms of out-of-home “care” from the 1950s to the 1980s. Voices of older “care” leavers were gathered through 105 surveys and 24 in-depth interviews, which told of how their ongoing hardship reflected long-term impacts of childhood harm and adversity, and the contribution of these to relationship, housing, financial, health, and other life challenges. For some, intergenerational child removal demonstrated how the impact of cumulative harm can echo across generations. Despite enduring significant trauma, the remarkable resilience of older “care” leavers is evident. Findings raise implications about the support needs of older “care” leavers, and the long-term consequences of institutional abuse.