Since each person has their own language, culture, customs, and beliefs, cultural diversity is crucial in aged care. Elderly people feel more at ease, appreciated, and supported when care services acknowledge these distinctions. As an international student living in Australia, I have noticed how important it is for people to feel connected to their culture and community. This is especially important for older adults who may feel isolated or away from familiar surroundings. By

For many of us, food is more than something we eat. A familiar smell from the kitchen, a favourite family recipe or a traditional dish can bring back memories of childhood, family celebrations and take us back to our home. For older people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, these connections can be especially meaningful. As people grow older, familiar foods and cultural traditions can help them maintain a sense of identity, comfort and connection with the

Perth is home to people from many different cultures, languages and backgrounds. As our communities grow older, aged care needs to be more than providing health and daily support. It should also respect who people are, where they come from and what matters to them. What is culturally appropriate aged care? Culturally appropriate aged care means providing support that respects a person’s culture, language, traditions, beliefs and personal preferences. For older people from mul

Imagine growing old somewhere your carer doesn't speak your language, understand your food, or recognise your traditions. For many older migrants in Perth, that's not imagination — it's daily life. For someone who's spent a lifetime speaking one language, cooking familiar meals, and marking the same traditions every year, having all of that disappear in later life isn't a small thing — it can be deeply isolating. The Association of Culturally Appropriate Services (AfCAS) supp

What if feeling understood could be more powerful than simply being helped? Imagine being surrounded by people every day, yet feeling like a part of yourself is missing. Your language is rarely heard. Your familiar food and traditions feel distant. Sometimes, explaining who you are feels harder than asking for help. For many people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, support is not only about receiving a service. It is about feeling recognised, resp

Imagine entering an aged-care environment where your language, food, traditions and cultural values are understood and respected. For many older Australians from diverse cultural backgrounds, this can make aged care feel less like a service and more like a place of belonging. Culturally appropriate aged care recognises that everyone has their own identity, experiences and traditions. Simple things such as familiar meals, opportunities to practise cultural traditions, communic

Why do culture, language and connection matter in aged care? Imagine growing older in a country where the language, traditions, and practices differ from those you grew up with. Culture continues to play a significant role in identity and daily life for many older Australians who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD). Quality aged care involves more than meeting physical needs. It also entails knowing the person behind those requirements. Is care more than a servic

CALD older Australians participating in an inclusive community activity. Imagine Namgay, a fictional older woman who recently entered aged care in Perth. English is not her first language, and she sometimes finds it difficult to explain her needs to care workers. One afternoon, a care worker takes time to learn about Namgay’s culture, favourite foods and family traditions. When Namgay talks about the traditional meals she enjoyed with her family, the conversation brings a smi

Australia's aged-care sector supports people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. For aged-care managers and decision-makers, culturally appropriate care is more than recognising cultural differences. It involves understanding whether an organisation's services, staff and practices respond effectively to the needs of the communities it serves. Why It Matters Now At the 2016 Census, more than one-third of Australians aged 65 and over were born overseas, according

Why Culturally Appropriate Aged Care Matters in Multicultural Perth Why Culturally Appropriate Aged Care Matters in Multicultural Perth 🌏 Imagine growing older 👴🏾 in a place where the people caring for you do not understand the language you speak, the food you grew up eating or with the traditions that have shaped your life. For many older people from culturally diverse backgrounds, these aren’t simply preferences, they are part of their identity. As Perth becomes increasi

Choosing aged care for a parent can raise a difficult question: Will they still feel like themselves once they receive care? For CALD seniors, culturally appropriate care means more than meeting medical needs. It means understanding what matters to the individual and making sure those needs are reflected in everyday care. Language should not become a barrier A senior should be able to explain their needs, understand their care, and communicate important decisions in a langua

Discover how culturally appropriate care can create more respectful and inclusive aged-care experiences for CALD older Australians.

Australia is home to people from many different cultural backgrounds. As people grow older, their culture, language, traditions and beliefs continue to be an important part of their lives. Therefore, aged care should not only focus on physical needs. It should also understand and respect each person’s cultural background. Understanding Culturally Appropriate Care There is a reciprocal relationship between the adulthood and culture. When caring for an older adult, it is import

🤝Together for Inclusive Aged Care Australia is a culturally diverse country, and our older people have played an important role in building the communities we know today. As our population becomes increasingly diverse, aged care needs to recognise that every older person has different cultural, linguistic and personal needs. ❤️ The Association of Culturally Appropriate Services (AfCAS) supports culturally appropriate services for older people from culturally and linguistical

The Association for Culturally Appropriate Services (AfCAS) is an Australian not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of CALD older people.