Care That Feels Like Home: Why Culture Matters in Aged Care
Imagine being 82, far from the country you grew up in, and surrounded by kind people who cannot understand you. The room is clean, and the care is professional, yet mealtimes feel foreign and no one recognises the festivals you have celebrated all your life.
For many culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) seniors in Perth, this is a real risk. Good care is more than safe care. It is care that feels like home.
Culturally appropriate care is not an extra. It builds trust, protects dignity and helps seniors speak up about pain, worries and preferences. When people feel understood, they stay connected to family, community and the joys that make life meaningful.
What culturally appropriate care looks like
Communication that is understood. When language is a barrier, small needs become big worries. Interpreters, translated information and bilingual support help seniors express what they need. A greeting in someone's first language can change their whole day.
Respect for food, faith and customs. Familiar meals, prayer spaces and recognised celebrations give people comfort, identity and dignity. A shared meal can turn a strange place into a familiar one.
Confident, trained staff. Even caring teams need practical cultural knowledge to respond well. Training turns good intentions into good outcomes.
How AfCAS helps
The Association for Culturally Appropriate Services (AfCAS) is a not-for-profit that promotes quality, accountability and access to culturally appropriate services for CALD seniors. It supports aged care providers through training, cultural audits and charters, mentoring, and community engagement and advisory services. Its work is guided by a simple belief: honour the past, celebrate the now and inspire the future. It also shares knowledge through webinars and community events.
Small steps, big difference
If you work in aged care, ask yourself: could every resident say their needs are understood? If you are a family member, speak up about your loved one's language, food and faith preferences. If you want to help, volunteering as a visitor can bring companionship to a senior who might otherwise feel alone.
Take the next step
Whether you are a provider, a carer or a community member, AfCAS can help. Book a free consultation or explore volunteering today at www.afcas.net. Together, we can make sure every senior in Perth feels seen, heard and at home. 💛
Ramisa
(Disclaimer: This content is for the sole purpose of teaching and learning at Edith Cowan University)
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