Culturally Appropriate Care: Supporting CALD Older Australians
Australia’s ageing community is culturally and linguistically diverse. For aged-care and community-service organisations, culturally appropriate care means recognising the different languages, cultural values, identities and experiences of the people they support. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, organisations can listen to older people and consider their individual needs when services are planned and delivered. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission highlights that an older person’s identity, culture and diversity should be valued and supported.
What does culturally appropriate care involve?
Culturally appropriate care starts with listening and learning. Older people may have different communication preferences, traditions, cultural expectations and experiences that influence how they access and experience services. Cultural safety also requires organisations to recognise that people can have multiple identities, so individual needs cannot always be understood from cultural background alone.
For aged-care providers, this means asking the right questions, involving older people in decisions about their care and building staff knowledge. Organisations can also use specialised services and community partnerships to improve communication and accessibility. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission states that culturally safe care should respond to the needs, goals and preferences of individuals, including people from CALD backgrounds.
How does AfCAS support culturally appropriate services?
The Association for Culturally Appropriate Services (AfCAS) works to foster and support culturally appropriate services for the CALD aged-care community. Its work is centred on training, support and advocacy.
Training develops skills and collaborative approaches for organisations and communities, including government, universities, aged-care providers, CALD seniors and carers.
Support facilitates access to specialised services, including translating and interpreting services and the CALD Volunteer Visitors Scheme.
Advocacy promotes the benefits of culturally appropriate services through forums, events, research and evidence-based practice.
These activities support AfCAS’s broader aim of advocating for improved quality, capacity, accountability and accessibility in services for the CALD aged-care community.
Three ways organisations can strengthen cultural responsiveness
1. Listen to older people. Ask about cultural, language and communication preferences rather than making assumptions.
2. Build staff capability. Provide training and opportunities for staff to improve their knowledge of culturally appropriate care.
3. Work with community partners. Connecting with specialist organisations and services can help address diverse needs and improve access.
🌏 Culturally appropriate care is not simply about language. It is about understanding people, respecting their individuality and creating services that respond to their needs.
Learn more about AfCAS
Want to explore culturally appropriate services further? Visit the AfCAS website to learn more about its services
, partnerships and work with the CALD aged-care community.
👉 Take the next step: Explore AfCAS and consider how your organisation can strengthen culturally appropriate care.
What is one practical change your organisation could make to improve culturally appropriate care? Share your idea in the comments.
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Disclaimer: This content is for the sole purpose of teaching and learning at Edith Cowan University.
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