Culture Matters in Aged Care 🌏

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 smile to her face and helps the care worker understand what is important to her. This simple interaction shows how listening, respecting cultural differences and understanding individual preferences can help CALD older people feel heard, respected and included in their care.

Understanding CALD and Culturally Appropriate Care

CALD means culturally and linguistically diverse. In aged care, CALD older people may speak different languages and have different traditions, beliefs, food preferences and expectations about ageing and family care. Culturally appropriate aged care recognizes these differences and considers each person’s culture, language, identity and individual preferences when providing care.

For aged-care providers and community organizations, understanding these factors is important because culture can influence how an older person communicates, makes decisions, maintains family relationships and expresses care preferences. Familiar language, food, celebrations and traditions can also help older people maintain meaningful connections with their identity and community.

Turning Understanding into Inclusive Care 🤝

CALD older people may experience language barriers, difficulty understanding aged-care services or different cultural expectations about care. Recognizing these challenges can help aged-care professionals provide more inclusive and person-centered support.

Organizations can respond by using professional interpreters when needed, asking older people about their individual preferences, appropriately involving families and including cultural needs in care planning. Rather than making assumptions based on someone’s cultural background, professionals can listen and understand what matters to each person.

How AfCAS Creates Connections

AfCAS supports aged-care providers and community organisations through culturally appropriate care training, mentoring and support. These services can help professionals strengthen their cultural understanding and develop more inclusive approaches to supporting CALD older people.

Building awareness of AfCAS can also create opportunities for wider community involvement. Volunteers can contribute their time and build meaningful social connections, while donations, partnerships and funding can help community organizations continue delivering activities and support for diverse communities.

Make a Difference Together

Every older person has a story, identity and life experience. Respecting what matters to each individual is an important part of person-centered care.

Visit AfCAS to explore culturally appropriate care resources and discover ways your organization can collaborate, volunteer or support AfCAS. Share this blog with your team and help increase awareness of culturally inclusive aged care.

How does your organization help older people from diverse cultural backgrounds feel included? Share your experience below..These services can help professionals strengthen their cultural understanding and develop more inclusive approaches to working with CALD older people.

Ready to learn more? Visit AfCAS to discover how your organization can strengthen culturally appropriate care. https://www.afcas.net/

Comment below: How does your organization make older people from diverse cultures feel included? 🤝 

#CulturallyAppropriateCare #CALDAgedCare #InclusiveAgedCare #CulturalDiversity #PersonCentredCare

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(Disclaimer: This content is for the sole purpose of teaching and learning at Edith Cowan University).