When Care Feels Like Home: Why Culture Matters in Aged Care

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Imagine needing care but having to explain your language, traditions or family customs before someone understands what matters to you. For many culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) older Australians, culturally appropriate care can help services feel more respectful, accessible and connected to everyday life.

Culture is part of care

Culture is more than food, festivals or language. It can shape how people communicate, make decisions, understand family roles and experience ageing, illness and care. For organisations working with diverse communities, recognising these differences can help create services that respond to people as individuals rather than treating culture as an afterthought.

Culturally appropriate care can also involve asking what matters to a person, listening to family perspectives where appropriate, recognising religious or cultural practices, and making information easier to understand. These small choices can influence whether an older person feels comfortable asking questions, expressing preferences and participating in decisions about their care.

Supporting families and care organisations

Families and carers can sometimes find aged-care systems difficult to navigate, particularly when expectations about ageing, dementia, palliative care or family responsibility differ between cultures. Clear communication and cultural understanding can help reduce confusion and create more welcoming conversations.

This is where the Association for Culturally Appropriate Services (AfCAS) can contribute. AfCAS supports organisations and individuals interested in working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. Its services include culturally appropriate care training, mentoring, cultural audits and charters, as well as community engagement and advisory services. AfCAS also provides programs related to home care, residential care, dementia and palliative care.

Making care feel more welcoming

Culturally appropriate care does not mean assuming that everyone from the same cultural background wants the same thing. Instead, it means being curious, respectful and willing to ask. A simple question about language preferences, family involvement or important cultural practices can create a better starting point for communication.

For care providers, the goal is to build services where older people can maintain a sense of identity and connection while receiving appropriate support. For families and community members, it means knowing that cultural needs can be part of conversations about care.

For older people, this sense of recognition can matter beyond the practical delivery of a service. Feeling heard may support trust, confidence and a stronger connection with the people providing care. For community organisations, culturally responsive practice can also create opportunities to work with families and networks rather than designing communication in isolation. The result is a care experience that recognises both the individual and the community connections that can shape wellbeing and belonging.

Ready to learn more? Visit AfCAS at https://www.afcas.net to explore its services and discover ways to support more inclusive care in your community.

Sahara #TheDigitalMarketingCrew #ECUMKT5325 #CALD #AgedCare #InclusiveCommunities (Disclaimer: This content is for the sole purpose of teaching and learning at Edith Cowan University.)