Better Elder Care: Towards Culturally Appropriate Aged Care Service Provision for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Older (65+) Adults in Greater Western Sydney

The population of Greater Western Sydney (GWS) is growing, ageing, and becoming more diverse, but little is known about the aged care needs of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) older people is GWS. In this report researchers worked with older CALD adults in a series of creative expression workshops to gather data on their ageing experiences in GWS, and on the issues that affect them in aged care service provision. It argues that the application of a cultural well-being framework to CALD aged care would be beneficial and would enhance a sense of belonging and community that would reduce feelings of isolation for CALD seniors, the vast majority of whom live independently. Findings indicate that older CALD adults are deeply linked to their social networks and families. They also want to continue to be active and take part in the wider community, and require public transport services to enable autonomy. Navigating the fragmented aged care system in Australia emerges as a particularly complex issue for older CALD adults, some of whom require at-home care. Recommendations include the adoption of a cultural well-being framework to inform aged care service provision; block funding for approved CALD care providers to enable social interaction; more green spaces for social gatherings; and bilingual language training opportunities for the CALD aged care sector.