Diversity in aged care - supporting people, not categories
Written by Dr Lenore de la Perrelle, Research Fellow, ELDAC
Diversity has always been part of aged care. What is changing is how clearly it is recognised and supported in policy, practice and education.
The Aged Care Act 2024 places a rights-based approach to person-centred care at the heart of aged care. It describes care that is accessible, culturally safe, culturally appropriate, trauma-aware and healing -informed, recognising that people’s needs are shaped by their location, background and life experiences. These ideas can feel complex, but at their core is something simple: everyone has the right to care that respects who they are.
Older Australians are diverse in many ways. More than 300 ancestries are represented across the population, over 400 languages are spoken, and more than five million people speak a language other than English at home. Some older people may have experienced trauma, discrimination or disadvantage across their lives. Others may hold strong cultural, spiritual or religious beliefs that shape how they approach ageing, illness and dying.
Living and dying with comfort and dignity is a basic human right. This is reflected in the Act, which recognises 13 groups of older people whose life experiences may add complexity to their care needs. These groups are not labels. They are prompts to pause, ask questions and avoid assumptions, knowing that even within the same group, needs can vary widely.
ELDAC has updated its resources to support aged care staff and services to respond to this diversity in practical and meaningful ways.
Understanding diverse needs at end of life
End of life is a deeply personal and significant time. Culture, language, identity and life history all influence how a person understands dying and the kind of care that feels right for them. Providing good end-of-life care is about more than clinical tasks. It is about truly seeing the person in front of you.
Small, respectful actions matter. Taking time to understand someone’s story, reading file notes, introducing yourself and your role, asking “what matters most to you now?” and offering choices can help people feel safe and in control. You do not need to give up your own values to provide person-centred care. You can be yourself while respecting the beliefs and choices of the person you are supporting.
Supporting inclusive practice at a service level
Aged care services play a crucial role in end-of-life care. The workforce itself is diverse, with more than a third of staff from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Creating space for reflection and conversation helps teams share perspectives, learn from each other and build understanding.
ELDAC’s Supporting Inclusive End of Life Care companion guides support services to do this in practical ways.
The guides focus on:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse and intersex elders
Together, ELDAC’s updated diversity resources support staff training, service development and everyday practice, helping services meet legislative expectations while keeping the focus where it belongs, on people.
Dr Lenore de la Perrelle, Research Fellow, ELDAC