Moving into a residential aged care home may often be a difficult and emotional decision. This can be even more challenging if you or your parents come from overseas and have a non-anglo cultural background. Most aged care services must be accredited to operate but there is a big difference in the way each is run, so it’s important to ask the right questions when looking for a home. Most importantly, you will need to find a home that will provide your parents with care that is culturally and linguistically responsive, inclusive, sensitive and meets your individual needs.Here are the 10 questions to ask about cultural needs in residential aged care. Either you or your parent can ask, just make sure you’re happy with the answers – this will be their new home, so it’s important to ask questions up front.
1. Are there bi-lingual staff that can speak your language?
Residential aged care homes may have staff employed who can speak your language to assist you with your daily communication needs if your preferred language isn’t English. Ensure that there are staff who can speak your language available on each shift.
2. Are cultural food choices catered for?
The choice to eat a variety of food that is nutritious, balanced, prepared fresh and acceptable within a given culture is important for your health and wellbeing. Ask if the home has different menu choices suitable for your cultural dietary needs.
3. Are there specific house rules that you need to be aware of that may differ from your routine?
Some residential aged care homes may have rules that determine bedtimes, meal times and when personal care is provided. Find out how much choice is available with your daily activities to ensure they meet your cultural needs.
4. What are the fees and charges for the services and will there be any additional costs?
Your income and assets will determine what you will need to pay for your care. It will also determine if you are eligible for any type of subsidy. Some residential aged care homes may also have extra charges for specific items or a basic daily fee. Ask the home what your care is going to cost.
5. Are cultural needs being acknowledged?
Understanding and valuing cultural diversity is essential as culture is a defining feature of a person’s identity. Many organisations now cater to specific cultural needs, whatever your background. Ensure that the service can meet your cultural needs.
6. Are religious practices and spiritual beliefs accommodated?
Religious practices and spiritual beliefs are vast and varied across the multitude of cultures in our society. Find out how the residential aged care home assists its residents with their religious and spiritual needs.
7. Are family and friends visiting at the resident’s convenience encouraged?
Family and friends have an important role in many cultures. Find out if there are restrictions that might limit visiting. If your family want to share a meal or stay overnight, is this allowed?
8. Do you have a cultural activity that you do regularly?
Are there any specific cultural activities in your daily routine or social interactions? Ensure that the residential aged care home is aware of the importance of having these activities included in your daily routine.
9. What are the accommodation arrangements like?
Being accustomed to living a certain way may be the deciding factor when you’re looking for a residential aged care home. Make sure you are comfortable with the proposed living arrangements. Find out what you can and can’t bring with you.
10. Making a complaint?
You have the right to complain if you are not happy. Find out how you make a complaint in your residential aged care home. Interpreters can help if you call Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450.
The best way to find a home that suits you is to visit a few different homes. To find homes in your area you can use the My Aged Care Aged Care Home Finder by calling 1800 200 422 or visit www.myagedcare.gov.au
10 questions to ask about cultural needs in residential aged care in different languages
If English isn’t your first language or that of your parents, the 10 questions to ask about rural and remote residential care leaflet is available in different languages directly on the 10questions.org.au website. You can read this information in different languages here – Arabic, Croatian, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Greek, Italian, Korean, Macedonian, Maltese, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish, Vietnamese. Thanks to Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra – Partners in culturally appropriate care (MCCI) for translating these materials.
How can this information be used?
This information is part of a series written by nurses, doctors and experts with experience in aged care – The NSW Aged Care Roundtable. The series aims to make your journey into residential aged care easier.
You may find these questions to ask about rural and remote residental care leaflet useful when:
• Searching for a high-quality residential aged care facility.
• Reviewing the quality of your current residential aged care facility.
• Deciding between two residential aged care facilities that appear similar.
The different kinds of staff in residential aged care
It’s important that there are enough registered nurses within the staff skill mix to meet everyone’s needs. You should ask questions about how your individual care needs will be met.
Many staff wear similar uniforms. Just because someone looks like a nurse does not mean they are. Here are the differences:
A Registered Nurse (RN) has undertaken a minimum three-year Bachelor of Nursing course. They can undertake nursing procedures, manage pain medication and help prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.
An Enrolled Nurse (EN) works under the direction of an RN. Both are registered by a regulatory body. Registration ensures professional standards are maintained and protects the public.
Assistants in Nursing (AIN)/Care Workers/Care Service Employees (CSE) are unlicensed. They provide most of the care in residential facilities and communities but their level of training is variable.
Some useful links:
The 10 questions to ask series on Carers’ Circle – https://carerscircle.com.au/?s=10+questions
10 Questions to ask PDF article download link – https://10questions.org.au/PDF/10%20Questions%20to%20ask%20-%20rural.pdf
10 questions to ask about cultural needs in residential aged care PDF download link –
https://www.10questions.org.au/PDF/10%20Questions%20to%20ask%20-%20CALD.pdf
Carer’s Circle article on 10 questions to ask about allied health in residential aged care –
https://carerscircle.com.au/2021/10/14/10-questions-to-ask-about-allied-health-in-residential-aged-care/
Carer’s Circle article on Aged care living options explained – three main choices –
https://carerscircle.com.au/2021/06/29/aged-care-living-options-explained-three-main-choices/
Aged Care Reform Now – a grassroots organisation that is advocating for reform of the aged care system including better staffing in residential aged care – https://agedcarereformnow.com.au/
Quality Aged Care Action Group (QACAG) – An independent grassroots community action group that lobbies for high quality aged care in all settings including residential and home care. QACAG is an organisational member of the NSW Aged Care Roundtable. It contributes to the development and consumer testing of the ’10 Questions to Ask’ series of consumer-facing resources for people seeking aged care – https://qacag.org.au/
The original version of this article appeared on 10questions.org.au. Reproduced with permission. The information in this original leaflet was developed and endorsed by: NSW Nurses & Midwives Association, Country Women’s Association NSW, National Rural Health Alliance, Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation, CSGPN, Seniors Rights Service, Combined Pensioners & Superannuants Association, Health Consumers NSW, Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra, Older Women’s Network, Quality Aged Care Action Group Incorporated and Women’s Electoral Lobby.
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