Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care: Respecting Every Background

Aged care should feel like home, no matter where you come from or what language you speak. Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care (PICAC) helps aged care providers support older Australians from diverse cultural backgrounds. The goal is simple—make sure every person receives care that respects their traditions, beliefs, and identity.

Why Is Culturally Appropriate Care Important?

Australia is home to people from all walks of life, and this diversity does not disappear as we age. For many older Australians, language, food, customs, and religious practices remain an important part of daily life. Aged care services need to recognise these needs and provide support that feels familiar and respectful.

Without culturally appropriate care, older people may feel lonely, misunderstood, or even disconnected from their own identity. Something as simple as being able to speak your first language, eat familiar meals, or follow religious traditions can make a big difference in feeling at home in an aged care setting.

What Does PICAC Do?

Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care helps aged care providers understand and meet the needs of people from diverse backgrounds. This includes:

• Training staff to understand different cultural traditions and values
• Improving communication by supporting the use of interpreters and translated materials
• Advising on culturally appropriate meals, activities, and spiritual care
• Encouraging aged care services to be more inclusive and welcoming
  
  

By supporting aged care providers, PICAC helps ensure that no one feels left out or unheard.

How Does This Fit into Aged Care Standards?

The Australian government has set aged care standards to make sure all older people receive safe and respectful care. One of these standards focuses on dignity and choice, which includes cultural identity. Aged care providers must:

• Recognise and respect cultural differences
• Offer services that reflect a person’s background
• Make sure older people feel understood and included
  
  

PICAC plays a key role in helping aged care providers meet these expectations, making aged care more welcoming for everyone.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you or a loved one need aged care, you have the right to care that respects your culture, language, and traditions. You should feel comfortable asking for:

• Staff who understand or respect your background
• Access to interpreters if needed
• Meals that suit your dietary and cultural preferences
• Opportunities to practice your faith or participate in cultural activities
  
  

Final Thoughts

Growing older should not mean losing touch with who you are. Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care helps make sure that aged care services respect and support every person’s identity, no matter their background. Because care should always feel like home.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the goal of Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care (PICAC)?

The goal of Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care (PICAC) is to help aged care providers support older Australians from diverse cultural backgrounds, ensuring every person receives care that respects their traditions, beliefs, and identity.

Why is culturally appropriate care so important in aged care?

Culturally appropriate care is important because for many older Australians, language, food, customs, and religious practices remain a crucial part of daily life. Providing this care prevents older people from feeling lonely, misunderstood, or disconnected from their identity, making a big difference in feeling at home in an aged care setting.

What services does PICAC provide to aged care providers?

PICAC helps aged care providers understand and meet the needs of people from diverse backgrounds through several services, including: training staff on different cultural traditions and values; improving communication via interpreters and translated materials; advising on culturally appropriate meals, activities, and spiritual care; and encouraging inclusive and welcoming services.

How do Australian aged care standards address cultural identity?

One of the Australian government's aged care standards focuses on dignity and choice, which specifically includes cultural identity. This means aged care providers must recognize and respect cultural differences, offer services that reflect a person's background, and ensure older people feel understood and included.

What are my rights regarding culturally appropriate care?

If you or a loved one needs aged care, you have the right to care that respects your culture, language, and traditions. You should feel comfortable asking for staff who understand your background, access to interpreters, meals that suit your preferences, and opportunities to practice your faith or participate in cultural activities.

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