Our population is growing more diverse every day, and that means the traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach to aged care no longer works. Many older migrants find themselves disconnected—trapped between cultures, generations and systems not designed with their experiences in mind.
These barriers often remain invisible to those who haven’t lived them. A care plan written only in English. Meals that carry no cultural meaning. Staff who, despite good intentions, misinterpret needs or traditions. Digital services inaccessible to those with limited technology experience. These seemingly small disconnections compound into profound isolation that affects both physical and mental well-being.
For many older migrants, asking for help carries deep cultural stigma—seen as admitting family failure rather than accessing rightful support. Others struggle to maintain their identity when care environments reflect unfamiliar values. As Elfa Moraitakis explains, the solution isn’t just adding cultural awareness as an afterthought—it requires reimagining aged care as a place where language, cultural identity and community connections aren’t luxuries but essential foundations.
When older migrants feel “respected for who they are, heard without feeling pressure to explain themselves constantly, connected to their identity and community,” something remarkable happens. Care transforms from a clinical transaction into a dignified experience that honours their entire life journey—including the courage it took to create a home in a new country.
Elfa Moraitakis, Chief Executive Officer at Sydwest Multicultural Services will be speaking at the 6th Annual Aged Care Week where she will discuss in-depth how to overcome isolation from a multicultural perspective and approach.
What hidden challenges do older migrants face in aged care around cultural barriers and integration?
“Older migrants often face a unique set of hidden challenges in aged care, many of which stem from cultural barriers and the complexities of their migration experiences. These challenges can have a profound impact on their well-being. Some of the most pressing include:
- Language and Communication Barriers
- English language challenges can hinder access to essential information and services.
- Miscommunication can lead to misunderstandings about medication, routines, or even their own health conditions.
- Lack of bilingual staff or translated materials may isolate older migrants or reduce their confidence in seeking support.
- Cultural Disconnect in Care Delivery
- Aged care models often reflect eswtern values, which may not align with collectivist or intergenerational family-based cultures.
- Food, daily routines, gender preferences in care, and religious/spiritual practices may be overlooked.
- Culturally inappropriate care can lead to feelings of alienation, mistrust, or loss of identity.
- Stigma and Shame
- In many cultures, seeking external aged care can carry stigma or be seen as a family failure to look after their elders.
- Older migrants may hide health issues (especially mental health) due to cultural taboos, leading to delayed diagnoses or treatment.
- Lack of Cultural Safety and Representation
- Limited cultural awareness among care delivery frontline staff can result in stereotyping or at times unconscious bias.
- Few culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) workers in leadership roles means systemic issues often go unaddressed.
- A lack of culturally responsive person-centred programs can prevent social engagement and lead to loneliness.
- Social Isolation and loss of Community
- Migration often leads to fragmented social networks.
- Many older migrants feel a lack of belonging and that they but not supported in maintaining their cultural identity.
- Digital exclusion further deepens the divide, especially in an increasingly digital care environment.
- Navigation Complexity and Systemic Invisibility
- Platforms like My Aged Care can be complex to navigate, especially for those unfamiliar with bureaucratic or online processes.
- Older migrants may not even be aware of services available, or may not trust institutions.
“Addressing these challenges requires culturally responsive, community-supported approaches, bilingual workforce and aged care models that embrace diversity – not just accommodate it. It’s not just about meeting clinical needs, but honouring identity, language, culture, and lived experience in every aspect of care.”
Which culturally sensitive programs have most effectively empowered older migrants to overcome isolation?
“Several culturally responsive programs have proven highly effective in empowering older migrants to overcome social isolation. These programs succeed by placing culture, language, and trust at the centre of their design, and by building meaningful connections through shared experiences. Our SydWest program is a standout example:
Offers weekly in-language group activities for CALD seniors, including health education, dancing, art, and cultural celebrations.
Emphasises cultural connections, bilingual workforce, and transport support that helps to remove barriers to participation.
Builds community while addressing mental health, isolation, and support to access to aged care.”
How can providers integrate cultural identity and language support to enhance well-being and dignity?
“Integrating cultural identity and language support into aged care isn’t just good practice; it’s essential to enhancing well-being, dignity, and trust for older people from CALD backgrounds. Aged care providers can do it meaningfully and sustainably:
- Embed cultural identity into daily routines
- Meals: Offer culturally appropriate dishes, respecting dietary preferences connected to faith, tradition, or health.
- Spiritual awareness: Support access to religious practices, prayer spaces and visits from faith leaders.
- Cultural celebrations: Mark key festivals (e.g. Lunar New Year, Diwali, Eid, Orthodox Christmas) with community events and celebrations.
- Personal care preferences: Honour gender sensitivities, modesty customs, and personal space in line with cultural norms.
- Prioritise in-language communication
- Bilingual workforce: Hire and train care staff with the language skills of the communities they serve.
- Translated materials: Provide care plans, consent forms, and service information in-language.
- Interpreters: Partner with professional interpreter services to avoid reliance on family members, especially in medical or legal settings.
- Use of culture specific prompts: Include culturally familiar music, images, or memory aids in dementia care.
- Involve Family and Community/Faith leaders
- Recognise the importance of family as part of the care team, especially in cultures where elder care is traditionally collective.
- Hold regular cultural advisory group feedback sessions with community elders or multicultural organisations.
- Co-design services with community’s input, not just consultation, but collaboration from the start.
- Build cultural competency across staff
- Ongoing training: Go beyond one-off cultural awareness workshops; invest in deep, scenario-based training.
- Community of practice reflections: Encourage staff to discuss cultural dilemmas and learn from each other’s experiences.
- Cultural champions: Identify team members who can lead CALD inclusive initiatives and mentor others.
- Make their organisation visibly inclusive
- Reflect cultural diversity in branding and online presence.
- Display welcome messages in multiple languages.
- Ensure clients can see themselves in your workforce and materials.
The outcome when all is done is well is that older migrants feel:
- Respected for who they are;
- Heard and don’t feel the pressure to explain themselves constantly
- Connected to their identity, their community, and feel a sense of place
- Empowered to make choices in their care, even in a new cultural environment.
It’s not just about ticking boxes; it is about transforming care into something personal, meaningful, and dignified.”
What practical steps can communities and volunteers take to foster stronger connections for older migrants?
“Local communities and volunteers can play a powerful role by organising inclusive, culturally relevant social activities that go beyond language barriers. This includes multilingual conversation circles, intergenerational events, cooking classes featuring traditional dishes, art therapy, or storytelling sessions where older migrants can share their journeys. These gatherings not only reduce isolation but honour the lived experience and cultural wisdom of our older migrants.
Volunteers can also make a meaningful impact through regular one-on-one visits, helping older migrants access services, attend appointments, or just enjoy some company in their preferred language. Supporting volunteers with cultural awareness training ensures that connections are made respectfully and with understanding. Collaboration with local multicultural organisations such as SydWest, faith groups, and community leaders further strengthens outreach, ensuring that initiatives are culturally responsive, trusted, and person-centred. Ultimately, when volunteers act as connectors they can bridge generations, cultures, and services. They help build communities where older migrants feel heard, valued, and at home.”
Looking ahead, what changes do you envision for aged care in Australia to better serve older migrants?
“Looking ahead, the future of aged care in Australia HAS to evolve to reflect the growing diversity of our ageing population. As more older Australians come from a CALD background, aged care will need to shift from a one-size-fits-all model to one that is deeply person-centred, culturally responsive, and community-connected.
I envision aged care that prioritises language access, cultural identity, and co-designed services. This means bilingual care workforce becomes the norm, not the exception; care plans that are culturally tailored and reflect personal values, faith, and traditions; and inclusive spaces where older migrants do not just receive care but feel a true sense of belonging. Digital platforms and aged care navigation tools will not only need to be multilingual but also easy to access for seniors with low digital literacy and it they cannot be the only form of access.
Additionally, government funding for niche multicultural organisations that support older migrants from CALD backgrounds will play a key role in bridging gaps, creates trust and provides community insight. Training across the sector must go beyond cultural awareness toward ongoing cultural humility and reflective practices that are embedded in the core of an organisation’s vision. Ultimately, we must move towards a system that not only acknowledges diversity, but actively celebrates it, ensuring that older migrants age with dignity and a sense of belonging.”
What do you hope participants will learn from your session at Aged Care Week?
“Social isolation among CALD seniors is a growing concern, impacting mental well-being, physical health, and overall quality of life. The Better Elder Care Report presented highlights key challenges faced by older migrants in Greater Western Sydney (GWS)-including disconnection, cultural barriers, and struggles with integration. Culturally responsive aged care, social connection, and targeted interventions can combat isolation and enhance well-being. By applying a cultural well-being framework, we can elevate physical and mental health, strengthen community ties, and ensure aged care services foster belonging and dignity.
I hope that participants attending my session will walk away with a deeper understanding of isolation as experienced by our older migrants, and why culturally responsive approaches are essential and not optional. I hope they will gain insights into the specific challenges older migrants face, such as language barriers, cultural disconnection, the grief of their migration experience, and the structural challenges to accessing care. They will learn how to move from awareness to action, exploring simple practical steps for designing targeted interventions that are empowering. Attendees will also be challenged to think how they can reframe multicultural aged care as not just about service delivery, but about restoring dignity, enhancing well-being, and creating environments where every older person feels they truly belong. It’s a chance to inspire providers, volunteers and policy-makers to design aged care that is diverse, celebratory and resilient.”
Don’t miss Elfa Moraitakis’s session and the opportunity to gain practical insights into culturally responsive approaches to combating isolation. Register now for the 6th Annual Aged Care Week to learn how your organisation can better serve Australia’s diverse ageing population.
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
