title: Resident and family member perceptions of cultural diversity in aged care homes.
abstract: Similar to many developed nations, older people living in residential aged care homes in Australia and the staff who care for them have become increasingly multicultural. This cultural diversity adds challenges for residents in adapting to the care home. This study explores: (i) residents' and family members' perceptions about staff and cultural diversity, and (ii) culturally and linguistically diverse residents' and family members' experiences. An interpretive study design employing a thematic analysis was applied. Twenty-three residents and seven family members participated in interviews. Four themes were identified from interpreting residents and family members' perceptions of the impact of cultural diversity on their adaptation to aged care homes: (i) perceiving diversity as an attraction; (ii) adapting to cross-cultural communication; (iii) adjusting to diet in the residential care home; and (iv) anticipating individualized psychosocial interactions. The findings have implications for identifying strategies to support staff from all cultural backgrounds in order to create a caring environment that facilitates positive relationships with residents and supports residents to adjust to the care home.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Lily Dongxia
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4631-2443
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Health & Exercise Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7576-971X
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5074-2606
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7124-1061
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gillham
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7689-9890
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Bellis
authors.affiliation: Workforce Development and Governance, Resthaven Inc., Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2911-2554
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Morey
authors.affiliation: Residential Care, Anglicare SA Inc., Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2026-3169
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jeffers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000592:standards
keywords: Australia; aged care homes; cultural diversity; culturally sensitive care; residents