Service Provider Resources

Leisure Activities

Addressing cultural diversity in leisure programs and daily recreational activities is essential to maintaining the quality of life of your care recipients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

A culturally appropriate activities program will help to bring joyful pleasure into the lives of your care recipients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as foster self-esteem and a sense of purpose and belonging.

Key Considerations

Consider the cultural, linguistic and religious needs and preferences of care recipients when planning and reviewing recreational activities, with input from their families and members of the local community.
Foster links with local community organisations that share the culture, language and religion of care recipients.
Facilitate community and family involvement in activities.
Support care recipients to remain engaged with existing community networks.
Integrate activities with local community events.
Plan regular outings to places of significance to your care recipients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Ask care recipients and/or their families which festivals and special days they would like to celebrate, and how they would like to observe these occasions.
Acknowledge and observe cultural and religious days and festivals in an appropriate manner.
Explore the availability of community volunteers to provide social visits in the preferred language of care recipients.
Support care recipients' access to multicultural media (including radio, TV and newpapers) as desired.
Ensure that staff responsible for developing and implementing activities programs have been trained in cultural awareness and appropriate communication.

Additional Resources

Community Visitors' Scheme
The Community Visitors' Scheme is a national program that provides companionship to socially isolated people living in Australian Government-funded aged care facilities. Contact the Commonwealth Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222 to find ethno-specific auspices in your service area.
The Companion Card

The Companion Card allows people with a profound disability, and who require on-going attendant care, to participate in community activities and events without discrimination. Companion Cards can be presented at participating organisations where cardholders will not be required to pay an admission fee for their companion who is providing attendant care.
'Music for the Golden Aged.' Tapes with a selection of 'olden time music' available in 10 languages. Order from NSW Transcultural Aged Care Service