Some older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds will have lived experience of war, torture and political persecution as well as more general grief and loss associated with separation from families and communities and dislocation. Language difficulties can enhance social isolation and make it difficult to talk about experiences and emotions. All of these things can challenge mental health and wellbeing.
Aged Care workers and professionals are in a great position to build trust and rapport and have the conversation that my lead to older people gaining the professional help of a counsellor or psychologist.
Recently we shared the high-level findings of the Monash University PRACTIS 2 research which showed from their survey of residential aged care personnel that,
“Despite expressing a willingness to use professional interpreters in the future, most participants had never used them”
A practical way to address cultural safety is to ensure that older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds know they are being listened to.
Have you thought about the type of conversation you might have to check in with an older person who often seems agitated, sad or frustrated? Imagine the type of conversation you might have with the aid of a professional interpreter starting with,
“Hi, I wanted to have a conversation with you today through an interpreter to see how you are feeling…
“Lately, I noticed you have seemed sad or upset, I wanted to talk with you through an interpreter to see if there is something we can help you with….
“Sometimes I feel we might not be helping as best as we can, today I thought I might speak with you using an interpreter to see how we can do things better….
A professional interpreter is the appropriate choice as older people may not want to disclose nor burden emotional and psychological issues with family or friends. The Translating and Interpreting Service run by the Department of Home Affairs is a free service for Aged Care Providers. You can even obtain a telephone interpreter without a booking and there is an Automated Telephone Interpreting Service (ATIS).
A free forum, Let's Talk Mental Health, is being hosted this evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm by the Mental Health Foundation and will feature engaging conversations about mental health challenges within multicultural communities. The event, being held at the Maltese Community Council in Parkville, forms part of the National Multicultural Mental Health Month 2025 campaign highlighting the theme "Lived Experience Leads the Way".
This special event will feature a dynamic Q&A panel of mental health professionals, individuals with lived experience, and youth advocates. Tickets for this free even can be purchased online at: Let's Talk Mental Health
