Cultural Diversity and Spirituality in Aged Care

1. Multicultural Insight into Spirituality “When the spirit is neglected, people die” (ref: Cultural and Spirituality in Ageing Migrant Communities Forum; Bruce Rumbold, 2009)

2. What is Spirituality Spirituality : “relating to or affects the human spirit” (Oxford English Dictionary 2008)

3. Culture, Spirituality and Religion Many religions have changed their systems of belief over time and under the influence of cultures into which they have spread. People who subscribe to a particular religion in one part of the world may have different beliefs and ritual practices from those people of the same religion in another part of the world.

4. Diversity and Spirituality • Cultural background and religious affiliation have been strong indicators of the individual’s health and overall well being • Provide strength and sustenance '… People who do not subscribe to any particular religious beliefs are just as content…’(Study in Sydney Hospital NSW)

5. Culture and Spirituality Primary features of cultures are: • Past history • Dominant and recognised religion • Set of core values and traditions • Regulated social systems • Artefacts unique to a given society

6. Culture and Spirituality Secondary features of cultures are: • Common language or groups of languages • Common physical and geographical boundaries • Fixed pattern of living arrangements • Socially accepted dietary, health and medical practices • Shared moral and legislative systems

7. Diversity and Spirituality • Individual’s culture and religion form a fundamental part of a person makeup and are particularly important when a person is seriously ill. • Diverse cultural behaviors and beliefs can lead to misunderstandings between service providers and consumers.

10. Diversity and Spirituality Impact on service providers: Diverse Ageing population means: • Various cultural context • Various expectations • Diverse clients (ref: Culture and Spirituality in Ageing Migrant Communities Forum; Prof Gary Bouma, 2009)

11. What do we know about CALD • Religious and spiritual rituals • Social rituals: way of addressing an older person • Role of the elderly in particular group • Significant celebrations • Food preferences • Modesty • Privacy (i.e. touching by person of opposite gender) • Personal space • Attitudes towards health, illness, and pain • Attitudes towards death and dying, grief • Folk/ traditional medicines

12. Concepts • Mutual Pretence – bad to talk or discuss • Beliefs (God’s will or Allah will decide the time) • A good death • Bella Figura • Not losing Face • Respectful • Comforting

13. End of life • All spiritual needs are met * • Surrounded by family members and loved ones • Do not die alone • Peaceful and quiet passing • Die in their sleep • The more visitors, the better - a marker of respect from some communities * a challenge for some groups

14. Diversity and Spirituality • Emotional and behavioral expression • Traditions and Practices • Cultural Taboos • Intergenerational needs and sensitivities (i.e. ancestors) • Funeral and burial practices • Unspoken rules regarding mourners, friends and relatives • Tabooed language, behavior, daily routines, dress, food, relatives

15. Diversity and Spirituality • Preferred places for death and burial • Attitudes to Anglo Australian mourning rituals and practices (conflicts and congruity) • Attitudes to funeral directors • Announcement of death • Beliefs in afterlife • Communications with the dead • Grieving and its implications

16. Diversity and Spirituality Challenges: How do we incorporate and include the many diverse cultural and religious beliefs of staff and consumers … including those who are not a member of any denomination.

17. Diversity and Spirituality in Care Understand and acquire knowledge and resources: • Role of Spirituality and Religion in the ageing migrant communities • Explore various ways of helping older people in their search for life meaning, hope, identity and connectedness

18. Diversity and Spirituality in Care Each of us is at the same time: like all others like some others like no other (ref: Cultural and Spirituality in Ageing Migrant Communities Forum; Bruce Rumbold, 2009)

19. Diversity and Spirituality in Care Considerations: • Philosophy of care, not strategy • Acknowledges the importance of psychosocial and spiritual aspects • Continuity of care to the end of life

20. Diversity and Spirituality Strategies: • Provide settings that feels secure • Acknowledge stories about experiences and relationships • Values, beliefs and superstitions(i.e. Karma) • Culture versus Religion

21. Respecting Cultural Diversity Challenges: • Stereotypes and Prejudices • Treating people of different cultures “equally” • Value Judgements “If you treat everyone the same, you do not treat them equally” Rosa Colanero MAC CEO

22. What does respecting mean? • Being aware of differences • Accepting differences • Valuing and honouring differences • Avoiding judgments of other cultural values, beliefs, practices

23. How can we do it? Funded by Australian Government Department of Health Multicultural Aged Care Inc. Multicultural Aged Care Inc. Funded by Australian Government Department of Health

24. Closure Do you have any questions?