Petrov Ljubica, Joyce Catherine, Gucciardo-Masci Tonina
Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing, PO Box 5093, Glenferrie South, Vic. 3122, Australia. Email.
Benetas, Level 1, 789 Toorak Road, Hawthorn East, Vic. 3123, Australia. Email.
Aust Health Rev. 2019 Feb;43(1):78-84. doi: 10.1071/AH17032.
Objective There is a need to better understand the use of aged care services by people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence of people living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) who were born in non-English-speaking countries and/or have a preferred language other than English and to describe service utilisation rates. Methods The present study consisted of a secondary analysis of data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare National Aged Care Data Clearinghouse. Data were analysed by country of birth, preferred language, state or territory and Aged Care Planning Regions within Victoria. Results Nationally, over 30000 (18.3%) RACF residents were born in a non-English-speaking country. In Victoria, almost one in four RACF residents (23.9%) was born in a non-English-speaking country, and approximately one in eight (13.1%) has a preferred language other than English. Most Victorian RACFs (72.4%) have at least one resident with a preferred language other than English. Approximately one in four residents (26.1%) with a preferred language other than English are the sole speaker of the language in their facility. Conclusion All RACFs need to effectively address the needs and preferences of their residents, including those who were born in a non-English-speaking country or prefer to speak a language other than English. What is known about the topic? The number of older people from a non-English-speaking background continues to increase, but little is known about the prevalence of this cohort living in RACFs and how aged care providers are responding to their needs and preferences. What does this paper add? The present study provides detailed, service- and policy-relevant information, demonstrating a substantial degree of diversity among people living in RACFs, with wide distribution across facilities and regions. The findings confirm the need for a systematic, sector-wide approach to addressing linguistic diversity and developing inclusive practices. What are the implications for practitioners? All RACFs are required to develop policies and procedures in order to cater to the needs and preferences of residents who were born in non-English-speaking countries and/or who prefer to speak a language other than English.
目的 有必要更好地了解文化和语言背景多样的人群对老年护理服务的使用情况。本研究的目的是描述居住在老年护理机构（RACFs）中出生于非英语国家和/或首选语言不是英语的人群的患病率，并描述服务利用率。方法 本研究包括对澳大利亚卫生与福利研究所国家老年护理数据信息中心的数据进行二次分析。数据按出生国家、首选语言、州或领地以及维多利亚州内的老年护理规划区域进行分析。结果 在全国范围内，超过30000名（18.3%）RACF居民出生于非英语国家。在维多利亚州，近四分之一（23.9%）的RACF居民出生于非英语国家，约八分之一（13.1%）的居民首选语言不是英语。大多数维多利亚州的RACF（72.4%）至少有一名首选语言不是英语的居民。在首选语言不是英语的居民中，约四分之一（26.1%）是其所在机构中该语言的唯一使用者。结论 所有RACF都需要有效满足其居民的需求和偏好，包括那些出生于非英语国家或更喜欢说英语以外语言的居民。关于该主题已知的情况是什么？来自非英语背景的老年人数量持续增加，但对于这一群体居住在RACF中的患病率以及老年护理提供者如何应对他们的需求和偏好知之甚少。本文补充了什么？本研究提供了详细的、与服务和政策相关的信息，表明居住在RACF中的人群存在很大程度的多样性，广泛分布于各个机构和地区。研究结果证实需要采取系统的全行业方法来应对语言多样性并制定包容性做法。对从业者有何启示？所有RACF都必须制定政策和程序，以满足出生于非英语国家和/或更喜欢说英语以外语言的居民的需求和偏好。
