Families, culture and trauma-informed care

Culture shapes how people understand dementia, ageing, family roles, food, spirituality and care. Cultural safety means the person feels respected and able to be themselves, and is not asked to fit our assumptions. Ask, listen and learn from the person and their supporters.

Language can become harder to use as dementia progresses, and a person may return to the language they learned first. Use interpreter services according to your organisation's process, especially for important conversations. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may have particular cultural, historical and community considerations, so follow your organisation's cultural safety guidance and involve community-controlled services where appropriate.

• Ask about culture, language, spirituality and important customs.
• Use an interpreter service for important conversations, following your process.
• Recognise different family roles and different ways of understanding dementia.
• Consider migration history and what places or people may mean to the person.

Many people have lived through experiences such as war, displacement, abuse or loss. Dementia can make memories of these feel present again, and a well-meant approach can feel frightening. Trauma-informed care aims to avoid causing further harm and to help people feel safe.

• Safety: a calm, predictable environment and approach.
• Choice: offer real options and respect a 'no'.
• Trust: be consistent and explain who you are and what you are doing.
• Collaboration and empowerment: work with the person, not on them.
• Ask permission before touch, and explain what will happen before it happens.

Families and informal carers often carry a heavy load. They may feel grief, tiredness, guilt or uncertainty, and they often hold deep knowledge about the person. Treat them as partners, listen to their concerns and share information within consent and privacy rules.

Connecting people with reliable support can make a real difference. Dementia Australia and other trusted services offer information and support for people living with dementia and their carers. You will find links on the reference shelf.

• Listen first and acknowledge how hard things can be.
• Share information as consent and policy allow.
• Point families to reliable sources of support.
• Notice carer fatigue, and know how to raise concerns respectfully.