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Practice Tip Sheets for Careworkers Advance Care Planning Advanced Dementia Advanced Dementia Behavioural Changes After Death Choices Aged Care Access and Assessment Anxiety Cachexia Sarcopenia and Anorexia Case Conferences Complementary Therapies Constipation Continuity of Care Culturally Responsive Care Communication Distress at the End of Life Dysphagia Dyspnoea End of Life Care Pathways Eye Care Faecal Incontinence First Australians Communication Frailty Grief and Loss among Older People Families and Residents Grief and Loss among Staff Myths about Morphine Nutrition and Hydration Opioid Analgesics Oral Care Pain Management Palliative Care People with Intellectual Disability Communication People with Specific Needs Person Centred Care Psychosocial Assessment and Support Quality of Life Recognising Deterioration Respiratory Secretions Self Care Signs of Imminent Death Skin and Wound Care Spiritual Care Supporting Families Talking about Dying Talking within the Aged Care Team Next Steps for CareworkersPractice Tip Sheets for Nurses Advance Care Planning Advanced Dementia Advanced Dementia Behavioural Changes After Death Choices Aged Care Access and Assessment Anxiety Cachexia Sarcopenia and Anorexia Case Conferences Complementary Therapies Constipation Continuity of Care Culturally Responsive Care Communication Distress at the End of Life Dysphagia Dyspnoea End of Life Care Pathways Eye Care Faecal Incontinence First Australians Communication Frailty Grief and Loss among Older People and Families Grief and Loss among Staff Inclusive Communication for Older People with Disability Myths about Morphine Nutrition and Hydration Opioid Analgesics Oral Care Pain Management Palliative Care People with Specific Needs Person Centred Care Psychosocial Assessment and Support Quality of Life Recognising Deterioration Respiratory Secretions Self Care Signs of Imminent Death Skin and Wound Care Spiritual Care Supporting Families Talking about Dying Talking within the Aged Care Team Next Steps for NursesPalliAGED Introduction Modules Introduction Modules ManualTraining and Education palliAGED ProductsPractice Tip Sheets for CareworkersDeveloping the Workforce Supporting Change Service Solutions Download Resources Order Free ResourcesAdvance Care Planning Advanced Dementia Advanced Dementia Behavioural Changes After Death Choices Aged Care Access and Assessment Anxiety Cachexia Sarcopenia and Anorexia Case Conferences Complementary Therapies Constipation Continuity of Care Culturally Responsive Care Communication Distress at the End of Life Dysphagia Dyspnoea End of Life Care Pathways Eye Care Faecal Incontinence First Australians Communication Frailty Grief and Loss among Older People Families and Residents Grief and Loss among Staff Myths about Morphine Nutrition and Hydration Opioid Analgesics Oral Care Pain Management Palliative Care People with Intellectual Disability Communication People with Specific Needs Person Centred Care Psychosocial Assessment and Support Quality of Life Recognising Deterioration Respiratory Secretions Self Care Signs of Imminent Death Skin and Wound Care Spiritual Care Supporting Families Talking about Dying Talking within the Aged Care Team Next Steps for CareworkersPractice Tip Sheets for Nurses PalliAGED Introduction Modules Forms Resources for Families Aged Care Journeys in Palliative Care PalliAGEDnurse App Education Videos for Aged Care Workers
Tips for Careworkers:
People with Specific Needs

What it is: Some people may have specific care needs related to their cultural or linguistic (language) background, sexuality, religious or faith beliefs, life circumstance or location. People may identify with one or more of these attributes.
Why it matters: Culture is not just about language, ethnicity or nationality. It is also about identity and relationships, and shared (sometimes painful) experiences.
Events early in life may significantly affect health and wellbeing in later life. Understanding the person’s circumstances is an important part of person-centred care.
What I need to know: There are many recognised specific groups in aged care which include people who:
- identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- are from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
- live in rural or remote areas
- are financially or socially disadvantaged
- are veterans of the Australian Defence Force or an allied defence force and their spouse, widow or widower
- are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless
- are care leavers (people who spent time in care as a child, Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants and Stolen Generations)
- as parents, were separated from their children by forced adoption or removal
- identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/transgender or intersex (LGBTI)
- have a disability
- are refugees or asylum seekers
- are prisoners.
It is important to be aware of people’s privacy and know who you may share information with.
Note
Everyone is a unique person with their own life and life story. Some issues are complex, you may or may not be able to help them. If you have concerns talk with nursing/supervisory staff.
Do
If you are uncertain about a person’s culture, beliefs or specific needs, ask questions in a respectful way, for example ‘Good morning Mrs xxx, could I ask you about something?’
Do
Ask ‘Are there religious or cultural practices that affect the way you wish to be cared for?’ or ‘Is there anything I need to know about you and your preferences in order to care for you?’
My reflections:
When meeting someone I will be caring for how do I respectfully understand their specific needs?
Sometimes in caring for people we learn things about them which do not affect their care. How can I respect their care yet address things that I have learnt that are of concern?
See related palliAGED Practice Tip Sheets:
For references and the latest version of all the Tip Sheets visit
Practice Tip sheets for careworkers
CareSearch is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Updated July 2022
Page updated 21 July 2026