Exploring the Experiences of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Residents in Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities: A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVE: Research on the lived experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) residents in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) is limited. The objective of this review was to explore the available evidence relating to the experiences of CALD residents living in Australian RACFs. METHODS: A scoping review using the Arksey and O'Malley five-stage framework was used to identify papers published from 2015 to 2025. All scoping review screening processes were conducted by the research team. Conflicts were managed during team discussions. After full-text screening, the included studies were reviewed to examine evidence relating to the experiences of CALD residents living in Australian RACFs. RESULTS: The search yielded 418 articles; 10 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Three themes were identified: (1) disrupted cultural continuity, (2) communication barriers to culturally responsive care and (3) enablers of culturally responsive and person-centred care. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence indicates that CALD residents in RACFs experience significant challenges related to cultural unfamiliarity and language barriers, which impact communication, engagement and overall well-being. Although a range of strategies to improve culturally responsive care were identified, the evidence remains fragmented. These findings highlight the need for systematic and sustained approaches, such as structured workforce training, improved interpreter services, the adoption of culturally tailored care models and strengthened policy reforms, to embed culturally safe, linguistically appropriate, person-centred care within aged care settings.