Managing aged care: does ethnicity matter

Purpose of the research paper: \ud To identify what difference, if any, the ethnicity of residents makes to the design of facilities and practice of caring for the elderly in South Australia , Australia .\ud \ud Methodology/Approach: \ud A qualitative approach using illustrative examples. Three case studies were evaluated\ud \ud Findings: \ud Ethnicity did matter in aged care facility design. The decision to build was made as business expansion and sustainability increased, opportunities for government funding were realised and environmental planning to meet government regulations implemented. The design of the building and management of the facility, including incorporating culturally appropriate food, recruiting bilingual staff and providing communal areas, all respond to the central mission of the organisation to provide for cultural groups' needs.\ud \ud Implications for practice: \ud The large investment that building new aged care facilities requires forms a key strategic decision with regards to the image, focus on particular populations, and creating an environment for recruiting and retaining both staff and clients. The strategic plan and management of health care facilities need to be interlinked and involve considerable consultation with all possible stakeholders