Successful ageing for most Australians means living a long time while remaining mentally and physically fit and actively engaging in social and productive activity. This makes them largely independent of the need for family support, as they age.
But that definition is not shared by people of all cultures.
Dr Hien Nguyen, of Edith Cowan University, led a recent study of how Vietnamese migrants view the concept of successful ageing.
“For many Vietnamese migrants, successful ageing isn’t just about staying physically fit or independent — it’s about family harmony and continuity, culture and meaningful relationships,” she said.
“Our study found that Vietnamese Australians see successful ageing as being deeply connected to their families, feeling respected, and maintaining their cultural identity.”
They believe that ageing well means witnessing their next generation thrive, living happily, staying healthy, achieving success in their careers, and financial stability.
“For many Vietnamese migrants, fulfillment comes from successes of descendants, strong family bonds, being cared for, and passing down traditions to younger generations.
“They cherish staying close to family and being valued for their wisdom and contributions,” Dr Nguyen said. “Many prefer to live with or near their children, seeing it as a sign of love and respect rather than dependence.
Some grandmothers strongly believe that they have dedicated their entire lives to caring for their adult children and grandchildren. Therefore, they expect their adult children and grandchildren to reciprocate by caring for them in their old age.
Dr Nguyen said there were generational differences in perceptions of ageing and well-being.
“Adult children, who have grown up in Australia, tend to place more emphasis on independence, personal fulfillment, and a balance between Western and Vietnamese values.
“This generational gap can create challenges in family expectations, caregiving responsibilities, and lifestyle,” she said.
The study participants also found that adapting to Australia’s aged care system can be challenging. Language is one obvious barrier, but different cultural expectations were also a problem.
Dr Nguyen said Western aged-care models often focus on personal independence, which doesn’t always align with the values of Vietnamese families.
“Our participants expressed concerns that mainstream aged care services often fail to meet their cultural needs, particularly when they lack cultural and linguistic relevance,” she said.
They encounter challenges in accessing local support networks. The erosion of traditional values and beliefs lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation and loss of status and self-confidence
“They want services that respect their language, traditions and the importance of family involvement in care decisions.”
“Language is most important and knowing how to talk to an older resident is challenging for a non-Vietnamese support worker.
She said Vietnamese families manage older people with dementia at home as long as possible. The behaviour of patients with dementia can become challenging. As far as possible an available family member needs to be involved in their care.
“It is important to have Vietnamese-speaking visitors to older people in residential care,” she said.
“The Vietnamese community has enriched Australia in so many ways, and their perspectives on ageing are just one example of how different cultures can shape our society for the better.
“We need policies that are inclusive and culturally responsive, so all Australians can age with dignity and joy,” she said.
Dr Nguyen’s research: Social Relational Notions of Successful Ageing: Contesting Dominant Individualised Conceptions of Successful Ageing By Examining Migrant Intergenerational Lived Experiences was published in The Gerontologist Journal, last month.
