Sikhs in Aged care

Sikhs in aged care are likely to want to be afforded the same treatment and rights as other Sikhs living in Australia.

This includes those rights outlined in other parts of this website. For example, Sikh men and women who are practising Sikhs will wish to keep their Kes (uncut bodily hair), keep some or all of the 5Ks on their body at all times and may also have food requirements.

These needs should be discussed with the resident as well as the family to ensure the relevant needs can be catered for during their stay.

Best practice would also be to ensure all relevant carers are aware of these needs.

There have been distressing incidents around the world in which aged care residents have had their hair cut / shaved to make them look “more presentable” not knowing that this act would cause immense distress to the resident and their respective family.

Sikhs do not have to go to a place of worship to practice their religion however the Sikh place of worship does act as a community centre and a hub of the communities activities. Elder Sikhs will usually gather at their local Gurdwara during the day and activities may also exist for seniors for certain times during the week. Requests to visit the Gurdwara should be considered favourably as they enhance the Sikh’s quality of life. Similarly, family plays a big role in Sikh and Punjabi culture. Sikh residents should be allowed to visit or receive all family visitors during any appropriate time to ensure continuity of connection.

Most Sikhs will come from a Punjabi, Indian background. However not all Sikhs have migrated to Australia directly from Punjab. In fact many Sikhs have come to Australia from other parts of the world. For example many Sikhs have made Australia their home after having 2 - 3 generations of families in places such as Kenya, the UK, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.