What Is Culture Change?

"Culture change" is the common name given to the national movement for the transformation of older adult services, based on person-directed values and practices where the voices of elders and those working with them are considered and respected. Core person-directed values are choice, dignity, respect, self-determination and purposeful living.

Culture change transformation supports the creation of both long and short-term living environments as well as community-based settings where both older adults and their caregivers are able to express choice and practice self-determination in meaningful ways at every level of daily life.

Culture change transformation may require changes in organization practices, physical environments, relationships at all levels and workforce models – leading to better outcomes for consumers and direct care workers without inflicting detrimental costs on providers.