The global aged care workforce is increasingly multicultural, reflecting the fact that by 2050, around 80% of older people will live in low- and middle-income countries. This diversity demands inclusive workforce engagement strategies that move beyond Western-centric paradigms. This Masterclass explores how narrative learning, combined with the Eden Alternative’s Domains of Well-Being, can transform and empower aged care teams across cultures.

Narrative learning harnesses storytelling and shared lived experiences as powerful educational tools, making training more relatable and culturally resonant. It not only deepens caregivers’ understanding of elders’ lives but also honours the knowledge multicultural staff bring from their own communities. This approach lays the foundation for decolonising care practices by valuing diverse perspectives and lived experiences.

The Eden Alternative’s seven Domains of Well-Being—identity, connectedness, security, autonomy, meaning, growth, and joy—offer a relationship-centered framework for care improvement. Through storytelling, caregivers learn how daily interactions can either support or hinder these domains. A personal story, for instance, can illuminate the importance of honouring identity and autonomy during care planning. Linking real-world narratives to this framework helps multicultural teams internalise universal care values in a meaningful, evidence-based way.

Our approach draws on community psychology principles of social justice and empowerment. Centring narratives gives voice to traditionally marginalised caregivers and care recipients, transforming top-down training into collaborative knowledge exchange. By inviting caregivers from varied cultural and socio-economic backgrounds to share insights, the workshop addresses inequality in the care sector and fosters empowerment, aligned with the Eden Alternative’s call for shared decision-making. Frontline workers become advocates for elder well-being and cultural humility, activating choice, autonomy, and influence at every level.

Ultimately, the Masterclass will demonstrate how storytelling can engage and inspire a global aged care workforce towards more culturally responsive, person-directed care. Participants will explore how the Eden Domains provide a practical, actionable roadmap for inclusive practice transformation, guided by community psychology’s emphasis on context and equity. Rooted in real-world stories and lived experience, this approach equips care providers to better understand and honour diverse cultural contexts of ageing—driving policy and practice change that says “Yebo/Yes!” to dignity, connection, and well-being for elders worldwide.

 

Learning Objectives

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Apply narrative learning principles to multicultural aged care environments.

• Utilise the Eden Alternative’s Domains of Well-Being in guiding culturally responsive care.

• Foster empowerment and inclusive decision-making among diverse workforce teams.

• Advocate for equity-driven, decolonised ageing initiatives.

Activities and Engagement Strategies

• Interactive Story Circles: Sharing personal caregiving narratives.

• Case Study Discussions: Analysing real-life examples through the Eden Domains lens.

• Role-Play Exercises: Practising culturally sensitive communication techniques.

• Action Mapping: Committing to practical applications within participants’ organisations.

Expected Outcomes

• Practical tools to embed narrative learning into training and engagement programs.

• Strengthened ability to align care practices with the Eden Alternative framework.

• Increased confidence to foster inclusive, empowered aged care environments.

• Inspiration to lead culture change initiatives grounded in dignity, joy, and justice.

Bio Michelle Daniel:

 

Anne-Michelle Daniel, MHA, CFRE, is the President and CEO of The Eden Alternative®, an international nonprofit dedicated to transforming care environments into communities where individuals thrive, regardless of age or ability. With over two decades of leadership experience in eldercare, philanthropy, and organisational development, she has spearheaded major fundraising initiatives, implemented innovative leadership programs, and advanced culture change in long-term care. Anne-Michelle holds a Master of Health Administration from the University of Memphis, is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), and is a licensed Nursing Home Administrator. Passionate about person-centred care, leadership development, and wellness, she continues to inspire transformation across the ageing services sector.

Sally Hopkins Bio:

 

Sally Hopkins serves as the Chief Executive Officer of The Eden Alternative® in Australia and New Zealand, and plays an active role in advancing Eden’s principles across parts of East Asia, including China and Singapore. With extensive leadership experience in the aged care sector, Ms. Hopkins is dedicated to fostering environments that prioritise dignity, autonomy, and meaningful engagement for older adults. Her work champions the transformation of traditional models of care into person-directed, life-affirming communities. Through her efforts, The Eden Alternative continues to expand its impact, promoting culture change and enhancing the quality of life for elders and care partners alike.

 

Prof. Rayne Stroebel is a gerontologist with extensive expertise in eldercare and dementia advocacy. He earned his master’s degree in 2016 and a PhD in 2022 from the University of Stirling, Scotland.

As the Founder and Managing Director of GERATEC (Gerontological Research, Training, Education, and Caring), established in 1996 in Cape Town, Dr. Stroebel has dedicated his career to enhancing the quality of life for older persons through innovative care models grounded in international best practices. Additionally, he serves as the Regional Coordinator for The Eden Alternative South Africa, where he promotes the transformation of care homes into nurturing environments that foster authentic relationships.