With a background in social work, Theresa Kwok has been helping migrants settle in Australia from the moment she arrived from Hong Kong 35 years ago.
For most of this time, she has supported older migrants from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities at Perth’s Chung Wah Community and Aged Care. Theresa is now CEO of the organisation, which delivers a range of community care programs for clients, their families and ethnic communities. She looks after about 800 clients.
Theresa helps elderly members of CALD communities to live independently and has created more equitable access to culturally appropriate migrant and aged-care services across all communities.
Recognised with multiple awards for her efforts, Theresa is constantly reshaping how aged and community care services are delivered to meet changing demands.
Her advocacy continues to raise awareness of the unique challenges and strengths of CALD older people within government, service providers and CALD communities.
A good death, a shared journey
Precis
This panel explores the end-of-life journey with honesty, compassion and cultural sensitivity. Together, we’ll consider how to respect personal choices, honour cultural and spiritual traditions, and ensure dignity for the person who is dying. Just as importantly, we’ll discuss how families and loved ones can be supported through grief and loss, so that a good death becomes not only an individual experience, but a shared journey of care, respect and healing.