Proposed Title
Information journeys of culturally and linguistically diverse older adults and caregivers accessing home care services
Supervisors
Principal Supervisor: Professor Tina Du
Co-Supervisor: Dr Waseem Afzal and Professor Raelen Wilding, La Trobe University
Research
The ageing population poses significant challenges worldwide, affecting individuals, families, communities, and societies. In Australia, aged care services for over four million older adults include home care packages (HCPs), residential care, and transition care. Demand for HCPs is increasing, as many prefer to remain with family (informal caregivers). Older adults from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds who hold citizenship or permanent residence are eligible for HCPs from service providers (formal caregivers). However, literature indicates that CALD older adults face significant challenges in accessing social and healthcare support compared with their Anglo-Australian counterparts. These CALD older adults tend to seek and share information through a variety of channels, including social and community networks. Yet limited research exists on their information-seeking behaviours when accessing HCPs. This study explores the information journeys of CALD older adults and their caregivers through semi-structured interviews with migrants aged 65+ from non-English-speaking backgrounds and their caregivers. The findings aim to inform guidelines to enhance access to information, supporting well-being, independence, and social integration for successful ageing. Insights from this research will address challenges faced by CALD older adults and their caregivers and propose strategies for more inclusive communication and support within aged care services.
Why I chose Charles Sturt
I moved to the School of Information and Communication Studies following my principal supervisor who joined the CSU at the end of 2023. To gain further insight into the school, I found that it has a distinguished history in Library and Information Science (LIS) education and is regarded as the leading school for studying information science in Australia. Given that my research focuses on the information journey of migrant older adults, I am confident that this school provides the most suitable environment to advance my academic and professional goals in information studies. For this reason, I transferred my PhD candidature from the University of South Australia in Adelaide to Charles Sturt University in Bathurst.
Engagement and Memberships
iSchools Aisa-Pacific Future Information Leaders Network
Publications
1. Islam, M.S. (2025). Information Journeys of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Older Adults Accessing Home Care Services. Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, 74(3), 466–468. https://doi.org/10.1080/24750158.2025.2538286
2. Islam, M.S. and Du, J.T. (2025). Political Advocacy and Social Justice through Information for Marginalised Communities. Information Matters, Vol. 5, No. 4, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5226491 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5226491
Conference presentations
1. Islam, M.S., Du, J.T., Afzal, W., & Wilding, R. (2025). Supporting Family Carers: Navigating Information to Access Home Care Packages, 3-5 November 2025, Research Applications in Information and Library Studies (RAILS) Conference, Charles Sturt University, Sydney, https://railsconference.wordpress.com/
2. Islam, M.S., Du, J.T., Afzal, W., & Wilding, R. (2024). Information journeys of culturally and linguistically diverse older adults accessing home care services, 18-20 November 2024, Research Applications in Information and Library Studies (RAILS) Conference, Curtin University, Perth, https://railsconference.wordpress.com/rails-2023/
HDR Colloquium 2024
1. Islam, M.S., Du, J.T., Afzal, W., & Wilding, R. (2024). Information Journeys for CALD Older Australians when accessing Home Care Services, 28-29 October 2024, 2024 HDR Colloquium, received the best award in the category of Engagement with Colloquium Theme for Country and Community. https://arts-ed.csu.edu.au/research/faculty-of-arts-and-education-hdr-colloquium/2024-hdr-colloquium-for-country-and-community
