The characteristics and experiences of older immigrants living with dementia in Australia: A multi-method secondary analysis
Presenter(s) ORCID:
Pelden Chejor: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6713-7421
Patricia Cain: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4377-3690
Mustafa Atee: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0837-3245
Bridget Laging: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9998-6134
Davina Porock: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4161-9697
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Start Date
4-12-2024 3:30 PM
Presentation Type
Presentation
Keywords
dementia, ageing, immigrants, culture, language, secondary data
Abstract
Objective The number of ageing immigrants in Australia and worldwide is increasing, and many are experiencing poor health, including cognitive decline in late life. Evidence suggests that immigrants are at increased risk of dementia due to age-related chronic diseases, cultural and linguistic barriers, and differing health beliefs that can impede access to dementia care. Ageing immigrants living with dementia in a foreign country create a complex care needs not only for themselves but also for their family members and/or caregivers. Australia is home to thousands of older people from culturally diverse backgrounds, and understanding their needs and preferences for dementia care is critical. This research aimed to explore the characteristics and experiences of older immigrants living with dementia in Australia. Method We used secondary data to investigate the characteristics and experiences of older immigrants living with dementia in four studies. Study one was a systematic review that synthesised the evidence on the experiences of older immigrants living with dementia and their caregivers using academic literature. Study two explored and described the dementia care experiences of older immigrants living using qualitative secondary data from the Australian Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Study three and four were quantitative studies that compared the neuropsychiatric symptoms and pain experiences, respectively for immigrant and non-immigrant older adults living with dementia in Australian residential aged care homes referred to Dementia Support Australia for assessment. Results Our findings illustrate the importance of culture and language in understanding the characteristics and experiences of people living with dementia. Themes that emerged from the qualitative analyses (Study one and two) showed that language barriers, culturally inappropriate care, lack of dementia knowledge, and dementia-related stigma impeded access to dementia care services for older immigrants negatively impacting their health and well-being. The quantitative studies (study three and four) demonstrated that immigrant’s experiences of neuropsychiatric symptoms and pain appear to differ, particularly if they belong to a non-English-speaking group compared to non-immigrants. Cultural factors and language barriers frequently contributed to neuropsychiatric symptoms for immigrants. Findings also suggest the need to recognise secondary data as a rich source of information for dementia care research considering the challenges of involving or recruiting people living with dementia in research. This research further argues for the need to have standard protocols and guidelines for conducting and reporting studies that use secondary data. Conclusion It is the responsibility of the country of destination to ensure that all people living with dementia and their families receive the care and support they need at all life stages. This research provides recommendations for policy and practice, and research direction in order to improve dementia care and ensure person-centred care for all people living with dementia and their families. Findings from this research are expected to contribute to the literature on dementia and migration and help develop a strong experiential understanding robust enough to influence policies in planning culturally and linguistically safe care.
Recommended Citation
Chejor, P., Cain, P., Atee, M., Laging, B., & Porock, D. (2024). The characteristics and experiences of older immigrants living with dementia in Australia: A multi-method secondary analysis. Australia-Bhutan Research Conference. Edith Cowan University. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/abr_conference/2024/Wednesday_December_4th/8/
The characteristics and experiences of older immigrants living with dementia in Australia: A multi-method secondary analysis
Objective The number of ageing immigrants in Australia and worldwide is increasing, and many are experiencing poor health, including cognitive decline in late life. Evidence suggests that immigrants are at increased risk of dementia due to age-related chronic diseases, cultural and linguistic barriers, and differing health beliefs that can impede access to dementia care. Ageing immigrants living with dementia in a foreign country create a complex care needs not only for themselves but also for their family members and/or caregivers. Australia is home to thousands of older people from culturally diverse backgrounds, and understanding their needs and preferences for dementia care is critical. This research aimed to explore the characteristics and experiences of older immigrants living with dementia in Australia. Method We used secondary data to investigate the characteristics and experiences of older immigrants living with dementia in four studies. Study one was a systematic review that synthesised the evidence on the experiences of older immigrants living with dementia and their caregivers using academic literature. Study two explored and described the dementia care experiences of older immigrants living using qualitative secondary data from the Australian Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Study three and four were quantitative studies that compared the neuropsychiatric symptoms and pain experiences, respectively for immigrant and non-immigrant older adults living with dementia in Australian residential aged care homes referred to Dementia Support Australia for assessment. Results Our findings illustrate the importance of culture and language in understanding the characteristics and experiences of people living with dementia. Themes that emerged from the qualitative analyses (Study one and two) showed that language barriers, culturally inappropriate care, lack of dementia knowledge, and dementia-related stigma impeded access to dementia care services for older immigrants negatively impacting their health and well-being. The quantitative studies (study three and four) demonstrated that immigrant’s experiences of neuropsychiatric symptoms and pain appear to differ, particularly if they belong to a non-English-speaking group compared to non-immigrants. Cultural factors and language barriers frequently contributed to neuropsychiatric symptoms for immigrants. Findings also suggest the need to recognise secondary data as a rich source of information for dementia care research considering the challenges of involving or recruiting people living with dementia in research. This research further argues for the need to have standard protocols and guidelines for conducting and reporting studies that use secondary data. Conclusion It is the responsibility of the country of destination to ensure that all people living with dementia and their families receive the care and support they need at all life stages. This research provides recommendations for policy and practice, and research direction in order to improve dementia care and ensure person-centred care for all people living with dementia and their families. Findings from this research are expected to contribute to the literature on dementia and migration and help develop a strong experiential understanding robust enough to influence policies in planning culturally and linguistically safe care.