In quite a short amount of time, Sweden has gone from being a relatively homogeneous society to a multicultural one, with a rapid expansion of immigrants having culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds growing old in Sweden. This is particularly interesting in relation to studying age-related dementia diseases. Research shows that not only do CALD persons with dementia diseases tend to mix languages, have difficulties with separation of languages, or revert to speaking only their native tongue as the disease progresses, but they also show tendencies to experience that they live in the cultural environment in which they were brought up, rather than in the current Swedish one. In this article, we explore findings in relation to one such CALD group in Sweden, Iranians. The article is empirically driven and based on data gathered in 2 separate settings with specific ethnocultural profiles, offering dementia care with Middle Eastern, Arab, and/or Persian profile. Observations were carried out in combination with semistructured in-depth interviews (n = 66). By using a combination of content and ethnographic analysis, 4 main findings related to ethnocultural dementia care were elucidated. These include (a) a wider recognition of people from different CALD backgrounds possibly having different perceptions of what dementia is, (b) a possibility that such ascribed meaning of dementia has a bearing on health maintenance and health-seeking behavior as well as the inclination to use formal services or not, (c) choosing to use formal service in the forms of ethnoculturally profiled dementia care facility seems to relate to being able to "live up to ideals of Iranian culture," and (d) "culture," however ambiguous and hotly debated a concept it is, appears to be a relevant aspect of people's lives, an aspect that is both acquired as well as ascribed to oneself and to others. As such, we argue that culture needs to be further addressed in relation to dementia care in multicultural societies because ascribing culture boxes people in as well as out. In addition, ethnocultural contextualization of dementia care needs to be understood in relation to this because it affects the care provided.

Previous research has shown how filial piety is strong among people of Iranian background and that traditional Iranian culture result in most families’ preferring to care for their elderly (and sick) family members at home. While acknowledging this, this article highlights what living in diaspora could mean in terms of cultural adaption and changing family values. By interviewing people with Iranian background living in Sweden (n = 20), whom all have been former primary caregivers to a relative living with dementia, we are able to show how the decision to cease caregiving at home is taken, and what underlying factors form the basis for such decision. Results indicate that although the existence of a Persian profiled dementia care facility is crucial in the making of the decision, it is the feeling of ‘sheer exhaustion’ that is the main factor for ceasing care at home. And, we argue, the ability to make such a decision based upon ‘being too tired’ must be understood in relation to transition processes and changes in lifestyle having an affect upon cultural values in relation to filial piety. Because, at the same time the changes on cultural values might not change accordingly among the elderly who are the ones moving into residential care, resulting in them quite often being left out of the actual decision.

This article discusses Iranian family members' attitudes towards the culturally profiled nursing home, their relationships with the staff, the obstacles, their hopes and their fears. This study is based on qualitative research using 29 semi-structured interviews with family members who had previously been informal caregivers, as well as using fieldwork, all in the same nursing home. The interviews were analysed by the three steps of content analysis. The results show the identification of three main categories with nine main subcategories. The categories and subcategories in the table clarify and explain how the interviewees tended to compare the situation in Iran with that in Sweden, how they perceived the situation in Sweden and finally how they also saw the culturally profiled nursing home.

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Introduction: Today's multicultural society has resulted in major changes, with healthcare undergoing significant modifications. Healthcare workers and patients are increasingly confronted with "cultural" backgrounds other than their own. The world's population is ageing, and the number of people with dementia is growing, resulting in a growing number of older people with a foreign background whose care needs have increased at different rates. Migration does not only mean moving from one place to another; it also involves the transition of an individual's lifestyle, life views, social and economic adjustments that may lead to certain changes. These transitions from the "old" to the "new" way of life and from a life without dementia to a life with dementia involve making sense of life's changes. Aim: The aim of study I was to explore the experiences and perceptions of dementia among Iranian staff working in a culturally profiled nursing home (CPNH). The aim of studies II and III was to explore relatives' decisions to end caregiving at home, and Iranian families' and relatives' attitudes towards CPNHs in Sweden. The aim of study (IV) was to explore how the residents with dementia at the CPNH expressed the feeling of "home". Method: This thesis is based on more than one year's fieldwork. The empirical material is based on interviews and observations. Three groups of participants were interviewed and observed: 10 people with dementia (IV), 20 family caregivers and relatives (II and III, respectively) and 34 staff members (I). The interviews were conducted in Persian/Farsi, Azerbaijani, English and Swedish. The choice of language was always up to the participants. All the interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim in the respective languages and then translated later into Swedish. The analysis of the material was based on content analysis blended with ethnography. Results: Study I shows that people from different culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds could have different perceptions of what dementia entails. A lack of knowledge concerning dementia affects how staff approach these people. Study II shows that the CPNH is crucial when deciding to cease caregiving at home. It is important to ensure that relatives with dementia are Dementia across cultural borders 2 cared for by someone who speaks the same mother tongue. The results indicate that positive feelings of relief or comfort are dominant responses among the participants, some of whom even feel pride in the high standard of care provided by the home. In Study III, most participants based their views on a comparison between the CPNH and Iranian nursing homes after the Islamic Revolution. Negative views of the nursing home were evaluated alongside what the respondents considered to be typically Iranian. In Study IV, the results show that people with dementia's personal experiences of home played a great role, and although none of the participants felt at home, all of them stated that the CPNH was a place to live in. Conclusion: Perceptions of d...