Exploring health care workers’ perceptions and experiences of communication with ethnic minority elders

Abstract

Purpose There is a recognition in Europe and in the western world of a demographic shift in the ageing population. While the overall ageing of the general population is growing, the numbers of immigrants getting old in their host countries is also increasing, thereby increasing the racial and ethnic proportion of older people in these countries. This changing landscape calls for understanding of issues related to health care provision, policy and research regarding ethnic minorities. Communication is seen as a key factor in understanding the needs of ethnic minority elders (EMEs). The purpose of this paper is to explore health care workers’ (HCWs) perceptions and experiences of communication with EMEs. In this paper the term HCW includes qualified nurses and health care assistants. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive qualitative study design using semi-structured interviews was employed. Ten HCWs, who had ethnic minorities in their care were individually interviewed to explore their perceptions and experiences of communication when caring for EMEs. Findings Analysis of data revealed that in common with all older people, EMEs experience stereotyped attitudes and difficulties in communication. However, EMEs face particular challenges, including cultural differences, different language and stereotyping of care based on misunderstood needs of EMEs. Facilitators of communication included appropriate training of HCWs and appropriate use of interpreters. Research limitations/implications Only homes willing to take part in the study gave permission for their staff to be interviewed. In addition, the HCWs came from various settings. Therefore, views of staff in homes who did not give permission may not be represented. Practical implications The diversity of older people needing care in nursing homes and the community calls for training in culturally competent communication for effective provision care provision for EMEs. Originality/value Training of health care staff in culturally appropriate communication requires effective practice.

Optimising social conditions to improve autonomy in communication and care for ethnic minority residents in nursing homes: A meta‐synthesis of qualitative research

“…An illustration of a negative attitude is a staff member interrupting communication attempts by residents (Small et al, 2015, p. 294). Stereotypical attitudes also hindered cross‐cultural communication as a staff described: ‘If you say the Indians are always like that then you go to that person with that attitude … you find you are creating a communicating problem with them’ (Likupe et al, 2018, p. 185).…”

“…Staff cultural competence was a crucial microsocial condition for culturally responsive care. Staff cultural awareness contributed to the provision of individualised care that considered resident cultural preferences (Likupe et al, 2018; Small et al, 2015; Xiao et al, 2018). Staff capability to build reciprocal relationships with ethnic minority residents was an important attribute for obtaining resident cooperation during care activities (Jansson, 2014; Small et al, 2015; Xiao et al, 2018).…”

“…Moreover, providing written information in residents' native language was used to keep residents informed of nursing home activities and to empower them to participate, as a staff member said: ‘the benefits of a common language were that nursing and everyday life and activities at the group home operated more smoothly when the non‐Swedish speaking residents received instructions in their native language’ (Söderman & Rosendahl, 2016, p. 319). Furthermore, providing education on cross‐cultural care enabled staff to meet care needs and expectations for ethnic minority residents, as a staff member said: ‘I think education definitely and some background knowledge if the elder comes from a different culture and community’ (Likupe et al, 2018, p. 185). In addition, it was also identified that providing ongoing peer support for staff at the point of care to improve culturally safe care, as a nursing home manager described: ‘We need to provide ongoing support for those people [staff] through that buddy element.…”

“…Some nursing homes showed little effort to support staff to have meaningful interactions with residents from ethnic minority groups, deeming that it requires extra time for staff, as a staff member described: ‘The nurse does not have time to sit and listen or find an alternative form of communication as she is not able to give time and the patient is just left’ (Likupe et al, 2018, p. 184). A similar perception was described by another staff member: ‘You'd find that if a patient doesn't speak English, that patient might suffer more because the nurses would think he is wasting much of my time’ (Likupe et al, 2018, p. 184).…”

Canadian Settlement in Action: History and Future

“…One employment function of a settlement practitioner is evaluating client need. Likupe, Baxter, and Jogi (2018) report in their study on perceptions of elder immigrant clients and care workers that older immigrants are often stereotyped as having physical deficits, particularly clients from other cultures (p. 186). There is a lack of understanding of elderly newcomers from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds (p. 184).…”