Elderly Immigrants Research Articles

Information and Communication Technology Use, Social Support, and Life Satisfaction among Korean Immigrant Elders

This study recruited 150 community dwelling Korean immigrant elders to understand the role of information and communication technology (ICT) use on social support and life satisfaction by utilizing purposive sampling methods. Hierarchical multiple regression results indicated that a high level of smartphone use was significantly related to a high level of social support from families. High levels of smartphone use and social media use were significantly related to a high level of social support from friends. In addition, a high level of social media use was significantly related to a high level of life satisfaction among Korean immigrant elders. The findings of this study may provide insights for social service practitioners working with Korean immigrant elders to develop culturally appropriate services by using ICTs for improving social support systems and quality of life among the population. Future research with a longitudinal and experimental design can be conducted to better understand the long-term patterns of findings and causal relationships.

\u201cIt is always me against the Norwegian system.\u201d barriers and facilitators in accessing and using dementia care by minority ethnic groups in Norway: a qualitative study

BackgroundDementia is one of the greatest health challenges in the contemporary world. Due to several barriers to accessing health care services, elderly immigrants constitute a group that poses special challenges in dementia diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators in accessing and using dementia care services by minority ethnic groups in Norway.MethodsThe study utilised a qualitative design. The participants included family caregivers of individuals from minority ethnic groups living with dementia, representatives of immigrant communities, and representatives of health and care personnel working with people living with dementia. Individual semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out in 2018 and 2019 in Oslo and Akershus. Interviews were analysed using thematic analyses.ResultsSeveral barriers and facilitators in accessing and using dementia care services were identified, the most important of which were related to lack of knowledge of dementia, lack of awareness of dementia care services, lack of language skills, culturally based differences, the organisation of Norwegian dementia care services, and immigrants’ socio-economic status. According to the study participants, having health care personnel in the family and further adaptation of dementia services to the needs of people with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds facilitate access to dementia services.ConclusionsThe study shows the need to develop inclusive policies that promote a patient-centred approach to ensure that individuals from minority ethnic groups receive appropriate dementia care.

Abstract P158: Addressing Hypertension And Aging In Growing Pakistani Elderly San Joaquin Population

Introduction: San Joaquin Pakistani elderly population (SJPEP) face health problems due to poor nutritional habits, financial and emotional stress from loss of social status, loss of physical capabilities, loneliness, reduced income which can increase risk for hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Pakistan is ranked as the 12th highest source country for immigration into the United States. SJ has a growing rate of at risk for hypertension elderly Pakistani immigrants who live with their full time working adult children. Objectives: Trainees conducted hypertension screenings at mosques located in the most medically served county, San Joaquin (SJ) to reduce the risk of CVD and spread awareness on hypertension, stress management, nutrition, exercise, and their implications in the Pakistani population. Methods: I trained medically ambitious low-income minority high school students to conduct blood pressure screenings and serve as a health technology coach for the Pakistani elderly population at mosques. Hypertension screenings, stress management guidance, nutrition, and heart health talks were conducted at SJ mosques with Imam (religious leader) for adult children and the elderly. Findings: -About 86% (128 of 149) of SJPEP felt financial and emotional stress in the last year -About 48% (71 of 149) of SJPEP are hypertensive -About 48% (71 of 149) of SJPEP are at risk for CVD -About 2% (3 of 149) of SJPEP reported daily physical exercise -About 22% (33 of 149) of SJPEP were encouraged to physically exercise -About 95% (141 of 149) of SJPEP eat more than 4 servings of red meat per week -About 94% (140 of 149) of SJPEP prefer rest over physical exercise -About 75% (111 of 149) of SJPEP felt dissatisfied by San Joaquin medical treatment Direct Outcomes: -Development of self-advocacy for health in the Pakistani elderly community -Improved patient-provider trust -Youth learned the value of empathy, multiculturalism, and service to disadvantaged communities through the program and volunteering -Adult children felt more confident in taking care of their elderly parents with nutrition and physical therapy -Program students are determined to pursue medicine and address community concerns in low-income minority groups and diversity of cultures

Involvement of Social Workers in the Community Service Provision System for the Older People in Urban China

ABSTRACT Using Guangdong Province as the focus for this research, this article explores the role and functions of social work services in the elderly care system, and then analyses the relationship between social work services and family care services in urban China. The research found that social workers are confronted with challenges when providing culturally sensitive services, indicating a need for them to further develop their capacity to interpret service items and service provision procedures for older adults and family members. IMPLICATIONS In China, social workers should focus on the impact of filial piety on older adults who are clients of community service programs. At the initial stage of service provision, social workers may need to exert considerable effort to interpret service items and service provision procedures for older adults and family members. In Australia and other countries, where social workers often work with elderly Chinese immigrants and their families, familiarity with the concept of filial piety may be important.

Barriers and strategies for implementing community-based interventions with minority elders: positive minds-strong bodies

BackgroundBy 2040, one out of three older adults in the USA are expected to belong to a racial/ethnic minority group. This population has an increased risk of mental and physical disability with significant barriers to access care. Community-based organizations (CBOs) often provide programming to serve minority and immigrant elders. Limited resources and other barriers such as lack of trained staff make it difficult to implement evidence-based interventions (EBIs) in CBOs for long-term adoption. Yet little is known about what factors can facilitate adoption of EBIs in CBOs serving minority elders.MethodsPositive-Minds–Strong Bodies (PM-SB), an evidence-based intervention offered in four languages, aims to reduce mental and physical disability for minority and immigrant elders through the efforts of community health workers and exercise trainers. The intervention consists of cognitive behavior therapy and exercise training sessions delivered over 6 months. During a recent clinical trial of this intervention, we elicited feedback from CBO staff to determine how best to facilitate the implementation and long-term sustainability of PM-SB within their agencies. We surveyed 30 CBO staff members, held four focus groups, and conducted 20 in-depth interviews to examine staff perspectives and to reveal factors or changes needed to facilitate long-term adoption in prospective CBOs.ResultsParticipants reported that staff motivation and implementation could be improved through the following changes: increasing patient compensation for treatment sessions, decreasing levels of organizational accountability, and reducing staff demands embedded in the intervention. Although most staff perceived that PM-SB improved their agency’s ability to address the health and well-being of elders, capacity-building strategies such as a “train-the-trainer” initiative were identified as priorities to address staff turnover for sustainability. Adapting the intervention to get financial reimbursement also emerged as vital.ConclusionsAugmenting financial incentives, streamlining procedures, and simplifying staff accountability were suggested strategies for facilitating the transition from a disability prevention clinical trial in minority and immigrant elders to a scalable implementation in routine services at CBOs.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02317432.

Caring for parents: modern dwellings for elderly German-Jewish immigrants in Mandatory Palestine

During the 1930s and 1940s, young German-Jewish immigrants in Mandatory Palestine joined forces to build old age homes for the middle-class immigrant elderly from Germany. Acclimatising to the new land was fraught with difficulties. In Germany, these aged individuals were respected figures until they were brutally rejected when the Nazis came to power. The young pioneers of Mandatory Palestine, who struggled to make a living in their new homeland, were worn out by the economic and mental burden of caring for their parents. 1937 marked a first attempt to build a modern old age home. But the idea came into fruition only in 1946, when the Women’s Social Service organisation opened a modern old age home in Tel Aviv. The entrepreneurs and architects involved had all emigrated from Germany. The home’s plans followed German modern architectural and social concepts adapted to the local lifestyle and climate. Presenting new historical facts, this article offers a significant understanding of modernism as a social instrument in Mandatory Palestine. It explores how new ideas transferred from one culture to another, and how these modernist ideas were integrated within the plans of old age homes in Mandatory Palestine.

Chibanis and chibanias or long-term (in)hospitality

In this paper, we discuss the concept of (in)hospitality and its implications in the daily life of elderly immigrants in France today. On the basis of the qualitative surveys we used, we have come to focus more specifically on the ageing of chibanis and chibanias, those immigrants who came to France mostly under state migration programmes from the 1960s onwards. Some of them face unsafe and precarious living conditions and severe cuts in their social rights, thereby epitomizing the inhospitable practices of institutions. In light of this, we argue that it is the local actors of hospitality, often associations, who have to take over and try to redress situations that are perceived as unfair. The people concerned also participate in (re)creating spaces for hospitality and mutual aid in places such as cafés, but also in conquering and asserting their rights and the social recognition they lack. These actors of civil society are mobilised “here” and “there”, i.e. both in the host country and in the country of origin – Morocco in this case study –, which is somehow reminiscent of the “in-between” life for part of these now ageing populations.

Bridging the Atlantic Projects: nursing students learning to work globally with vulnerable groups

Abstract Background Providing care for vulnerable groups requires the development of competencies such as openness to diversity, cultural sensitivity and equity. Health education institutions face the challenge of preparing students in developing these competencies in a global world. The Bridging the Atlantic program, a partnership between the University of the Azores (Portugal) and the University of Dartmouth (MA, US) in the field of Community Nursing, was created to respond to this need. Students from both universities work collaboratively to develop competencies in providing health care to vulnerable groups based on the IN-STEP (International Student Exchange Partnership) Framework. Objectives (i) to contribute to the improvement of the health status of vulnerable groups; (ii) to develop clinical competencies addressing vulnerable groups among nursing students. Results Between 2015 and 2019, 110 students were involved in health promotion projects carried out with aggregates of elderly immigrants, deportees, fishermen, children from low income schools. The benefits for the vulnerable groups were mainly related to raise awareness in the communities concerning the problems these groups face. Regarding the impact of the program on training, students reported they developed competencies on: (i) understanding cultural differences; (ii) recognizing different health care systems; (iii) reconsidering the role of the nurse; (iv) building teamwork; (v) integrating theory into practice; and, (vi) peer mutual learning. Conclusions Engaging in health promotion projects globally through collaborative efforts seemed to be effective for the improvement of health of vulnerable groups and student development. Key messages Universities need to deepen the development of competencies in students to intervene with vulnerable groups in a global world. Although designed for nursing students in a community context, this model can be used in similar ways by other fields of health or social intervention.

Are elderly immigrants meeting the challenges of successful aging? Review of literature on the aging of elderly migrants in France

Since the mid-20th century, scientists have constantly examined the conditions for healthy aging. Successful Aging as a paradigm has gradually spread far beyond the scientific sphere. Access to « successful-aging » has become a collective purpose as a policy reference in our contemporary societies. As people get older in their host country, immigrants have to conform to the dominant gerontological models. Therefore, the « success » of elderly migrants’ aging in France represents a political and public health objective. This article aims at examining the links between migration and aging in order to better understand the social and spatial issues associated with the elderly immigrants « successful-aging » in France. To deal with this problem, a literature review on the aging conditions of immigrants in France (based on a corpus of 75 references) was completed. This article combines the results of this state of the art by analyzing the situations of elderly migrants through two of the main components of Successful Aging (1. Their health status and 2. Their social networks and commitment in social life). The results demonstrate that the « success » of aging is more complex for elderly migrants compared to the normative ideal of « successful-aging ». While it is necessary to avoid a generalized view of their situations, the living conditions in France and the discontinuities encountered expose some of these groups to significant difficulties in old age. Research in geography is necessary to spatialize the different aging experiences of immigrants within their own territories.Key-words : aging, migration, elderly, health

Effectiveness of a Disability Preventive Intervention for Minority and Immigrant Elders: The Positive Minds-Strong Bodies Randomized Clinical Trial

To test the acceptability and effectiveness of a disability prevention intervention, Positive Minds-Strong Bodies (PMSB), offered by paraprofessionals to mostly immigrant elders in four languages. Randomized trial of 307 participants, equally randomized into intervention or enhanced usual care. Community-based organizations in Massachusetts, New York, Florida, and Puerto Rico serving minority elders. Data collected at baseline, 2, 6, and 12 months, between May 2015 and March 2019. English-, Spanish-, Mandarin-, or Cantonese-speaking adults, age 60+, not seeking disability prevention services, but eligible per elevated mood symptoms and minor to moderate physical dysfunction. Ten individual sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (PM) concurrently offered with 36 group sessions of strengthening exercise training (SB) over 6 months compared to enhanced usual care. Acceptability defined as satisfaction and attendance to >50% of sessions. Effectiveness determined by changes in mood symptoms (HSCL-25 and GAD-7), functional performance (SPPB), self-reported disability (LLFDI), and disability days (WHODAS 2.0). Around 77.6% of intervention participants attended over half of PM Sessions; 53.4% attended over half of SB sessions. Intent-to-treat analyses at 6 months showed significant intervention effects: improved functioning per SPPB and LLFDI, and lowered mood symptoms per HSCL-25. Intent-to-treat analyses at 12 months showed that effects remained significant for LLFDI and HSCL-25, and disability days (per WHODAS 2.0) significantly decreased 6-month after the intervention. PMSB offered by paraprofessionals in community-based organizations demonstrates good acceptability and seems to improve functioning, with a compliance-benefit effect showing compliance as an important determinant of the intervention response.

Factor Structures of Reasons for Immigration Among Older Asian and Latino Immigrants in the United States.

Backgrounds and ObjectivesAlthough reasons for immigration are significant predictors of immigrants’ health, factor structures of reasons for immigration are still unclear among older immigrants. The present study examined the factor structure of reasons for immigration among older Asian and Latino immigrants in the United States.Research Design and MethodsDrawn from the National Latino and Asian American Study, 396 Latino and 298 Asian immigrants over 55 years of age were selected for analysis. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted for nine items concerning reasons for immigration in each immigrant group.ResultsThree factors were extracted from both Asian and Latino immigrant elders: (a) “voluntary reasons” to pursue development, (b) “involuntary reasons” due to uncontrollable situations, and (c) “semivoluntary reasons” regarding family/medical duties. While immigration to join family members was located in the “semivoluntary reasons” factor among older Asian immigrants, it was located in the “voluntary reasons” factor among older Latino immigrants.Discussion and ImplicationsThese findings suggest that three underlying factors of reasons for immigration should be understood considering the different characteristics of two racial/ethnic groups of immigrants. In addition, a migratory reason to join the family should be considered differently for elderly Asian and Latino immigrants. This three-factor framework of reasons for immigration can help clinicians provide more culturally sensitive interventions for older minority immigrants.

“Misafir İşçiden” “Yaşlı Göçmene” Avrupa’da Yaşlanan Göçmenlerin Sorunları: Fransa Örneği

<div><!--block-->European countries started accepting mass numbers of migrant workers in the 1950s and 1960s with bilateral agreements to address labor shortages in Europe. Initially, migrant “guest workers” were perceived favorably for their contribution to the workforce. However, once migrants ceased working and grew older and more settled in their host countries, they were seen as “problems” due to the cost of social and health care services. In this study, we aim to examine the problems of elderly immigrants in France. The elderly immigrant population of 21.8% in France is above the European average of 14.8%. Older migrants face many problems stemming from structural and individual factors. These problems are examined in terms of belonging, socioeconomic status, health, access to care services and inequalities in health outcomes. These problems result in the economic and social isolation of immigrants from society. Exposure of migrant workers to challenging work conditions throughout their working lives contributes to deterioration of their health at an early age and poor health outcomes. Yet they are disadvantaged in accessing health care and social services. The highlight of the study is that these problems should be dealt with using a holistic perspective. In conclusion, we call for their full integration in the French social contract through policy changes. In this context, the necessary regulations for the elderly migrants to live in harmony with the society are mentioned.&nbsp;</div>

Quality of life of elderly Chinese immigrants: focusing on living arrangements and social capital

ABSTRACTThis study examines the relationship between living arrangements, social capital, and quality of life of elderly Chinese immigrants in the United States. For this purpose, data were collected from 205 Chinese immigrants aged 65 years and above who did not have any cognitive disorders and were living in Los Angeles County. The primary variables considered included demographic data, living arrangements, social capital, and the quality of life. Results showed that the quality of life of elderly Chinese immigrants was significantly influenced by their life with a spouse or children and traits of social capital, such as trust, partnership with the community, and political participation. Findings indicate that trust, partnership, political participation, and living with a spouse or children are closely related to the quality of life of elderly Chinese immigrants. This study highlights the importance of developing a community atmosphere and policy to enhance elderly Chinese immigrants’ social participation, trust, and life with family members to further improve their subjective quality of life. Results may have implications for elderly immigrants from other countries, as well.

Sensor-Based Passive Remote Monitoring and Discordant Values: Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Low-Income Immigrant Elders in the United States.

BackgroundRemote monitoring technologies are positioned to mitigate the problem of a dwindling care workforce and disparities in access to care for the growing older immigrant population in the United States. To achieve these ends, designers and providers need to understand how these supports can be best provided in the context of various sociocultural environments that shape older adults’ expectations and care relationships, yet few studies have examined how the same remote monitoring technologies may produce different effects and uses depending on what population is using them in a particular context.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the experiences and insights of low-income, immigrant senior residents, family contacts, and staff of housing that offered a sensor-based passive monitoring system designed to track changes in movement around the home and trigger alerts for caregivers. The senior housing organization had been offering the QuietCare sensor system to its residents for 6 years at the time of the study. We are interested in adoption and discontinuation decisions and use over time, rather than projected acceptance. Our research question is how do cultural differences influence use and experiences with this remote monitoring technology? The study does not draw generalizable conclusions about how cultural groups interact with a given technology, but rather, it examines how values are made visible in elder care technology interactions.MethodsA total of 41 participants (residents, family, and staff) from 6 large senior housing independent living apartment buildings were interviewed. Interviews were conducted in English and Korean with these participants who collectively had immigrated to the United States from 10 countries.ResultsThe reactions of immigrant older adults to the passive monitoring system reveal that this tool offered to them was often mismatched with their values, needs, and expectations. Asian elders accepted the intervention social workers offered largely to appease them, but unlike their US-born counterparts, they adopted reluctantly without hope that it would ameliorate their situation. Asian immigrants discontinued use at the highest rate of all residents, and intergenerational family cultural conflict contributed to this termination. Social workers reported that none of the large population of Russian-speaking residents agreed to use QuietCare. Bilingual and bicultural social workers played significant roles as cultural navigators in the promotion of QuietCare to residents.ConclusionsThis research into the interactions of culturally diverse people with the same monitoring technology reveals the significant role that social values and context play in shaping how people and families interact with and experience elder care interventions. If technology-based care services are to reach their full potential, it will be important to identify the ways in which cultural values produce different uses and responses to technologies intended to help older adults live independently.

사전의료의향서의 지식, 경험 및 선호도에 대한 연구 : 재미 한인 노인을 중심으로

The purpose of this study is to investigate the knowledge, experience, and preference of Advance Directives (AD) in Korean Immigrant Elderly in the US. The knowledge level of AD of participants was more than two times higher than that of the domestic elderly, and overall experience (the intention and consent to write the advance directives) with Life-Sustaining treatment was higher than in previous study targeting the domestic elderly. In particular, the experience of writing documents for Life-Sustaining treatment and Durable Power of Attorney was much higher. In the form of AD, the most common preference was selecting Living Will together with Durable Power of Attorney, and the ratio of approving the legal institutionalization of AD was much higher than that of domestic elderly. Among the unwanted Life-Sustaining treatment amongst the Korean Immigrant Elderly, cardiopulmonary resuscitation ranked the highest while total parenteral nutrition ranked the lowest. On the other hand, the most unwanted Life-Sustaining treatment among domestic elderly was artificial ventilator and total parenteral nutrition. Therefore, in order to provide nursing related to Advance Directives to the Korean Immigrant Elderly in the US, it is necessary to consider that the knowledge level is higher than that of the domestic elderly, and the experience and detailed preference items are different. In addition, it is necessary to prepare a plan to help the Korean Immigrant Elderly live a comfortable and dignified life to the last moment of their lives through the nursing intervention programs that can help them understand the Advance Directives accurately.

The Undocumented Elderly: Coverage Gaps and Low Health Care Use.

Near-elderly and elderly undocumented immigrants constitute a growing subpopulation in the U.S. with potentially high rates of preventable chronic conditions, but limited access to insurance coverage and low use of care. Associated impacts on health outcomes, safety-net resources, and health care costs are potentially significant. More research is needed to better understand the prevalence of avoidable conditions and the barriers to seeking care among the undocumented elderly.

One Size Does Not Fit All: Comparative Diagnostic Accuracy of the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale and the Mini Mental State Examination in a Memory Clinic Population with Very Low Education

Background: Diagnosing dementia in elderly immigrants is often difficult due to language and cultural barriers, low education, and illiteracy. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) to that of the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Methods: A total of 144 patients (42 with intact cognition, 44 with mild cognitive impairment [MCI], and 58 with dementia) were administered both instruments and were diagnosed by specialists blinded for MMSE and RUDAS results. Results: Areas under the curve for discriminating intact cognition from MCI and dementia were comparable for RUDAS (0.81; 95% confidence interval 0.74–0.88) and MMSE (0.75; 95% confidence interval 0.69–0.85). Education and literacy were not correlated with the RUDAS but had a medium-large correlation with the MMSE (rho = 0.39). Conclusions: The study provides additional evidence for the usefulness of the RUDAS in a highly illiterate, culturally diverse geriatric outpatient population.

Les personnes âgées immigrées à l’épreuve du Successful Aging

Depuis le milieu du 20e siecle, les scientifiques n’ont cesse de rechercher les conditions qui garantiraient un vieillissement en bonne sante. Le Successful Aging en tant que paradigme s’est progressivement diffuse bien au-dela de la sphere scientifique. L’acces au « bien vieillir », equivalent francais du Successful Aging, est devenu une finalite collective qui sert de reference pour la mise en place d’action publique au sein de nos societes contemporaines. En vieillissant dans leur pays d’accueil, les personnes immigrees sont donc amenees a se conformer a ces modeles gerontologiques dominants. En effet, la « reussite » du vieillissement des migrants âges en France represente un objectif politique et de sante publique. Cet article interroge donc les liens existant entre migration et vieillissement pour saisir les enjeux sociaux et spatiaux associes au « bien vieillir » des immigres âges en France. Pour repondre a cette problematique, une revue de la litterature sur les conditions de vieillissement des personnes immigrees en France (corpus de 75 references) a ete mise en œuvre. Cet article croise les resultats de cet etat de l’art en analysant les situations de vie des migrants âges a partir de deux des principales composantes du Successful Aging. La premiere composante est relative a l’etat de sante des personnes (1) et la seconde a l’analyse de leurs reseaux sociaux et a leur engagement dans la vie sociale (2). Les resultats demontrent que la « reussite » ou le « succes » du vieillissement se revelent plus complexes pour les migrants âges au regard de l’ideal normatif du « bien vieillir ». S’il faut se premunir d’une vision generalisante de leurs situations, les conditions de vie et les discontinuites rencontrees dans les trajectoires d’une partie des personnes immigrees en France les exposent a des difficultes significatives dans la vieillesse. Des recherches complementaires en geographie s’averent necessaires pour spatialiser les experiences differenciees de vieillissement des immigres au sein de leurs territoires de vie.

7.10-P13Health literacy among elderly immigrants in Germany. Findings from a cross-sectional survey

7.10-P13Health literacy among elderly immigrants in Germany. Findings from a cross-sectional survey

Experience of dental care, knowledge and attitudes of older immigrants in Sweden-A qualitative study.

Knowledge about the oral health and dental care habits of older immigrants is limited. The aim of this study was to explore dental service utilization, oral care habits, and attitudes to and knowledge about oral diseases and their prevention among older immigrants in Sweden. A qualitative research method was used, and data were collected in individual interviews to gain a deeper understanding of the immigrants' views. Thirteen immigrants, seven women and six men, recruited from meeting places for older immigrants, participated, all aged between 59 and 88 (median 72years). Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Eight interviews were carried out with the help of an authorized interpreter. In the analytical process, performed using the content analysis method, meaning units were identified and condensed into codes which were labelled and grouped into subcategories and categories. The interview analysis resulted in four categories: Experiences of dental care, Attitudes, Barriers and Prevention of oral diseases. The elderly immigrants described a mix of regular and acute dental care and were often not satisfied with the outcome of the treatments. They stated that oral health was important and that they were responsible for their own teeth. Barriers to dental care were costs, language problems and lack of confidence in dental services. Daily oral hygiene routines were performed using a traditional chewing stick and/or regular toothbrush. The participants stated that, despite the barriers to treatment described above, they valued good oral health and visited dental services when they needed to.