Ensure effective communication
- The first step in the provision of culturally appropriate dementia care is to address issues around language and communication (Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing, 2010).
- Communication issues can be even more significant for people from CALD backgrounds, who may not be able to communicate with staff or other patients in their preferred language. Difficulties in communication are commonly misinterpreted as 'problem' behaviour by staff when the needs of older people are not being met due to language issues (Goldsmith, 1996).
- The availability of interpreters is essential for non-English speaking clients.
Address cultural diversity
- Ensure dementia assessments are culturally appropriate, have been reviewed for cultural bias and recognise the impact of culture and the migration experience, in understanding individual behaviour.
- Identify and support the cultural, linguistic and spiritual needs of people with dementia in all care plans and reviews; and consider the different cultural representations and perceptions of dementia when discussing the subject with older people and their families.
- Ensure that cultural diversity is addressed across all care services, including health and personal care and food services.
- Ensure that staff have received dementia training, as well as training in CALD cultural competencies and appropriate communication.
Accessing services
- Provide people with dementia and their families with dementia information in their preferred language where available.
- Ensure that people with dementia and their families are aware of the dementia support services available through Alzheimer’s New Zealand.
- Ensure that people with dementia have access to culturally appropriate emotional support and spiritual support.
- Establish culturally specific services for carers to reflect the populations served, e.g., Alzheimer’s Auckland run carer education and support groups for Chinese families.
