Family as primary unit of care

As the Indian culture is traditionally collective, for most people the family unit is central, and maintaining harmony paramount. Disability is seen as a family issue and family members usually provide care unless it is beyond their capabilities. There is added stress for migrant families because of loss of extended family and the emotional and economic support the families provide.

In India disability is strongly linked with poverty and the disabled are sometimes kept at home not only because of stigma, but also because of lack of available services, difficulty in reaching these, or insufficient financial resources to afford support. NGOs and charities provide some services in the larger cities, as well as free transport in some states, however, in the small and rural communities homecare is common, and there may be no conception of what kind of support is available.

Migrants, especially those from smaller communities, may take some time to realise that services are available and affordable, that people with disability have rights, and that there is less stigma in New Zealand.

Practitioners may need to be flexible in their approach to meet some cultural needs.

Case Study example

A General Practitioner, who has a practice serving many different CALD clients in Auckland, related a story of a young Indian man who suffered from depression. He was so ashamed of his condition that he would not go to the clinic for fear that he might be seen and that this would bring shame to his family. The doctor consulted with him on a Sunday as a way to ensure access to services for the young man.