The (un)caring experienced by racialized and/or ethnoculturally diverse residents in supportive living: A qualitative study
Abstract
Racialized and/or ethnocultural minority older adults in supportive living settings may not have access to appropriate services and activities. Most supportive living facilities are mainstream (not specific to one group); however, culturally specific facilities are purpose-built to accommodate older adults from a particular group. Our objective was to describe the perspectives of diverse participants about access to culturally appropriate care, accessible services, and social and recreation activities in culturally specific and mainstream (non-specific) supportive living facilities. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 people (11 staff, 8 family members, 2 residents) from 7
supportive living homes (2 culturally specific and 5 mainstream) in Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We used a rapid qualitative inquiry approach to structure the data collection and analysis. Staff and family members described challenges in accessing culturally appropriate care in mainstream facilities. Family members expressed guilt and shame when their relative moved to supportive living, and they specifically described long waitlists for beds in culturally specific homes. Once in the facility, language barriers contributed to quality of care issues (e.g., delayed assessments) and challenges accessing recreation and social activities in both mainstream and culturally specific homes. Mainstream facilities often did not have appropriate food options
and had limited supports for religious practices. Residents who had better English language proficiency had an easier transition to supportive living. Racialized and/or ethnoculturally diverse residents in mainstream supportive living facilities did not receive culturally appropriate care. Creating standalone facilities for every cultural group is not feasible; therefore, we must improve the care in mainstream facilities, including recruiting more diverse staff and integrating a wider
range of recreation, religious services and food options.
Notes
Key findings:
1) Transitions to supportive living were mainly done when publicly-funded home care services were maxed out, and the health of the senior was declining.
2) Family members experienced shame and guilt when transitioning their elderly to supportive living.
3) Mainstream supportive living facilities often did not have culturally-relevant recreation, social activities and food. Culturally-specific supportive living homes did not have this issue.
4) Language barriers increased feelings of loneliness for seniors living in mainstream supportive living, as compared to loneliness experienced by seniors in culturally-specific facilities.
5) Mainstream supportive living often lacked knowledge and services for culturally competent care, as well as religious rituals and practices.
6) Families found that mainstream supportive living were less willing/able to create culturally-sensitive care since racialized residents were the minority.
Open access: Yes
Community organizations: n/a
Future research / gaps identified: The authors state this study is a preliminary step, and much more research is needed to examine the experiences of racialized seniors in mainstream supportive living facilities in Alberta.
Integration timeline: not defined
Key populations: South Asian, Chinese or Arab seniors living in supportive living facilities in Calgary or Edmonton
Key recommendations:
1) Improve the culturally-competent care in mainstream supportive living, as creating culturally-specific facilities for every culture isn’t feasible.
2) Increase the number of diverse staff at mainstream supportive living facilities.
3) Integrate a wider variety of recreation, social activities, religious practices and food in mainstream supportive living.
Location: Calgary & Edmonton, AB