Grant: Summer Program in Aging

Background: Dementia in ethno-racial older adults and the experience of hospitalization is an understudied area of research. Dementia is considered taboo and stigma in ethno-racial communities, especially in South Asian and Arab communities. Dementia is a growing concern in these communities, and many individuals report that healthcare services do not fully meet their needs. Ethno-racial older adults living with dementia are often misdiagnosed and face barriers to seeking quality care in hospital settings. Within hospitals, ethno-racial older adults face challenges in accessing culturally safe care due to a shortage of dementia specialists from diverse backgrounds and insufficient training for nursing and allied healthcare professionals on cultural safety in dementia care. The aim of my research study is to explore the challenges, gaps, and opportunities for improving hospital care for ethno-racial older adults living with dementia and their caregivers from South Asian and Arab communities. Method: I will use an approach called Interpretive Description, combined with intersectionality theory, to guide the study. This research approach values storytelling and brings forward the voices of those most affected by systemic barriers. This approach will assist in finding solutions that can drive system-level changes. The study will begin with interviews of South Asian and Arab older adults living with dementia and their caregivers to capture their experiences of hospitalization. Subsequently, interviews will be conducted with nurses and healthcare aides to examine their perspectives and challenges in addressing the unique needs of ethno-racial older adults with dementia in hospital settings. Outcome: This research aims to highlight gaps in hospital care practices, propose quality improvement strategies for culturally sensitive dementia care in hospital environments, and make recommendations for inclusive healthcare.