As global migration continues to rise, the older population in many countries has become increasingly culturally diverse. Although individuals with dementia from these backgrounds may prefer to avoid nursing home placement, those with higher needs and acuity often seek such care. However, there is limited knowledge about the specific care provisions available to them. This review aimed to map and synthesize existing literature on care for culturally and linguistically diverse individuals with dementia in nursing homes while identifying gaps that could guide future research.

A scoping review was conducted, resulting in the inclusion of 25 out of 1,149 identified articles, with predominantly qualitative studies from Western countries. The thematic analysis revealed three key themes: maintaining a sense of home, fostering communication and interaction, and identifying barriers and facilitators to care provision. The authors highlighted that care for these individuals should create an environment that respects their definition of “home,” enables them to express their needs, and promotes meaningful engagement. Significant barriers included language issues and the lack of resources to provide culturally-specific care.

Reference: Gaviola MA, Omura M, Inder KJ, Johnson A. Caring for people with dementia from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in nursing homes: A scoping review. Int J Nurs Stud. 2024;151:104674. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2023.104674.