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Language use of older Italian-background persons with dementia in mainstream and ethno-specific residential care

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2005

Susannah J. Runci ,
Jennifer R. Redman  and
Daniel W. O'Connor
Susannah J. Runci
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, Monash University, Australia
Jennifer R. Redman
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Monash University, Australia
Daniel W. O'Connor
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, Monash University, Australia
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Abstract

Background: Australia has a growing aging migrant population and rates of dementia in residential care are high. The communication of persons with dementia and limited English language proficiency in residential care is an area that has received little attention in the research literature.

Method: Thirty-nine Italian-background older persons with severe dementia residing in either mainstream (n = 20) or Italian-specific (n = 19) aged care facilities were observed and language use was recorded. Medication regime and language proficiency information was obtained.

Results: Participants in mainstream facilities engaged in less communication with co-residents and were prescribed daytime benzodiazepines at a higher rate than those in Italian-specific facilities.

Conclusions: Older persons in mainstream facilities with dementia and lower levels of English proficiency may benefit from additional language-relevant resources. The finding of higher prescription rate of daytime benzodiazepines requires further investigation.

Keywords

ethnic diversitycommunicationlanguage proficiencydementianursing homespsychotropic medication
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 17 , Issue 4 , December 2005 , pp. 699 - 708
Copyright
© International Psychogeriatric Association 2005

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