The Care of Non-English Speaking Background Residents in Mainstream Nursing Homes and Hostels.

N

157

Cultural Activities; Cultural Differences; Cultural Pluralism; Employment Patterns; Foreign Countries; Language Role; Limited English Speaking; Nursing Homes; Patients; Personal Care Homes; Standards; Surveys; Volunteers

A survey of 104 individuals of non-English-speaking backgrounds (NESBs) living in South Australia nursing homes and personal care homes and staff of 75 institution housing NESB residents is reported. The study's objectives was to determine the culturally-based needs of the residents and the provision of culturally appropriate services to them. The report presents a summary of findings and recommendations, then describes in greater detail the study's objectives, methodology, results, discussion, and suggestions for culturally appropriate service delivery strategies. Important considerations concerning patients' rights, standards of care, use of language, the role of family and friends, ethnic communities and use of volunteers, staffing policies, and staff training are outlined. Staff training is dealt with specifically in Section 2.4.7 (pages 14-15) and section 7.6.1 (pages 67-68). Some recommendations are made for the general community and others are directed to the public service departments concerned, geriatric assessment teams, and mainstream nursing homes in South Australia. Appended materials include a bibliography, the survey questionnaires, statistical tables, verbal comments of respondents, and policy statements of residents' rights and responsibilities and of standards for nursing home care. (MSE) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy Education)

1995

ED373590