Migrant Care Workers' Perceptions of Their Working Conditions in Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities.

INTRODUCTION: Staff shortages and retention are the major challenges in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). This study aimed to explore migrant care workers' perceptions of job demands, their coping strategies, and employment intentions to leave or stay in the sector. METHODS: Using a descriptive qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with n = 20, RACF migrant care workers from Filipino, Indian, and Nigerian backgrounds in Perth, Western Australia, from April to December 2019. Data were thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Motivating factors included the availability of care work in RACFs, and positive cultural norms associated with caring for older family members. Participants experienced a combination of resettlement and workplace challenges specifically, limited support network, communication challenges, and racial discrimination. RELEVANCE TO PRACTICE: Work challenges that are compounded by post-migration stressors should be recognized and addressed in the design and implementation of the aged care workforce reforms to attract and retain migrant care workers.

Investigating the Impacts of Acculturation Stress on Migrant Care Workers in Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities.

INTRODUCTION: Migrant care workers are a growing portion of the aged care workforce in high-income countries. This study investigated the impacts of acculturation stress on the well-being of migrant care workers. METHOD: A cross-sectional national survey was conducted among migrant care workers (n = 272) across five Australian states and one territory using the Riverside Acculturation Stress Inventory (RASI) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21). RESULTS: Acculturation stress was high (M = 38.4; SD = 14.1; 38.9% scored ≥40 out of 75), but respondents scored in the normal to mild ranges (85% to 93%) on the DASS 21 scale. Enrolled and registered nurses had the highest acculturation stress levels when compared with other occupational roles. Ethnicity, F(4, 254) = 11.0, p < .001; occupational roles, F(3, 254) = 3.0, p = .03; and self-reported English proficiency, F(1, 254) = 4.17, p = .04, were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing acculturation stress may improve job satisfaction and retention among migrant care workers.

A Scoping Review of Dementia Care Experiences in Migrant Aged Care Workforce.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In high-income countries, an increasing number of people living with dementia in residential aged care facilities are being cared for by an increasingly multicultural workforce. The purpose of this review was to investigate migrant aged care workers' dementia care experiences and to identify enablers and challenges that influence their retention. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Utilizing Arksey and O' Malley's approach, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched for peer-reviewed studies published from 2000 to November 2018. Selection criteria were studies with original research, focusing on dementia care among migrant aged care workers, and conducted in high-income countries. RESULTS: Seventeen articles were identified incorporating 13 (76.47%) qualitative, 1 (5.88%) quantitative, and 3 (17.65%) mixed method designs. A limited understanding of dementia and experiences of dementia care were reported among some migrant care workers in residential aged care facilities. The identified enablers to retention were the availability of organization support services; professional development opportunities; reciprocity and mutual respect between migrant care workers, care recipients, and coworkers; and good working conditions. Factors such as discrimination from care recipients and coworkers and limited understanding of workplace culture were identified as barriers to migrant care workforce retention. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Migrant care workers are valuable contributors to the aged care workforce. It is important to consider their cultural perceptions of dementia in relation to care provision. In addition, their exposure to occupational psychosocial risk factors in conjunction with the challenges associated with resettlement and dementia care needs to be addressed.

Building oral health capacity in a women's health service.

Adult women in Australia are more likely than men to have no teeth, more missing teeth or have a dental hospital admission. Experiences of war, family and domestic violence, mental health or alcohol and other drug use problems may also negatively affect women's oral health. Yet, oral health is often excluded from primary healthcare. Little is known about what helps or inhibits primary healthcare service workers to promote oral health to women in need. Identifying the perceptions and experiences of such workers is a step towards a strategy to develop resources to support them in raising oral health issues with disadvantaged clients. This paper presents findings from a qualitative study conducted at a community-based women's health service, which used focus groups to investigate workers' perceptions of promoting oral health and accessing services for their clients. Findings indicated how structural issues informed oral healthcare, where workers generally did not consider oral health their responsibility, were reluctant to raise the issue with clients and had limited oral health knowledge and resources. To overcome these barriers, workers identified the need for oral health resources and better linkages to the dental system to help support their clients.

Role of information and communication technology in promoting oral health at residential aged care facilities.

Information and communication technology (ICT) can provide knowledge and clinical support to those working in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). This paper aims to: (1) review literature on ICT targeted at residents, staff and external providers in RACFs including general practitioners, dental and allied health professionals on improving residents' oral health; (2) identify barriers and enablers to using ICT in promoting oral health at RACFs; and (3) investigate evidence of effectiveness of these approaches in promoting oral health. Findings from this narrative literature review indicate that ICT is not widely used in RACFs, with barriers to usage identified as limited training for staff, difficulties accessing the Internet, limited computer literacy particularly in older staff, cost and competing work demands. Residents also faced barriers including impaired cognitive and psychosocial functioning, limited computer literacy and Internet use. Findings suggest that more education and training in ICT to upskill staff and residents is needed to effectively promote oral health through this medium.

Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) carers' perceptions of oral care in residential aged care settings in Perth, Western Australia.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were twofold: to explore African migrant carers' perceptions of oral health who worked in residential aged care and to investigate their perspectives of oral care for aged care residents. BACKGROUND: Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) carers are strongly represented in Australian residential aged care facilities. METHODS: Exploratory qualitative research targeted carers from African backgrounds working in residential aged care facilities in Perth, Western Australia. Fifteen African carers were recruited through community networks and participated in semistructured interviews. Data were analysed for key themes related to the study's aims noting similarities and differences between participants. RESULTS: All participants considered oral health important to individual well-being and quality of life. Most had limited knowledge of prevention and early detection of oral disease resulting from regular dental check-ups with the majority visiting dental professionals only for dental pain. Yet participants considered oral health care for residents needed improvement. Suggestions included dental professionals on staff and training and professional development for all staff not just in oral health care but also in working respectfully and sensitively with residents and staff from CALD backgrounds. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that, to ensure residents receive high quality oral health care, ongoing professional development is required, not only for CALD carers in oral health but also for non-CALD staff in care that is respectful of cultural differences.