Intercultural care for people of migrant origin with dementia - A literature analysis.

BACKGROUND: Close to 12 million people of migrant origin who are 65 years or older live in different European countries. In the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, approximately half a million are estimated to have dementia. This rate is expected to increase in the coming decades. People of migrant origin who develop dementia and their families face challenges people without migration backgrounds do, but due to cultural differences, additional challenges may arise. There is an increasing need for interculturally sensitive care. There is research on certain aspects of intercultural care and this study will be a comprehensive summary of current topics in intercultural care. RESEARCH QUESTION: What factors of intercultural care for people of migrant origin with dementia can be identified? What requirements and aspects are necessary to ensure intercultural care? METHOD: A systematic literature analysis in the databases PubMed, PsycInfo and Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection was conducted. FINDINGS: Thirty-nine articles were eligible for analysis. Enhancement in the areas diagnostics, education and information, healthcare services and healthcare professionals to ensure intercultural care is needed. DISCUSSION: Current evidence supports the need for (a) thorough education of people of migrant origin with dementia, their families and healthcare professionals, (b) collaborations among everyone involved, (c) embracing different cultures in healthcare services, (d) the implementation of a care navigator functioning as a contact person and connecting all relevant parties with one another and (e) dementia testing suitable to the target group to ensure culturally sensitive and appropriate care for people of migrant origin with dementia and their families.

Burden of caregivers of patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration - a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is the second-most common cause of young-onset dementia. Personality and behavior changes lead to high caregiver stress and burden, but little support is available. Our aim is to present the evidence on the characteristics, challenges and unmet needs of caregivers as well as on possible interventions. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review on caregiver burden using PubMed, Web of Science and ScienceDirect. A total of 69 articles were considered eligible and were analyzed in the present study. RESULTS: Through the analysis of 69 empirical articles, our results show that caregivers of patients with FTLD are often younger in age, have children and find behavioral disturbances to be the most burdensome. Nine studies assessed the needs of and support for caregivers. Ten studies compared the burden in different forms of FTLD, 19 compared FTLD to other types of dementia, and one compared the caregiver burden between two countries. Eight studies reported on interventions for caregivers or interventions taking burden into account. One study assessed the support structure for caregivers of FTLD patients. Five case reports, eight research overviews and three reviews addressed specific needs and challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Further research should reproduce and validate efficacious interventions and focus on underage children of FTLD patients and findings from non-Western countries. Additionally, support structures for FTLD caregivers should be assessed and extended. Awareness both in the wider population and among healthcare professionals is an urgent need for the future.