"Nos apoyamos mutuamente": Strategies to supporting community health workers addressing the emergency and chronic needs of Latinx families.

Community health workers (CHWs) have established pathways to implementing effective, sustainable, and cost-effective health programs among underserved populations. Despite the significant role of CHWs, there is limited literature describing the needs of CHWs, specifically in times of health emergencies and crises. Thus, we explored the challenges and sources of support among CHWs providing services to Latinx families. Participants were recruited from a Latinx community-based organization in metro Atlanta, working to strengthen family relationships using evidence-based programming. Fifteen semistructured interviews were conducted among CHWs. Interviews were conducted primarily in Spanish, recorded, transcribed, and translated into English for analysis. Following a thematic analysis, data were double-coded, and codes were described and compared for themes. Participants identified as Latinx (n = 15), were between the ages of 29 and 69 years, and had worked as CHWs between 1 month to 4 years. Two themes and seven subthemes were identified in the data. Theme 1 highlighted barriers and strategies employed by CHWs to address clients' preexisting and emerging needs, and Theme 2 focused on responding to client needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced new challenges and barriers that provoked adaptive organizational strategies to promote worker resilience. Addressing the needs of vulnerable communities in times of crisis to improve the working conditions for CHWs will require a multifaceted approach that prioritizes the removal of structural barriers. Barriers can be mitigated by prioritizing cultural assets, adopting flexible and equitable work policies, and enacting policies at the federal level that promote health justice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Immigration Enforcement Climate in Georgia and the Mental Health of Latinx Immigrants.

INTRODUCTION: Immigrant-related social policies and immigration enforcement contribute to a sociopolitical environment that affects immigrants' health. This exploratory study in six metro-Atlanta counties examined associations among immigrants' perceived vulnerability to harmful immigrant-related social policies and county-level 287(g) agreements (which facilitate cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities), county-level immigration enforcement levels (arrests, community arrests, detainers, and removals), and immigrants' mental health. METHODS: Using data from a 2020 study among Latinx parents who were undocumented or members of mixed-status families (N = 140), we merged data on individuals' perceived policy vulnerability and depressive and anxiety symptoms with county 287(g) status and immigration enforcement levels. RESULTS: Perceived policy vulnerability was not associated with county-level 287(g) status or immigration enforcement levels. Greater policy vulnerability and Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests were associated with higher depressive and anxiety symptoms, but 287(g) status was associated with lower depressive and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSION: Perceived policy vulnerability, 287(g) status, and immigration enforcement levels do not always align and can have different associations with mental health.

"I Didn't Know I Needed to Be Still": Experiences of Black Dementia Caregivers Attending Tailored Online Worship Services.

The current study aimed to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of culturally appropriate online worship services for Black dementia caregivers. Researchers met online with families six times over 8 weeks. Each meeting consisted of families viewing a short, uniquely tailored worship service. Preand post-surveys were conducted, and caregivers participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews to discuss their experiences with the online worship services. All caregivers (N = 24) identified as Christian and African American. There was no significant mean difference between pre- and post-survey results, but there was a trend toward improving perception of caregiver role, caregiver burden, and dyadic relationship. Observations and interviews revealed two themes, Experiences and Feasibility of Engaging With Culturally Appropriate Online Worship Services. Although the preliminary efficacy of the online worship services remains to be investigated, our results suggest resources developed for caregivers of people living with dementia should be carefully tailored to ensure they are culturally appropriate and responsive. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 16(6), 273-282.].

Using a Multiple-Case Study Design to Explore the Worship Experiences of Black Families Affected by Dementia.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this multiple-case study was to report on the worship experiences of Black families affected by dementia. METHODS: Data were collected through participant observations of family caregivers (n = 4) and persons living with dementia (n = 4) during worship services and semi-structured interviews with the family caregivers over six months. Data were initially analyzed case-by-case, then across-cases. RESULTS: Four overarching themes emerged: Welcoming church culture, Community support from the church, Engagement during worship service, and Connectedness between the caregiver and their family member living with dementia. Family caregivers reported that their family member with dementia was attentive and expressed moments of clarity during and immediately after worship services. CONCLUSIONS: Worship services can be tailored to support families affected by dementia and can promote engagement of the person living with dementia with church activities and family members. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Health practitioners are encouraged to acknowledge the influence of religious practices within Black families affected by dementia and integrate them into interdisciplinary care plans and programs.

The Alter Program: A Nurse-Led, Dementia-Friendly Program for African American Faith Communities and Families Living With Dementia.

Dementia is a stigmatizing condition requiring enhanced awareness and understanding. Churches are a trusted source of support for African Americans, a demographic disproportionately affected by dementia. However, many African American churches are not equipped with the knowledge and means to provide safe environments, resources, and spiritual and social support for their parishioners living with dementia and their families. This protocol is written to detail the design and implementation of a nurse-led, dementia-friendly congregation program, Alter. The Alter program was developed to increase dementia awareness, develop a supportive, faith-based dementia-friendly infrastructure, and create a community supporting the well-being of African Americans living with dementia and their families. Engagement in this program aims to improve brain health status of older adults, improve physical and mental health outcomes, reduce dementia stigma, and enhance personal agency. Improved outcomes for persons living with dementia translate into lower use of acute and emergency services due to more stability in community care. It is expected that the churches participating in this program will be recognized by their community as a great resource for dementia information and support. The long-term goal of the Alter program is to be widely adapted in various health systems to reduce health disparities associated with dementia in the African American community.

"Everything is Either Sent by God or Used by God": An Exploratory Study on the Impact of COVID-19 Upon the Religious Lives of Black Families Living with Dementia.

The purpose of this research study was to explore the impact of COVID-19 on church engagement for Black families affected by dementia in the USA. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with current caregivers, church leaders, and persons with dementia (n = 16). The following themes emerged: (a) Ability to continue religious practices, (b) Increased church engagement, (c) Importance of fellowship, (d) Role of technology, and (e) New normal. As the Internet becomes the new church building, online worship services enabled more families affected by dementia to engage. Many church leaders expressed the intent of continuing to provide online worship services post-pandemic. Families highlighted their need to fellowship with other congregants. Technology was perceived as a double-edged sword serving as both a motivator and a barrier to religious engagement. These findings will support faith leaders in understanding the needs of their congregants during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as allowing families living with dementia to continue engaging in religious practices and living in meaningful ways.