Are the needs of ethnic minority elders being met by the current community care provisions offered?

Question

My question is specific to ethnic minority elders due to recent research findings. I am fully aware and appreciate that the needs of all should be met but would like some opinions on areas where there may be a deficit. The provision of care should not be based on ethnic background but the adequacy of care is what i wish to assess.

Answer 1

In a word no. I am on a steering group for better health care for older Black Minority Ethnic groups, we have found that elder people miss out on health care and access to health and community care. Add disability and care drops off further. If you are from an Ethnic group, elder and disabled you will have little if any access to health and community care.

This is due to several reasons. Language and cultural barriers are very apparent. Although interpreters can be provided, many elders are not aware of the service. Culturally there is the idea that family should look after family and so people do not know how to access the services.

Answer 2

I believe in some areas they are and other there will be great neglect. I am currently working for a charitable organisation doing administration where we provide home care and personal care for people from ethnic minorities, we mainly care for Asians (indian, pakistani, bengali)but do have other clientele and we always try to provide a carer who speak the same native language and shares the same religious beliefs, especially when dealing with muslims, we have a single sex policy where we will only provide a male care worker to look after a male client and vise versa, we hold a weekly gathering for the elderly ladies from ethnic minority back grounds and for those with disabilities and learning difficulties, we also offer councelling, emotional support and advice. This is in South West London, I can not speak on behalf of the whole country. hope this helps

Answer 3

'Adequacy of Care' ~ measured by whom?

And just how long is that piece of string?


Sorry to be negative, but how can you ask us to measure these things when 'adequacy' is so totally subjective to the person who is in need and who may / not be capable of answering ~ and highly unlikely to be here reading your question.

Having read yesterdays newspaper about 'the future of care in the UK,' I personally look like I'm going to have a very bleak future ...unless I manage to gather about me some especially caring handmaidens.

Sash.

Answer 4

Most ethnic people in the UK tend to look after their own family rather than send them off to nursing homes

Answer 5

that depends on the culture so which group cause some really look after there families and some leave it to others

Answer 6

THE NEEDS OF ALL ELDERS SHOULD TAKEN CARED OF

Answer 7

probably