Language barriers experienced by older migrants living in community settings: Lessons learnt from a systematic review.

Activity: Talk or presentation typesOral presentation

Description

Background

One in three older Australians come from CALD backgrounds, and as many as six million Australians speak a language other than English at home.

Anecdotally language reversion is commonly reported in CALD persons living with dementia, yet the research into the phenomenon of a person’s gradual return to speaking their mother tongue while losing capacity to speak languages acquired later in life remains scant. This research lacuna is concerning given the high proportion of older CALD people in Australia, and the potential impact language reversion has on their ability to interact meaningfully with health and care systems.

Aim

To gain a comprehensive understanding and consolidate findings on language barriers experienced by older migrants seeking access to and utilising care; identify correlation with their mainstream language proficiency and reversion to primary language; to explore the impact on system engagement and quality of life; we conducted a systematic review.

Methods

Seven databases were searched for peer-reviewed original qualitative studies published in English since 2004. The JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research was employed for methodological quality screening.

Results

1,197 papers were identified, 1,146 excluded, and 51 papers included. JBI methodology informed data extraction and analysis.

Ultimately, very few papers directly addressed language reversion, some discussed the phenomenon in passing. Emerging key themes were not surprising: language barriers have negative impact on older migrants’ health, well-being, and quality of life due to marginalised care needs, limited/inappropriate care services, and social isolation.

Conclusion

The systematic review findings confirm there is a gap in literature requiring further qualitative research on language reversion among community-dwelling older migrants from CALD backgrounds.

Implications

Providing language-relevant resources, care/services, support and opportunities for communication in a person’s first/native/preferred language can enable and empower older migrants enhancing their community engagement, care outcomes and quality of life.
Period16 Oct 2024
Event titleFederation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia (FECCA) 2024: Our Experience. Our Future.
Event typeConference
LocationBrisbane, Australia, QueenslandShow on map
Degree of RecognitionNational