Graduation Year
2023
Document Type
Capstone Project
Project Type
Project
Degree Name
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Program
Occupational Therapy
Program Chair
Gina Tucker-Roghi OTD, OTR/L, BCG
Faculty Advisor
Gina Tucker-Roghi OTD, OTR/L, BCG
Abstract
As occupational therapists, addressing key cultural barriers that may obstruct access to dementia care and education for individuals with dementia and their caregivers from diverse backgrounds is a priority for client-centered care. Stress, racial discrimination, and distrust may exacerbate symptoms and prevalence of dementia in certain populations, such as Chinese- Americans and Latinx (Quinones et al. 2020). Immigrants’ experiences of aging and health are diverse due to belonging to different socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic groups and having varying levels of education and work experience (R. S. 2020). There are existing cultural differences regarding caregiving and family networks, perception and recognition of dementia and associated symptoms, negative experiences with health and care services, and language barriers. Examining how individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds understand dementia and experience the caregiving role can provide occupational therapists (OTs) with an understanding of the importance of cultural sensitivity. We aim to establish educational resources for OT Practitioners (OTPs) on how to be culturally sensitive when supporting caregivers from diverse backgrounds and individuals living with dementia (ILwD) and their particular needs. Providing educational resources to OTPs will contribute to fostering collaborative relationships between OTPs and dementia family caregivers from diverse backgrounds.