Migrant caregiving for family members with mild cognitive impairment: an ethnographic study

Migrant families caring for family members with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) face considerable socioeconomic burden and isolation.

To examine the cultural needs, beliefs and health seeking behaviours of migrant Turkish family member caregivers.

An ethnographic approach was used employing in depth interviews.

Turkish caregivers residing in Melbourne, Australia were purposively sampled. Ten participants undertook face-to-face interviews in Turkish and English, followed by coding, transcription and thematic analysis.

Common themes were: (i) characteristics of MCI; (ii) care complicates our lives; (iii) beneficial coping strategies; (iv) adherence to cultural beliefs; (v) an uncertain future; (vi) interfacing with community health providers: need to understand Turkish culture (vii) need for long-term support. Migrant caregivers voiced undergoing considerable stress exacerbated by their cultural obligations.

Establishing ethnically appropriate community support groups and advocating for a health workforce tier of representative migrant health care workers is recommended as a new role for community nurses.