Informing Dementia Support Programs That Serve Low-Income, Multilingual Communities in a Safety Net Health System:...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Health Equity

Background:

• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services introduced a new voluntary model for dementia care.
• This model aims to improve care quality and health equity for individuals with dementia and their caregivers.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the specific needs of diverse populations within safety net health systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the unique needs and barriers faced by older adults with dementia and their caregivers in a multiethnic, multicultural safety net healthcare system.
• To amplify the voices of underserved populations in dementia care discussions.
• To inform the development of culturally sensitive dementia support programs.

Main Methods:

• Conducted four focus groups in English and Spanish.
• Utilized qualitative, iterative analyses of focus group transcripts.
• Focused on dyads (persons with dementia and their caregivers) within the Los Angeles County healthcare system.

Main Results:

• Identified four interconnected domains of concern: need for education for dyad-centered care, barriers to resources, dyad safety, and caregiver burden and insight.
• Recognized that experiences within these domains may differ in underserved, multicultural settings compared to well-resourced or predominantly English-speaking environments.
• Highlighted the distinct challenges faced by this specific patient population.

Conclusions:

• The identified domains provide foundational elements for creating inclusive dementia support programs.
• Addressing these specific needs is crucial for enhancing dementia care equity in multicultural safety net settings.
• Emphasizes the importance of understanding and incorporating diverse patient perspectives in healthcare model development.