Older immigrants and immigrants with dementia face interconnected barriers to social and medical services in Finland

A recent study by the University of East Infinland shows that barriers for access to social and medical services among older immigrants and immigrants with dementia in Finland are interconnected. The study, conducted among professionals who work with older immigrants and immigrants with dementia, was published in the Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology.

Some of the challenges for access to social and medical services among older immigrants and immigrants with dementia in Finland are language barriers and not having sufficient digital skills or information about someone’s rights and the available social and health care services. A lack of expertise among professionals, no family and friends, abuse and cultural differences and views were also a barrier.

The study emphasized how the language barrier can influence the ability of older immigrants and immigrants with dementia to use digital services, which in turn can limit their access to information about their rights and the available services. Combined with no family and friends, these barriers can increase the risk of abuse and exploitation. Although language training is offered to immigrants in general, older immigrants can find it difficult to learn a new language. Immigrants with dementia, on the other hand, run the risk of forgetting the languages ​​they learned at a later stage.

Family members, immigrant communities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play an important role in facilitating access to social and medical services among older immigrants and immigrants with dementia. Immigrant communities and NGOs also help to reduce the pressure on the Service Vistures. However, the resources of NGOs are limited and it is crucial for state actors to increase their support for NGOs.

PhD student Alex Berg from the University of East Infinland emphasized the practical implications of the research results:

“Our study recommends hiring more bilingual staff, so that older immigrants and immigrants with dementia can look for themselves in their native language services. Providing information about the available services in different languages ​​can also help them get acquainted with their rights and the available services. “

The study also emphasizes the importance of avoiding stereotypes and assumptions of service providers, as well as treating immigrants as other clients, while taking into account their cultural norms and unique situation.

The study was conducted within the Neuro innovation PhD program, which is funded by the University of Eastern Finland and the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program of the European Union under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 101034307.