by Elzbieta Czapka
Elzbieta Czapka, a postdoc researcher from Oslo Metropolitan University, carries out a study
that explores how symptoms of cognitive impairment and dementia are identified, interpreted
and responded to in families with different minority backgrounds and in families with
Norwegian background.
Dementia is a challenge for individuals, families, health personnel and society. Older people
with migration or minority backgrounds have the same challenges as older individuals from
the majority population, both in terms of dementia and other age-related health challenges.
However, research from both Europe and the United States shows that migrants and minority
groups experience a number of additional burdens associated with lower socioeconomic
status, discrimination, and lack of culturally adapted services.
The main aim of the study is to understand how family structures, values and norms, as well
as linguistic or cultural factors, form different care practices. That is, to explore how, when
and on what basis people with dementia and their families chose to seek care and how they
experience the Norwegian public health care system.
There is little research on dementia among ethnic minorities. This study will therefore bring
new knowledge about how dementia diseases affect different families and groups.
