Title: Knowledge of dementia among migrant care workers in Australian residential aged care facilities: results from a national survey

Biography:

Dr Bola Adebayo graduated as a Dentist from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and completed a Master’s degree in Public Health from Edith Cowan University in Western Australia (WA). She is currently a PhD candidate at the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine Curtin University WA. Her research interests are migrants’ health, dementia, oral health and aged care.

Abstract

Dementia is one of the main reasons for admission into residential aged care facilities (RACFs), with over 50% of residents having a diagnosis of dementia [1]. The rising prevalence of dementia in RACFs highlight the need to have sufficiently skilled care workforce that is motivated to provide safe and high quality care for people with dementia [2]. Migrant care workers have been recruited in high-income countries including Australia to address staff shortages and to meet the increased care demands in the aged care sector [3]. This study examined the level of knowledge of dementia among RACF migrant care workers and investigated the effects of sociodemographic characteristics in predicting the levels of their knowledge of dementia.

A national survey was conducted using the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool Version 2 and sociodemographic questions (DKAT2). Data was analysed using descriptive analyses, ANOVA tests and multiple linear regression tests. Although the respondents had good knowledge of dementia, there were deficits related to aetiology, progression of dementia, physical symptoms, support and care. Over half (57.8%) of the respondents reported that confusion in an older person is always due to dementia. The majority (62.4%) were unable to recognise pain in residents with advanced dementia. There were no significance differences between the select respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics and the DKAT 2 scores. Regression analysis indicated no collective significant effect between sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge of dementia. This study results highlight the need to address knowledge deficits in dementia among RACF migrant care workers.