Xiaoping Lin

Overcoming barriers to physical activity among culturally and linguistically diverse older adults: A randomised controlled trial

Aim:  To investigate by randomised trial, health professional facilitated sessions aiming to overcome barriers to physical activity (PA), improve readiness to undertake PA, increase PA participation and improve fitness among older Australian adults from Macedonian and Polish backgrounds.

Older Chinese Immigrants’ Relationships With Their Children: A Literature Review From a Solidarity–Conflict Perspective

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Older Chinese immigrants are one of the largest and fastest growing groups in Western societies. This article used the solidarity-conflict model to synthesize current research examining parent-child relationships in this group. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the CINAHL, Medline, and PubMed databases to identify relevant articles. A narrative approach was used to review the literature. RESULTS Thirty-six articles were identified. Compared with Caucasians, older Chinese immigrants are more likely to live with children and have higher filial expectations. However, considerable numbers live independently. Of these, most live in public housing and rely on the community rather than their children for instrumental help. Many older Chinese immigrants have adjusted their filial expectations and valued being independent. They also provide extensive household help to their children. There are indications of intergenerational conflict, probably due to generational differences in attitudes toward life and limited intergenerational contact. IMPLICATIONS This review suggests that although filial piety continues to influence older parent-child relationship in Chinese immigrant families, many changes have occurred. These findings have important implications for service planning and delivery for this cultural group. This review also provides evidence for the utility of the solidarity-conflict model.

Factors impacting on early detection of dementia in older people of Asian background in primary healthcare

The prevalence of dementia in people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds is predicted to increase. By 2026, Chinese and Vietnamese languages are projected to be the first and fourth most prevalent languages spoken by older people from CALD backgrounds living in Australia. Varying expressions of dementia literacy within these groups sometimes result in presentation to health services at a later stage of the disease.

Help seeking in older Asian people with dementia in Melbourne: Using the Cultural Exchange Model to explore barriers and enablers

The prevalence of dementia is increasing in Australia. Limited research is available on access to Cognitive Dementia and Memory Services (CDAMS) for people with dementia from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. This study aimed to determine the barriers and enablers to accessing CDAMS for people with dementia and their families of Chinese and Vietnamese backgrounds. Consultations with community members, community workers and health professionals were conducted using the “Cultural Exchange Model” framework. For carers, barriers to accessing services included the complexity of the health system, lack of time, travel required to get to services, language barriers, interpreters and lack of knowledge of services. Similarly, community workers and health professionals identified language, interpreters, and community perceptions as key barriers to service access. Strategies to increase knowledge included providing information via radio, printed material and education in community group settings. The “Cultural Exchange Model” enabled engagement with and modification of the approaches to meet the needs of the targeted CALD communities.

Students’ Attitudes Toward Older People: A Cross-Cultural Comparison

There is a popular belief that attitudes toward older people are predominantly negative in Western cultures and positive in Eastern cultures. In the light of social and cultural changes in these cultures, it is timely to investigate whether this belief still holds true. The study also explores an often-ignored feature of cultural differences in these attitudes, namely, that attitudes toward older people are mixed phenomena in both cultures. The study uses a cross-group research design. Sixty-five undergraduates (31 Western and 35 Eastern) completed the Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA) administered on computers. It found that attitudes toward older people were generally positive in both cultures and did not support the first hypothesis that attitudes toward older people would be predominantly negative in Western cultures and positive in Eastern cultures. However, as predicted, attitudes toward older people were mixed in both cultures. This study highlights the similarity in attitudes toward older people across cultures and argues that future studies need to be encouraged to pay more attention to positive attitudes.

Screening for depression and anxiety among older Chinese immigrants living in Western countries: The use of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI).

Depression and anxiety are two common mental health problems among older people. There is evidence that using well‐validated screening tools can improve detection of depression and anxiety among this group. The review explored the use of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) for screening depression and anxiety among older Chinese immigrants, one of the largest and fastest growing groups of older immigrants in Western society. It focused on the GDS and GAI because both are designed specifically for older people.

‘All in a day's play’ – An intergenerational playgroup in a residential aged care facility

A playgroup was established in 2009 in a residential aged care facility. Qualitative data were collected at baseline and 6 months after commencement. Interviewer administered questionnaires were undertaken with residents at baseline and post implementation. Residents were also invited to attend a focus group. The parents and staff were asked to complete a questionnaire at baseline and at 6 months. This study focuses mainly on the experiences of residents involved in the playgroup. It also describes responses from parents about impact on residents and children and from staff about impact on residents and the facility to expand on the views of the residents. The playgroup, which comprised 16 weekly sessions, was found to have a positive effect for residents. The positive effects were identified as themes which included changing attitudes to residential aged care facilities and child behaviour, enjoyment, reflections on childhood, and increased intergenerational interaction and communication. A facilitated playgroup was effectively established in a residential aged care facility and residents reported overall positive experiences and were accepting of a playgroup in their place of residence. The paper considers the implications of this for wider application.

Depression in older people living in residential homes

There is a large body of published research relating to depression in residential homes for older people (also called long-term-care homes, and including both nursing homes and hostels) (Ames 1990; 1993; Seitz et al ., 2010; Snowdon and Purandare, 2010; Snowdon, 2010). However, despite increased detection and more frequent treatment in recent years, depression remains a significant problem for many older people living in such settings. This guest editorial summarizes current knowledge about prevalence, etiology, detection and screening, treatment and outcomes of depression in residential homes and concludes with a summary of key issues requiring urgent future action.

Older people's relationships with their adult children in multicultural Australia: A comparison of Australian-born people and Chinese immigrants

ABSTRACT Against the background of population ageing and increasing cultural diversity in many Western countries, the study examined differences and similarities between Australian-born people and Chinese immigrants in their relationships with adult children. The specific research questions were: (a) are there differences between these groups in the nature of parent–child relationships; and (b) if there were differences, did these differences reflect the Confucian concept of filial piety among older Chinese immigrants. The solidarity–conflict model and the concept of ambivalence were used to quantify parent–child relationships. Data from 122 community-dwelling people aged 65 and over (60 Australian-born and 62 Chinese-born people) were collected using standardised interviews. There were significant differences between the two groups for all relationship dimensions except associative solidarity. Compared to Australian participants, Chinese participants were more likely to live with their children. However, when they did not live with their children, they lived further away. They were also more likely to receive, but less likely to provide, instrumental help. Finally, they reported higher levels of normative solidarity, conflict and ambivalence, and lower levels of affectual and consensual solidarity. The differences in solidarity dimensions persisted when socio-demographic variables were controlled for. The study revealed complex differences in the nature of older parent–child relationships between Australian-born people and Chinese immigrants. Some of these differences, such as more prevalent multigenerational living among older Chinese immigrants, likely reflect the strong influence of filial piety among this group. However, differences in other dimensions, such as lower levels of consensual solidarity, might be associated with the Chinese participants’ experience as immigrants. This study also highlights the usefulness of the solidarity–conflict model as a theoretical framework to understand the nature of parent–child relationships among older Chinese immigrants.

'Depression is not an illness. It's up to you to make yourself happy': Perceptions of Chinese health professionals and community workers about older Chinese immigrants' experiences of depression and anxiety.

The aim of this study was to improve our understanding of depression and anxiety among older immigrant Chinese Australians.