Döndü Ozcan provides informal care for mother with dementia

Older adults with a migration background frequently struggle to navigate the health care system, resulting in unmet medical needs and a heightened risk of unaddressed care requirements and loneliness, MAX reported. Alzheimer Nederland noted that this demographic faces particular obstacles when dealing with dementia, as a lack of culturally tailored assistance leaves families without adequate support.

Language Barriers Delay Care for Migrant Families

Döndü Ozcan and her siblings spent years providing informal care for their parents after encountering severe information gaps regarding home health services. Language barriers and a lack of clear guidance meant it took months for the family to secure appropriate assistance, while also facing misunderstandings from home care workers.

Alzheimer Nederland emphasized that relatives taking on informal caregiving duties within this community require better information and targeted outreach. The organization highlighted that migrant populations in eldercare face rapid growth alongside specific challenges, including higher rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.

Home Care Challenges and Dementia Progression

Standard home care options proved ineffective as the dementia progressed, according to Ozcan, because care providers and her mother could not communicate effectively. Research shows that individuals with dementia often lose acquired language skills like Dutch while retaining older, primary memories in their native tongue.

Naarmate haar dementie eigenlijk ging verergeren, merkten wij ook dat zij niet meer wist waar ze was. Thuiszorg was geen optie voor mijn moeder omdat zij ten eerste de taal niet begreep.

Döndü Ozcan

Without mutual understanding, the family observed rising depression and subsequently stepped in to manage the care themselves on a temporary basis.

Commitment to Informal Care Over Nursing Facilities

The family ultimately chose to sustain full-time informal care rather than utilize standard nursing homes or ill-fitted home care services. Ozcan noted that her mother became calmer once family members took over direct daily support.

Koste wat kost, ook al is het moeilijk voor ons, willen we voor moeder zorgen. Als ik mijn moeder naar een regulier verzorgingshuis zou moeten sturen, dan zou ze stoppen met eten. Ze zou stoppen met drinken. Dan zie ik het helemaal voor me dat mijn moeder gewoon heel eenzaam zou zijn.

Döndü Ozcan