Issues in caring for Afghan American elders: insights from literature and a focus group.

OBJECTIVES

To increase the information available for clinicians and educators to care for, and educate others to care for, elders from Afghan backgrounds more effectively.

DESIGN

Focus group methodology.

SETTING

Community senior center in Fremont, CA, United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Nine leaders of an Afghan elders group.

MEASUREMENTS

Content analysis of translated proceedings of focus group.

RESULTS

The two most important themes were: 1) Participants identified their health status and effective treatments with their faith in, and practice of, Islam. 2) They also emphasized the importance of care given by same-sex providers.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians providing care for older Afghan refugees need to be aware of the importance of respecting the practices of Islam, especially using same sex providers. Allowing for Muslim practices in the hospital is also important, such as washing before daily prayers, not serving pork products (e.g. gelatin), and having the bed face Mecca (Southeast) for prayers, especially for a dying patient.