Needs-gap analysis on culturally and linguistically diverse grandparent carers’ ‘hidden issues’: a quality improvement project
Mercedes Sepulveda A , Saras Henderson B D , Dana Farrell A C and Gaby Heuft AA Blue Care Multicultural Services, 129 Dennis Road, Springwood, Qld 4127, Australia.
B Population and Social Health Research Program, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Parkland Drive, Southport, Qld 4222, Australia.
C Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre West Moreton/South Coast, West Moreton Office, 15 Robertson Road, Eastern Heights, Qld 4305, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email s.henderson@griffith.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 22(6) 477-482 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY15051
Submitted: 16 March 2015 Accepted: 28 September 2015 Published: 11 January 2016
Abstract
In Australia, a significant number of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) grandparents are sole carers for their grandchildren. Available information on the impact of caring on CALD grandparents and the ability of service providers to respond to their needs is limited. Our needs-gap analysis quality improvement project aimed to uncover ‘hidden issues’ for CALD grandparent carers so that services can be improved. One hundred service providers, such as community and aged-care services, child and/or grandparent support services and CALD-specific services, were approached using six structured questions. Six consultative forums on the caring role, issues encountered, and what needed to be done, were conducted with African, Asian, Spanish, Middle Eastern, European, Pacific Island and Maori grandparent carers in Queensland. The data were qualitatively analysed. Six themes emerged: 1) service provider and grandparent carer perception that there was limited research on CALD grandparents; 2) inadequate legal and financial support; 3) barriers to accessing information; 4) lack of childcare options; 5) transport difficulties; and 6) inadequate technological skills. Our findings provide insight to health service providers on the ‘hidden issues’ so that they can better assist CALD grandparent carers by improving access to relevant information, referrals and resources.
Additional keywords: CALD grandparents, carer needs, community health services, grandparent carer issues, health service gaps.
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