Abstract
Objectives: The care provided by a majority of ‘mainstream’ Residential Long-Term Care (RLTC) facilities is incompatible with the needs of immigrant older adults. In British Columbia (BC), Canada, Chinese-origin older adults are a substantial and growing minority and research indicates that RLTC facilities not targeted at this population need direction to assist them in providing culturally competent care. Accordingly, our study seeks to identify which features of RLTC have the greatest impact on the quality of life of this subpopulation. Methods: A qualitative pilot study conducted in BC included 9 in-depth one-to-one interviews in two RLTC facilities with Chinese-origin residents and 11 family members who regularly visit such residents. We captured perspectives on residents’ quality of life (QoL) using an adapted version of an interview protocol established as trustworthy among diverse older adults in the U.K. This framework, developed by the National Centre for Social Research, understands the QoL of older adults to be contingent on their capability to pursue five conceptual attributes: attachment, role, enjoyment, security and control. Results: Participants perceived that the capability of residents to pursue the following dimensions of QoL was influenced by the organizational, social and/or physical features of the facilities in which they resided: Attachment (especially connection to the outside world), Control (especially decision-making), Enjoyment and Safety/Security. Conclusions: Findings concerning both positive and negative influences on older immigrant QoL that the facility can modify will provide direction and highlight priorities for RLTC administrators and policy makers.