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Cultural stigma and systemic gaps in dementia care for Korean migrants in Australia

ORCiD logo with link | Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalization Deakin University, Australia
 | Monash University, Australia
 | Monash University, Australia
This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
Abstract
In an era of increasing global mobility, migrant populations are not only expanding but also ageing, creating new challenges as first-generation migrants grow older in host societies. While Korean migration to Australia is relatively recent (ABS. 2021. “People in Australia Who Were Born in Korea, Republic of (South): 2021 Census Country of Birth QuickStats.” Australian Bureau of Statistics. [URL]), the first generation is now entering old age, yet little research has examined their experiences of ageing.
This study explores experiences of dementia among Korean migrants in Australia through 13 in-depth interviews with people living with dementia, family members, and Korean-speaking health and aged care professionals. Thematic analysis identified four interconnected themes: dementia stigma and concealment; emotional isolation and social withdrawal; family responsibility and caregiving; and language barriers and systemic exclusion.
Participants described persistent dementia stigma, contributing to concealment, delayed help-seeking, and social withdrawal. Emotional isolation was particularly significant among older migrants whose social networks had been disrupted by migration and further constrained by cognitive decline. Strong expectations of filial responsibility shaped care decisions and placed considerable burdens on family carers. Language barriers affected communication with healthcare providers, access to services, and navigation of Australia’s health and aged care systems. As dementia progressed, older migrants became increasingly reliant on Korean language and culturally familiar environments for social connection and wellbeing.
As the first study focusing specifically on dementia among Korean migrants in Australia, the findings demonstrate how migration, language, cultural values, and family expectations intersect to shape dementia experiences. The study highlights the need for culturally responsive dementia services, improved language support, and more inclusive care for Australia’s ageing migrant communities.
초록
전 지구적 이동성이 증가하는 시대에 이주민 인구는 지속적으로 확대될 뿐만 아니라 고령화되고 있으며, 이에 따라 이주 1세대가 정착 사회에서 노년기에 접어들면서 새로운 과제들이 제기되고 있다. 호주로의 한국인 이주는 비교적 최근에 이루어졌으나(ABS. 2021. “People in Australia Who Were Born in Korea, Republic of (South): 2021 Census Country of Birth QuickStats.” Australian Bureau of Statistics. [URL]), 이주 1세대가 이제 노년기에 진입하고 있음에도 이들의 노화 경험에 관한 연구는 여전히 부족하다.
본 연구는 치매 당사자, 가족 구성원, 그리고 한국어를 사용하는 보건 및 노인 돌봄 분야 전문가를 대상으로 실시한 13건의 심층 면담을 통해 호주 내 한국인 이주민의 치매 경험을 탐색하였다. 주제 분석 결과, 서로 연관된 네 가지 주제가 도출되었다. 첫째, 치매에 대한 낙인과 은폐, 둘째, 정서적 고립과 사회적 위축, 셋째, 가족의 책임과 돌봄, 넷째, 언어 장벽과 제도적 배제이다.
참여자들은 한국인 이주민 공동체 내에 지속되는 치매 낙인이 치매의 은폐, 도움 요청의 지연, 사회적 위축으로 이어질 수 있음을 설명하였다. 정서적 고립은 특히 이주로 인해 사회적 관계망이 이미 약화되고 인지 기능 저하로 인해 그 관계망이 더욱 제한된 고령 이주민에게 두드러졌다. 효에 기반한 강한 가족 책임에 대한 기대는 돌봄 관련 의사결정에 영향을 미쳤으며, 가족 돌봄자에게 상당한 부담을 가중시켰다. 또한 언어 장벽은 의료진과의 의사소통, 서비스 접근, 호주의 보건 및 노인 돌봄 체계 이용에 영향을 미쳤다. 치매가 진행됨에 따라 고령 이주민들은 사회적 연결감과 안녕을 유지하기 위해 한국어와 문화적으로 친숙한 환경에 더욱 의존하는 양상을 보였다.
호주 내 한국인 이주민의 치매 경험을 구체적으로 다룬 최초의 연구로서, 본 연구는 이주, 언어, 문화적 가치, 가족에 대한 기대가 상호 교차하며 치매 경험을 형성하는 방식을 보여준다. 연구 결과는 호주의 고령 이주민을 위해 문화적으로 반응적인 치매 서비스, 향상된 언어 지원, 그리고 보다 포용적인 돌봄 체계를 마련할 필요성을 강조한다.
Article outline
  • 1.Background of the study
  • 2.Literature review
    • 2.1Dementia stigma in Asian and migrant communities
    • 2.2Social connectedness, isolation and emotional consequence of dementia
    • 2.3Family responsibility and caregiving in Korean culture
    • 2.4Migrant ageing, language and culturally appropriate care
  • 3.Methods
  • 4.Findings
    • 4.1Dementia stigma and concealment in Korean migrant community
    • 4.2Emotional isolation and social withdrawal of Korean migrants with PLWD
    • 4.3Family responsibility within Korean migrant families
    • 4.4Language barriers, systemic exclusion, and the need for culturally-responsive care
  • 5.Discussion
  • 6.Limitations and areas for further research
  • 7.Concluding remarks
  • Note
  • References
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