Beliefs and practices regarding Alzheimer's disease and related dementias among Filipino home care workers in Israel

Background: In the past few decades, foreign home care to frail older adults has become a common alternative to family care in many developed countries. Whereas Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are common conditions in this population of frail older adults, little is known about the beliefs of foreign home care workers about ADRD or about their practices. Methods: A mixed-methods design was conducted in 2006-2007 in Israel. The study included a survey of beliefs about ADRD completed by 184 Filipino home care workers and qualitative interviews with 29 Filipino home care workers. Results: On seven of the 14 belief items, more than 30% of the workers were in discordance with scientific view about ADRD. Those workers who were not informed about the care recipient's medical conditions were more likely to report beliefs that were inconsistent with current scientific knowledge. In qualitative interviews, Filipino home care workers reported using intuitively behavioral techniques when caring for older adults with ADRD. Conclusions: Despite the fact that some of the workers' beliefs are inconsistent with current scientific view, their actual intuitive practices are consistent with the scientific paradigm. Specific emphasis has to be placed on encouraging workers' intuitive approach to ADRD and providing workers with ample information about the medical conditions and needs of the care recipient.