Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Implementing the iSupport for Dementia Program to Address Inequalities in Dementia Care: A Qualitative Study

AIMS: To explore stakeholders' perspectives on (1) the cultural and linguistic appropriateness of the Greek, Italian and Spanish versions of the iSupport for Dementia program and (2) strategies to implement the iSupport program in Australia. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study was applied. Data were collected from focus groups with family carers of people with dementia from Greek-, Italian- and Spanish-speaking backgrounds and bilingual and bicultural health and social care professionals in community aged care settings in Australia. The reflective thematic analysis method was used to identify themes from the data. The COREQ checklist for qualitative research was followed to report this study. RESULTS: We found that stakeholders would like to see inclusive language used in the iSupport program to empower and engage carers in the program. They also suggested that the iSupport program should meet diverse learning needs and preferences for carers. They would like to see bilingual and bicultural staff deliver the iSupport program to carers and coach carers based on their individual needs. They suggested that the methods used in carer peer support should be socially inclusive in the digital age. In addition, they would like to see the iSupport program integrated into aged care services. CONCLUSION: Implementing the iSupport for Dementia program in multiple languages that incorporates peer support and coaching activities for carers is an opportunity to address health inequalities for people with dementia and their carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Training and supporting bilingual and bicultural health and social care professionals is vital for embedding the iSupport program in aged care services.