Introduction: Global migration statistics reveal that 12.2% of migrants are elders. Notably, three Arab countries were among the top 20 origins of international migrants in 2020. When migrant elders move to Westernised countries, they encounter distinctive challenges, which accentuate the importance of person-centred care and meaningful engagement to enhance their wellbeing. Migrant elders living in residential aged care homes face significant barriers to meaningful engagement. Factors including family dynamics, religious beliefs, and racism further influence health and wellbeing of older Arab migrants.
Objective: This study aimed to identify, scrutinise and synthesise literature on culturally appropriate care practices for migrant Arab elders living in residential aged care homes globally.
Methods: Following JBI scoping review methodology, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched in addition to manual searches on Google Scholar and PubMed. Included studies addressed migrant Arab elders, exploring person-centred care, meaningful engagement, and cultural competence within residential aged care homes globally. Reviewers used Covidence to screen included studies, and managed and synthesised data in Excel.
Results: Findings from the thirteen included studies indicated some practices used with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse residents, none focused solely on migrant Arab elders living in residential aged care homes. While cultural competence was frequently addressed, meaningful engagement was underrepresented.
Conclusion: This study calls for targeted research addressing the unique needs of migrant Arab elders in residential aged care homes. The importance of meaningful engagement to implement culturally appropriate care practice can only be adhered to with updated evidence.