Culture and Traditions
Cultural Traditions and Healthcare Beliefs of Some Older Adults
The following information is based on generalizations. Always note that there will be individual differences in patients and families. The cultural behaviours will also be affected by the acculturation process.
Information assembled from a variety of sources by Barbara Dixon, Manager, Diversity and Immigrant Student Support, Red River College, 2009
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Older Patients of Arab and/or Muslim Origin
• Dietary issues are important for Muslim elders, because traditionally they do not drink alcohol, eat pork, or eat blood products. Lard is another avoided ingredient; baked goods and crackers are therefore examined for their content before consumption. Hospitalized Muslims may prefer to eat food prepared by their families in order to maintain dietary standards. Muslims may also resist eating or taking medications during the daytime hours of Ramadan, a holy month whose timing varies from year to year. Sick and elderly believers may be exempt from fasting during Ramadan, as some exceptions are made for frail individuals. Elderly persons of Arab origin may subscribe to folk remedies and beliefs. Beliefs may include concern about the evil eye - those who are envious may have the power to inflict injury on the family. Folk prevention measures, which include religious measures, are taken to divert the evil spirit to prevent harm.
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Tip for Nurses: Explore these issues gently with elderly patients and incorporate an understanding of traditional remedies into an overall care plan.
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Mental illness is one of the most feared medical conditions among Arab Muslims. Psychiatric issues are thought to arise from a loss of faith in God or possession by evil. Those suffering from “madness” are likely to seek the help of a religious intermediary or a fold healer and may neglect formal medical care. Among elderly persons of Arab origin and their families, mental illness may be considered a
The following information is based on generalizations. Always note that there will be individual differences in patients and families. The cultural behaviours will also be affected by the acculturation process.
Information assembled from a variety of sources by Barbara Dixon, Manager, Diversity and Immigrant Student Support, Red River College, 2009
1
Older Patients of Arab and/or Muslim Origin
• Dietary issues are important for Muslim elders, because traditionally they do not drink alcohol, eat pork, or eat blood products. Lard is another avoided ingredient; baked goods and crackers are therefore examined for their content before consumption. Hospitalized Muslims may prefer to eat food prepared by their families in order to maintain dietary standards. Muslims may also resist eating or taking medications during the daytime hours of Ramadan, a holy month whose timing varies from year to year. Sick and elderly believers may be exempt from fasting during Ramadan, as some exceptions are made for frail individuals. Elderly persons of Arab origin may subscribe to folk remedies and beliefs. Beliefs may include concern about the evil eye - those who are envious may have the power to inflict injury on the family. Folk prevention measures, which include religious measures, are taken to divert the evil spirit to prevent harm.
• •
• • • •
Tip for Nurses: Explore these issues gently with elderly patients and incorporate an understanding of traditional remedies into an overall care plan.
• • • •
Mental illness is one of the most feared medical conditions among Arab Muslims. Psychiatric issues are thought to arise from a loss of faith in God or possession by evil. Those suffering from “madness” are likely to seek the help of a religious intermediary or a fold healer and may neglect formal medical care. Among elderly persons of Arab origin and their families, mental illness may be considered a
References: American Geriatrics Society, Doorway Thoughts: Cross-cultural Health Care for Older Adults, Jones and Bartlett, Sudbury, Volume 1, 2004 and Volume 2, 2006. Andrews, Margaret M., Boyle, Joyceen S., Carr, Tracy Jean, Transcultural Concepts in Nursing Care, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2003. Bosher, Susan Dandridge, Pharris, Margaret Dexheimer, Transforming Nursing Education: the Culturally Inclusive Environment, Springer, New York, 2009. Ethnomed.org, University of Washington, Harbourview Medical Centre, 1995-2009. Gropper, Rena C., Culture and the Clinical Encounter an Intercultural Sensitizer for the Health Professions, Intercultural Press, Inc., Yarmouth, 1996. Kato, Pamela M., Mann, Traci, Handbook of Diversity Issues in Health Psychology, Plenum Press, new York, 1996. Kelley, Mary Lebreck, Fitzsimons, Virginia Macken, Undertanding Cultural Diversity: Culture, Curriculum and Community in Nursing, Jones and Bartlett, Sudbury, 2000. Nydell, Margaret K., Understanding Arabs A Guide for Westerners, Intercultural Press, Yarmouth, 1996. Spector, Rachel E., Culture Care: Guides to Heritage Assessment and Health Traditions, Appleton & Lange, Stamford, Connecticut, 2000. Srivastava, Rani, The Healthcare Professional’s Guide to Clinical Cultural Competence, Mosby Elsevier, Toronto, 2007. Waxler-Morrison, Nancy, Anderson, Joan M., Richardson, Elizabeth, Cross-cultural Caring A Handbook for Health Professionals in Western Canada, UBC Press, Vancouver, 1990. 12