NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Health and safety of limited English speaking Asian homecare aides in Chicago: a pilot study.

Zhang J; Buchanan SN; Rospenda KM; Zanoni J

J Occup Environ Med 2019 Jan; 61(1):81-88

https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000001495

20054112

Objectives: To identify health and safety hazards and needs among limited English speaking Asian home care aides, and characterize their acculturation status and how it affects their health and safety. Methods: Surveyed 60 home care aides and interviewed six home care service providers to assess health and safety hazards and needs of the study population. Results: The majority of the study participants were older and did not speak English or did not speak English well. They communicated with senior clients in their native language only or most of the time. Many experienced work related injuries and musculoskeletal pain. Discussion: The Asian homecare aides met the critical needs of an aging community. They experienced many challenges working as a home care aide and as a result of cultural barriers.

Home health care; Sociological factors; Language barrier; Musculoskeletal system disorders; MSD; Injuries; Medical personnel; Occupational safety and health; Author Keywords: acculturation; Asian Americans; home care workers; occupational hazards; occupational health and safety

Jing Zhang, PhD, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612

JOEMFM

20190101

Journal Article

jingz3@uic.edu

Grant

2019

Grant-Number-T42-OH-008672

1

1076-2752

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

IL

University of Illinois at Chicago