The Role of Ethnicity in Nursing Home Elder Care

Abstract

The study was designed as an exploration in depth of the problems of aging in the United States, with special emphasis on the elderly of four ethnic groups: African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans, The purpose was to illuminate the situations of the aged with a view to increasing public knowledge and understanding and, eventually, to ameliorating the provisions for the long-term care of older persons. Two hypothetical questions were posed for examination: (1) whether and to what extent ethnic traditions and attitudes affect decisions on elderly health care, and (2) how health care providers can take ethnic traditions and characteristics into consideration as a means of improving arrangements and facilities for long-term care. The research base for the study emerged from an extensive search of the literature, with minimal utilization of statistical data. A cross-sectional, rather than a longitudinal, approach was adopted. The literature search produced a substantial body of governmental and other reports, magazine and journal articles, books, and other pertinent materials. Among the findings were a number that suggest the possibility of major improvements in the situations of the elderly in general and of the four focus groups in particular. The four groups were found to be more integrally bound by family and group traditions and attitudes than Caucasians, with the result that commitment to a long-term care institution is often seen by ethnic persons as a last resort that cannot substitute for informal care by family members. The potential for accommodating long-term care provision to older persons from ethnic backgrounds was found to be great; such accommodation was shown to be possible even where financial constraints were in effect. Addressing the hypothetical questions, it was noted that ethnic traditions affect deeply decisions on long-term elderly care and that health care providers can profitably take ethnic traditions and characteristics into consideration in making arrangements and preparing facilities for long-term care of the ethnic aged.