Age and Race : Discrimination and Problems
Research on aging in minority ethnic groups is difficult because of language barriers and cultural differences. The issue is to identify and reach those who need help. Some authorities state that close family structure may keep needly older Hispanics from using public resources. Families may not venture outside their own environment, preferring to solve their own problems. However, some older persons do not receive necessary care because they need better transportation to health care centers.
Since the Hispanic population is growing, helping the older members to manage chronic ailments and stay as healthy as possible could become a serious problem. Attitudes and beliefs may prevent ethnic minorities from seeking medical help and health care instruction. Language barriers may contribute to misunderstanding directions and advice. Older people bring this background to the hospital with them, and the nurse must respect differences when identifying needs and giving care and instruction.
The AARP has a Minority Affairs Initiative, a minority volunteer network that seeks to help improve communication and the status of needly older people in minority groups. One way this network is approaching the problem is by reaching out to minorities through religious affiliations.
In planning for security in old age, low-income ethnic minorities are at a disadvantage because shift work and language barriers may prevent them from taking part in preretirement programs. The nurse who is employed in occupational health nursing should consider preretirement planning as wellness promotion and be aware of the difficulties ethnic minorities might have in participating.
Age discrimination in the job market has lessened in the last decade but continues to be an issue. Corporate mergers and cutbacks affect older workers, especially those in management. The nurse as a constituent can write to legislators and vote in ways that will help eliminate job discrimination against older people.
A growing concern in the future will be about the number of elderly drivers on the highway. Will more restrictions be necessary to prevent accidents that occur due to traffic violations? Or will the upcoming older generation – the baby boomers – be safer drivers, having had better training and more freeway experience? Still, there will be more drivers on the highway with decreased vision, hearing, and physical skills. The issue is open to speculation and discussion.
Reference :
Farrell J : Nursing Care of the Older Person, J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, 1990.
