The Risk of Hispanic Elderly Decline

It is predicted that by the year 2020, 14.1% of the Hispanic population in the United States will be 65 or older, which will far surpass the estimated population of both African Americans and non-Hispanic whites of the same age.

Why does this matter; and how does this affect us as gerontologists? While there are several matters of concern, two stand out very predominantly: socio-economical and language barriers.

If statistics prove right; our Hispanic-American culture is going to be in a rough boat if we don't see the need to change. We need to accept that they are apart of our diverse culture; and as part need to have more ample help directed to them. If these older Hispanic-Americans can not understand us; how can we understand them? We need to be able to communicate with them, and be able to access and accommodate their needs and desires. How can one who does not know or understand English explain to his care-giver what his needs are? Or even if we are able to communicate with the elderly Hispanic-American not always are we communicating clearly adequate information with regards to decision making issues.

We also need to statistically look at the socio-economical level many Hispanic-Americans are working with. Approximately one out of every 12 Hispanic Americans has no adequate health insurance, which hinders his or her access to healthcare at all.

How can Hispanic-Americans properly meet their own needs is another very important key to the conditions of their health. By properly eating, Hispanic-Americans can add quite a bit of life inter their own life. For example, approximately six percent of Hispanic- Americans suffer from diabetes which is over fifty percent higher than that of the non-Hispanic white. By providing nutrition education classes free or low cost we can help the awareness of this condition by teaching what to eat and when to eat to this culture.

We also need to take notice that the Hispanic culture has the highest prevalence of inactivity among ethnicity groups (38 percent of Hispanic men and 58 percent of Hispanic women are inactive.) By educating the Hispanic American culture on what exercises and how much exercise is needed; we can again allow the longevity of the culture to continue without being burdened by disease and hostile living situations.

As our generations grow older we need to look at what is happening in our country and be prepared for what is to come. We need not only be prepared ourselves; but to prepare everyone else as well.

http://www.pbs.org/americanfamily/aging.html