How Do We Move Toward More Culturally Competent Care?Sara Alemán, Ph.D., MSW

Clinical Geriatrics Interprofessional SymposiumUniversity of California, San Diego

October 25, 2015San Diego, CA.

WHAT IS CULTURE?

Culture : The behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group.

CULTURAL COMPETENCE

DEFINITION OF CULTURAL COMPETENCE

This refers to a trait wherein a person is able to coordinate, work, or interact with other people that are of different cultures and social backgrounds.

DIVERSITY Valuing diversity

includes acknowledging the different ways in which members of various cultures communicate, think and behave and integrating those differences in a way that makes underrepresented members feel valued and included within an organization.

Persons also need to have the right kind of attitude when it comes to cultural differences. A certain degree of understanding and tolerance of other cultures is essential in order for one to achieve cultural competence.

ADMINISTRATION ON AGING In 2013:

There were 44.7 million people over the age of 65

They are 14.1% of the population or 1:7This group has increased by 24.7% vs. 6.8%

for the under 65 group.

CON’T There were 25.1 older women compared

to 19.6 million older men (128:100)

In 2014 African Americans numbered 4 million in the 65+ category and it is expected that they will grow to 12 million by 2060.

There were 8,582 African American centenarians.

AFRICAN AMERICANS CON’T

Their self-rated health declined with age. During 2011-2013 27% of African American over 65 rated their health as good/excellent.

At age 85+ this declined to 18.5%.

Chronic Conditions that werereported included:

Hypertension -85% Diagnosed arthritis 51%All types of heart disease 27%Diagnosed diabetes 39% Cancer 17%

OLDER HISPANIC

In 2014 the Hispanic older population (of any race) was 3.6million and is projected to grow to 21.5 million by 2060.

This group will grow to 22% of the Hispanic population by 2060 from the current 8%.

In 2014 there were 5,272 centenarians.

In 2011-2013, at age 65 30% of older Hispanics rated their health as good/excellent. At age 85 this declined to 21%.

OLDER HISPANICS CON’T

Chronic Conditions that were reported included:

Hypertension – 75%Diagnosed arthritis – 45%All types of heart disease 25%Diagnosed diabetes 27%Cancer 12%

OLDER ASIAN AMERICANS

In 2014 the Asian older population was 1.9 million and is projected to grow to 8.5 million by 2060.

By 2060 this group is projected to be 9% of the totalolder population from the current 4%.

There are currently 3,039 centenarians.

In 2011-2013 at age 65 33% of older Asians reported their health to be good/excellent. This figure declined to 14.5% at age 85.

OLDER AMERICAN INDIANS AND NATIVE ALASKANS (AINA)

In 2014 the American Indian and NativeAlaskan population was 231,482 and is projected to grow to 630,000 by 2060.

In 2014 there were 331 American Indianand Native Alaskans who were centenarians.

AINA CON’T

At age 65 24.5% of this group rated theirHealth as good/excellent.

Data for the age of 85 is not available.

This group identified two frequentlyoccurring conditions. Diagnosed arthritis – 57% All types of heart disease – 25%

ASIANS CON’T

Chronic conditions that were reported include:Diagnosed arthritis – 36%All types of heart disease – 24%Cancer – 12%

MINORITY AGING

Our older population is becoming moreracially and ethnically diverse. Thesegroups have increased from 6.3 millionin 2003 to9.5 million in 2013. This is 21.3 of all older adults.

Bibliography:

Dictionary.references.com

History.hanover.edu

U. S. Census Bureau and theNational Center for Health Statistics as of September 30, 2015

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living