caring for older adults holistically, 4th edition chapter seven culturally specific care

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th EditionCaring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition

Chapter SevenChapter Seven

Culturally Specific Care


Culture and EthnicityCulture and Ethnicity Culture

Nonphysical traits we inherit

Ethnicity Physical inheritance

Transcultural nursing Caring for the cultural and ethnic aspects of people Culturally specific care is the basis for holistic care

Older adult population becoming more diverse


Black AmericansBlack Americans

Black racial groups from Africa, Jamaica, Haiti, West Indian Islands, Dominican Republic

22.1% live in poverty Due to poverty, older adult blacks die earlier than

white counterparts Value wisdom and knowledge of older adults in

community


Black AmericansBlack Americans

Body, mind, and spirit interconnected Many in black community are Muslim

Religious beliefs important to lifestyle, including diet; do not eat pork

Sickle cell anemia exists only in black people Higher incidence of death from stroke, coronary

heart disease, and prostate cancer


Native AmericansNative Americans

Predominantly live in 26 states, mostly in the western states

Many live on reservations but also in urban areas 560 native American tribes in United States Each has own culture, folklore, and folk medicine Importance of Mother Earth and living in harmony

with nature



Illness is a price to pay for current or future bad behavior

Traditional tribes have medicine man or woman usually called a Shaman

One-third live in poverty High incidence of malnutrition, tuberculosis, high

maternal and infant death rates, diabetes mellitus, alcoholism



Close family bonds, respect for elders Personal health questions seen as probing and

disrespectful


Asian AmericansAsian Americans

12 million Asian Americans in the United States Asian refers to individuals with origins in Far East

Asia, Southeast Asia, and India Highest median income of any foreign born group Respect wisdom of older people Address older person with his or her formal name

using Mr. or Mrs.


Asian AmericansAsian Americans

Never give a command to an older Asian adult; seen as insult

Older adults taken care of at home by family May use herbs, acupuncture, acupressure,

cupping, spirituality


European AmericansEuropean Americans

Generally have white skin Each European country its own cultural beliefs European countries have national health care

plans that provide socialized medicine


Hispanic AmericansHispanic Americans

Second largest minority group in the United States

Immigrants for Mexico, South and Central America, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Spain

Live in large multi-generational family households More likely to be unemployed compared to non-

Hispanic whites



More likely than non-Hispanic whites to live in poverty

Traditional Hispanics believe that good health is good luck

Illness seen as punishment for wrongdoings Use amulets, herbs, and spices Assume responsibility of caring for their elderly



Due to increase in poverty, more susceptible to malnutrition, tuberculosis, and homicide

Time is a relative event Older Hispanics slow to come into the health care

system Treat “hot” diseases with “cold” remedies


Jewish AmericansJewish Americans

50% of all Jews in the world live in the United States

80% of Jewish Americans have a college education

Traditional Jews recognize two aspects of health—spirit and body

Maintaining good health is an expectation Modern medicine is encouraged


Jewish AmericansJewish Americans

Traditional Jews eat a kosher diet Avoid mixing meat and dairy products Cannot eat shellfish and pork

caring for older adults holistically, 4th edition chapter seven culturally specific care

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