Culturally sensitive care for the elderly

The opportunities for nurse practitioners to work with elderly minorities and immigrants are on the rise. Both populations are witnessing steady growth. The nurse practitioner is in a unique position to serve this population because of advanced clinical skills and traditional nursing values. When combined, these competencies make the practitioner more capable of interacting with individuals of other cultures and ages. However, skill and professional concepts still require a foundation. This article proposes that a key element in interacting with members of other cultures is understanding one's own history and sensitivities and then approaching the individual with respect.