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Residential preferences and eldercare views of Hispanic elders
R A Johnson1, V L Schwiebert, P Alvarado-Rosenmann
1School of Nursing, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb 60115, USA. johnce@niv.edu
Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Elderly Mexican-Americans prefer avoiding nursing homes, viewing them as a last resort. They wish not to burden their children and value extended family support in eldercare decisions.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sociology
- Cultural Studies
Background:
- Understanding the eldercare preferences of minority aging populations is crucial for culturally sensitive care planning.
- Mexican-American elders represent a significant demographic with unique cultural values influencing their healthcare decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the residential preferences of elderly Mexican-Americans if they can no longer live independently.
- To understand their beliefs and attitudes regarding eldercare and support systems.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative, cross-sectional study design.
- Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 elderly Mexican-American participants.
- Participants were recruited from an inner-city congregate meal site in a Midwestern city.
Main Results:
- Nursing homes are perceived as a last resort, with a strong desire to avoid becoming a burden to children.
- Intergenerational differences in lifestyle were noted as a factor in eldercare.
- Extended family involvement is a significant element in the eldercare beliefs of this population.
Conclusions:
- Findings highlight the importance of family support and autonomy in the eldercare preferences of Mexican-American elders.
- Helping professionals should consider cultural values and family dynamics when developing eldercare plans for this demographic.
- Further research is needed to explore these themes in broader contexts and with larger sample sizes.