The impact of cultural values on patient education for the elderly

Little literature has examined the interaction of culture and patient education with specific reference to the elderly. It is necessary for nurses to develop a respectful understanding of their patient's culture in order to provide meaningful and relevant patient education. Understanding of cultural differences is especially important when educating elderly immigrants, as many elderly retain significant aspects of their native cultural traditions and may be slower to acculturate to Western cultural values. This paper will outline a number of assessment parameters and educational strategies necessary for nurses to begin to provide culturally sensitive patient education for elderly patients within the nephrology setting.