Research Paper on "Multiculturalism in Healthcare Aim at Long-Term Care"

Research Paper 8 pages (3020 words) Sources: 20

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Multiculturalism in Healthcare Aim at Long-Term Care

The process of aging is inescapable, as every human being is its victim. Aging does not discriminate; transcending gender, economic class, ethnicity, religion and culture. During this process, individuals are subject to the diseases and disabling consequences associated with growing older. The medical and additional attention needed for the elderly population has the potential to require long-term care. This need for extra assistance or medical care can cause strain on the elders' family, leading some families to seek services provided by long-term care hospitals, assisted living, hospice, and nursing homes. In the United States alone, there are an estimated 12 million people who need assistance with daily living, including such tasks as bathing, dressing, and eating (Chang, 2004).

Millions of individuals in the U.S. choose to place loved ones and family members into long-term care, which inevitably introduces a range of different backgrounds to these long-term institutions. Although long-term care is available in most cities throughout the U.S., not every family chooses to enroll their elderly family members (or those needing assistance) in these services. The trend is notably marked by culture, as various cultures have opposing views regarding family members being placed in nursing homes, and other long-term facilities. There are some cultures that demonstrate long-term care as commonplace. Nursing home residents are currently older, sicker, and more likely to be mentally impaired than they were 25 years ago, and providing care for them can be regarded as a burden in some cultures, which should not be shouldered by the family (Weiner, & Ronch, 2003). Other cultures view caring for elderly family members as a tradition and is incorporated into familial roles (Dodson, & Robayo, 2003). These cultures tend to consider nursing homes and long-term care facilities as a violation of their cultural traditions.

Despite the opposing cultural views, multiculturalism is still represented in nursing homes and long-term care institutions in the U.S. Every patient and resident admitted into long-term facilities brings their personal experiences and values. This presents a host of sub-cultures into long-term care facilities, including: race, ethnicity, language, gender role, gender identification, food, and religion. Every resident brings their social and cultural identities to their respective facilities, creating various degrees of diversity in long-term care. This draws the attention of researchers and scholars, which has lead to observations surrounding sub-cultural views and practices. Scholars advise such facilities as nursing homes often neglect social and cultural supports needed by the elderly (Banaszak-Holl, & Copen, 2002).

Cultural values regarding long-term care as an acceptable means to provide for the elderly can be exemplified by the presence of racial and ethical cultures in nursing homes. The White American culture comprises the majority of nursing home population, while Hispanic and Asian cultures are significantly a minority. The presence of these populations speaks to the views of their respective cultures. Quality of care provided by long-term facilities is often questioned, and the representation of minorities also leads researchers to inquire to the particular care given to lesser represented cultures, such as African-Americans, and Hispanics. The beliefs and understandings of cultures are implicated in a myriad of ways, with the multiculturalism of nursing homes and long-term care being a prominent representation of opposing views. According to the National Nursing Home Survey, there is a total of 1.4 million nursing home residences, almost 1.3 are white, less than 200 thousand are African-American, 57 thousand Hispanic or Latino, and 30 thousand accounts for other races that were not specified (Center for Disease, 2010).

The data presented by the survey explains 91% of all nursing home residents are White American (Center for Disease, 2010). This figure assists the validation of culture values belonging to White Americans in regards to placing elderly family members into nursing home care. The statistic suggests White Americans view nursing homes and long-term care as a means to support the elderly and provide their needed assistance and attention, and is not regarded with such negative connotations as other cultures. In contrast, elderly African-Americans are admitted to nursing homes at a far lower rate than whites (Belgrave, Wykle, & Choi, 1993).

The African-American population represents less than 2% of all residents. There are researchers who advise the lower number of African-Americans in nursing homes is not a matter of culture, but a matter of finances (Randall, 2004). It is possible that more African-Americans can not afford the great monetary expense that is coupled with nursing home care, versus an indication of preference toward home health care. One study examined the racial separation in long-term care, focusing on the distribution of African-Americans in nursing homes. The group sampled a total of 181 residential care/assisted living facilities and 39 nursing homes in 4 states. The study found African-American residents to be concentrated in a few predominantly African-American facilities, and Whites residing in predominantly White facilities. The African-American facilities were primarily in rural, nonpoor African-American communities. The majority of these long-term facilities admitted individuals with mental retardation and problems with ambulating, and showed evidence of lower cleanliness, maintenance, and lighting ratings (Howard, Sloane, Zimmerman, & Eckert, 2002). The implications of the findings are profound, however the study concludes by considering the racial discrepancies as a result of economic factors, exclusionary practices, or the choice of the resident. This study is not adequate enough to define segregation as a means for care inequality, and any direct correlation remains undetermined (Howard, Sloane, Zimmerman, & Eckert, 2002).

The Hispanic and Latino population comprise the third largest tier in nursing homes; only meeting less than 0.5% of all residents. This percentage of Hispanic representation reflects a cultural understanding, as Hispanics exhibit a distinct preference for home health care over nursing homes (DiMaria, 2006). Hispanics exude a cultural partiality to caring for elderly family members at home, and requesting home health-assistance for additional help if necessary. Although this cultural preference is understood, there is still argument to be made regarding the financial accessibility to healthcare for Hispanics and Latinos. In the U.S. more Latinos are uninsured, and this is a significant hurdle to obtaining healthcare. The monetary demand from nursing homes also limits resources and options (DiMaria, 2006). A study was conducted to examine the distribution of elderly Hispanics residing in nursing homes. The study showed elderly Hispanics are more likely than Whites to live in nursing home facilities that are understaffed, have deficiencies in performance, and provide poorer care (Fennell, Feng, Clark, & Mor, 2010). Similar to the study investigating the dispersion of African-American residents, the study is unable to conclude defining parallels between segregation and care inequality. The fourth and fifth largest ethnic group comprising nursing home residents are Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indians, respectively. The Asian population accounts for less than 15 thousand residents, while American Indians are represented by less than 6 thousand residents total in the U.S. (Larson, 2000).

Multiculturalism is evident within nursing homes, with a high unbalance between the majority and minorities. As previously discussed, significant concern drawing the focus of researchers is the quality of life provided to racial and ethnic minorities receiving long-term treatment. One disparity is the lower level of care and attention given due to language concerns. The language barrier impacts a residents' ability to comprehend, read, and communicate (DiMaria, 2006). This cultural and language hurdle prevents common understanding and communication, consequently affecting medical care and attention needed for these minority residents. Researchers advise, however, quality of life is difficult to measure. Studies to measure quality of life are of low priority to nursing home staff, due to the time and commitment required to influence practical change within all nursing homes (Kane, 2003). To improve quality of life for residents, regardless of culture, the voices of the residents must be heard and considered. One study showed in a theoretical analysis, that residents perceived quality of life as a reflection of their health and social supports. Nursing homes must nurture positive environments to satisfy the residents' need for social engagement (Kane, 2003). To implement this practice across the cultures, language and communication barriers must be lowered.

Transcending the confines of any race, culture, or language, is the basic distinction of gender. Even though the categories of male and female are easily defined, the gender roles and gender identities associated with them are not. According to the same National Nursing Home Survey, there are just over 1.4 million residents currently in nursing home care in the U.S. The female to male ratio is almost three to one, with over one million females, and 400 thousand males. The majority of all residents, over 1.1 million, are age 75 and over (Center for Disease, 2010). Gender trends have been observed by professionals within the context of long-term care, indicating the prevalence of one sex over the other. For example, in hospital settings, women tend to be hospitalized less frequently than men, while more women use nursing homes and hospice care more frequently (Bird, Lemon, & Intrator, 2000).

Researchers question the effect of gender differences as it… READ MORE

How to Reference "Multiculturalism in Healthcare Aim at Long-Term Care" Research Paper in a Bibliography

Related Research Papers:

Ethical Issue With Nanomedicine Term Paper

Ethics in Nanomedicine

The term "nanomedicine" is mainly a reference to the scientific technology called nanotechnology which is used to enhance or sustain health at a small level. This technology… read more

Term Paper 40 pages (10726 words) Sources: 10 Style: APA Topic: Environment / Conservation / Ecology

---

Multicultural Education Term Paper

Education

Multiculturalism in Education: Creating a Brighter Tomorrow

Multiculturalism in education is an essential element in shaping America's increasingly diverse society. Different ethnic, linguistic, racial, and religious groups bring to… read more

Term Paper 10 pages (3181 words) Sources: 6 Style: APA Topic: Education / Teaching / Learning

---

Structural Inequality and Diversity Term Paper

STRUCTURAL INEQUALITY & DIVERSITY

ROOT CAUSE of STRUCTURAL INEQUALITY, SOCIAL STRATIFICATIONS and DISASTER THAT SOCIAL DARWINISM BROUGHT to HUMANITY WITH a FOCUS on the RACIAL OPPRESSION of ABORIGINAL and BLACK… read more

Term Paper 20 pages (5575 words) Sources: 10 Style: APA Topic: Sociology / Society

---

History and Philosophy of Social Work in the US Term Paper

Philosophy of Social Work in the U.S.

The basic concerns of social welfare - poverty, disability and disease, the dependent young and elderly - are as old as civilized society… read more

Term Paper 12 pages (4090 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Family / Dating / Marriage

---

Immigration Policy in the United States Term Paper

particularly on how it has impacted Texas. The immigration policy of the United States has changed over time, and has changed again since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.… read more

Term Paper 5 pages (1818 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Race / Ethnic Studies / Racism

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>