Elderly Immigrants Research Articles

Prevalence of depression and somatic symptoms among Korean elderly immigrants.

Forty-one Korean immigrants in Washington, D.C. (of the United States) metropolitan area over age 60 were interviewed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (Korean version) with additional questions about culture-specific somatic symptoms identified in previous research with Korean populations. The lifetime and current prevalence were 29.27 percent and 14.63 percent, respectively, for major depression; 9.76 percent and 2.44 percent for generalized anxiety disorder; and 9.76 percent and 7.32 percent for somatization disorder. The lifetime and current rates of co-occurrence of major depression and somatization disorder were 25 percent and 33.33 percent. Subjects who met criteria for depression were more likely to experience culture-specific Korean somatic symptoms than subjects who did not meet those criteria.

Elderly muslim immigrants from south asia: Family, community, and social services

This article reports the findings of a study that examined the needs and challenges first generation South Asian Muslim elderly immigrants face in adaptation to American society. Findings revealed ...

Self-reported health and function status of elderly Turkish immigrants in Copenhagen, Denmark.

This study analyses the self-reported health and functional status of elderly Turkish immigrants in Copenhagen. One hundred and sixteen Turkish immigrants aged 55 and over were interviewed at home about their health problems and their ability to perform a number of daily activities. Only one-third of the respondents reported having no chronic illness, while chronic arthritis was the one mentioned most frequently (41%). Almost 2/3 of the respondents reported having pains in their locomotor systems. Women are overrepresented, but the differences are not statistically significant. As regards the 11 daily activities in the questionnaire, only 39 of the respondents reported being able to perform all of them without difficulty. The article suggests some possible explanations for the results and suggests future areas for research.

Continuities in Providing for Old Age: Cross‐national and Cross‐cultural Comparisons

Drawing on a purposive sample of 25 interviews supplemented by secondary source material, this comparative study explores the options available to elderly immigrants in two quite similar countries to achieve social security in their old age. The focus is the culturally determined perspectives and practices of aging Italian‐born and Indian‐born immigrants in the context of public and private sector social welfare policies and provisions in Australia and Canada. Government transfers, occupational superannuation, tax‐deductible personal savings, housing, and formal and informal supports are discussed. What is important to the sense of social security of the older people and how well‐off or disadvantaged they seem to be are among the questions raised. The design affords an opportunity to test the complex combination of cross‐national and cross‐cultural comparison. In the certainty that the income deficiencies of today's elderly immigrants cannot be remedied easily or quickly enough to benefit those affected, intervention strategies can be aimed at expanding ethno‐specific community supports and quality residential care; such a direction is supported by assessment of service availability in relation to estimates of aging among particular foreign‐born immigrant groups. Suggestions are made for future research at the levels of theory and application.

"Att vara som folk"

Do similarities exist between the Persian form of social intercourse and the form of social intercourse one meets among the rural population of northern Sweden? During my field-work at an activities centre for elderly immigrants I discovered numerous common denominators between Persian culture and the traditional culture of Frostviken, my own native district in the northern interior. Discreet behaviour and a certain amount of reserve when confronted with strangers is something considered desirable by both groups. Shows of hospitality as well as strong family ties are highly prized. However, the symbolic formulation of these values differ in their respective cultures. In traditional culture of Frostviken an unobtrusive cultural language is employed, implying a tape of sub-communication of emotions. In Persian culture it is not considered incorrect to display admiration and respect for someone ⁠— on the contrary, expressing mutual esteem is an aspect of basic good manners. In other words, indirect honour to others through a display of generosity and hospitality is a feature which unites "the Persian" with "the Frostvikian". On the other hand, the Iranians' more direct display of courtesy ⁠— through language as well as embraces and kisses to embellish their emotions ⁠— stands in distinct contrast to the stoical linguistic subcommunication of the inhabitants of Frostviken and their retentive attitude toward bodily contact.

Rehabilitation of Older People in a Multicultural Context

Given the mobility of the population in the world today, most countries have a multicultural structure and include minority groups in addition to the indigenous population. Occupational therapists should give attention to the needs of all patients and this article suggests points that merit consideration when working with elderly immigrants.

Educational perspectives for elderly migrants: A case of Soviet refugees

Modern human migration is characterized by a large number of elderly immigrants, who are coming to the United States from developing countries as refugees. The emigration from the Soviet Union during the last 20 years presents a unique phenomenon in modern human migration because of (1) the high percentage of the elderly, about 17%; (2) origination from urban areas and rather high level of education; (3) beliefs and attitudes developed under the Soviet political, economic and cultural system; (4) non-minority status in the United States; and (5) strong support from the American Jewish community. The greatest problem in adjustment of the elderly is English fluency, because language determines the utilization of health services and social support which they need and which are available from the agencies. Special education programs for these elderly with bilingual/bicultural instructors must be identified as one of the most important intervention approaches. There is another educational strategy for the immigrant population which must be promoted: training/retraining of bilingual/bicultural professionals in geriatrics. American professionals who deal with the elderly Soviets must also be educated about Soviet culture, system of social welfare, health practices and social behavior.

Oral disease beliefs, behaviors, and health status of Korean-Americans.

Previous research with other ethnic minorities has shown that culture and age cohort, as well as language and economic limitations, act as barriers to obtaining dental care and maintaining good oral health. This study compared self-reported oral health attitudes, self-efficacy, and dental practices of 20 younger and 23 elderly Korean-Americans. Oral assessments were also conducted to determine plaque and gingival status, and root and coronal caries. Significant differences emerged in health self-efficacy (P less than .01) and preventive health orientation (P less than .002). Elderly had fewer teeth (P less than .0001), more decayed and filled root surfaces (P less than .05 and P less than .004, respectively), and more decayed and filled coronal surfaces (P less than .001 and P less than .03). Both groups showed higher levels of distal and mesial plaque than occlusal and cervical plaque; however, the elderly had higher rates of both (P less than .0001). Gingival status was also worse for the elderly, on distal and mesial (P less than .01), facial (P less than .01), and lingual (P less than .01) surfaces. These differences are striking, since the elderly reported visiting the dentist more recently (P less than .0001); but most of these visits were for prosthodontic and emergency care. Better preventive dental care and education are necessary for elderly immigrants who have not been exposed to preventive dentistry in their home countries.

Access and Use of Health Related Social Services of Immigrants and Native Born Americans:

We report on findings of an empirical study of knowledge, attitudes and utilization of health related social services by elderly immigrants and native born Americans in Southeast Florida. Major findings based on a random sample of 1438 respondents indicate that immigrant respondents are less healthy, less likely to have a personal physician or medical insurance and are less aware of the health related social services available to them. In addition, our findings indicate that although both groups are basically uninformed with respect to health related social services, the immigrant population is reluctant to use these services even when informed of their availability.

Health care access and advocacy for immigrant and other underserved elders.

Little is known about health care access and advocacy for elders of color, and even less is known about immigrant elders, whose growing number is the major reason that almost one of every three older persons in the U.S. by the year 2050 will be an elder of color. This paper explores a number of access barriers faced by underserved elders, including inequitable long-term care services and counterproductive "colorblind" approaches to caregiving. It also addresses barriers, such as problematic immigration policies, that present particular challenges to elderly immigrants. While available materials provide baseline information and help providers learn about underserved elders, real change in how target populations gain access to health and social services comes when providers make explicit efforts to improve the accessibility and quality of services.

Hwabyung: The construction of a korean popular illness among korean elderly immigrant women in the United States

The cultural construction of Hwabyung, a Korean culture-bound syndrome, is explored among a sample of 20 elderly Korean immigrant women in the United States. Hwabyung results when distressed emotions associated with the specifically Korean way of perceiving and reacting to intolerable and tragic life situations cause bodily symptoms by interfering with the harmony of "Ki" (vital energy). Korean elderly immigrants report a broad range of symptoms associated with Hwabyung; they less frequently report the epigastric mass, which had been considered the cardinal symptom by cosmopolitan and traditional medical writers. Hwabyung is treated holistically with psychosocial support from family, spiritual comfort, home and popular remedies, traditional Korean medicine, and biomedical treatments. Hwabyung provides a way of conceptualizing and resolving emotional distress through somatization among Korean elderly immigrant women.

HMO Enrollment by Medicare Beneficiaries in Heterogeneous Communities

This study examines the effect of ethnicity, race, and other socioeconomic and utilization variables on belonging to a fee-for-service or capitated plan by Medicare beneficiaries. Native-born beneficiaries cite health status, physical access to health care facilities, and income levels as affecting their choice. Immigrants, on the other hand, mention age, a lifestyle of living alone, and income as influencing their decision. Among foreign-born nationals, race appears to play an important role in choosing health care plans. A key factor affecting enrollment among immigrant populations appears to be the availability of ethnic sensitive providers of health care. While the elderly Hispanic immigrant population utilizes participating providers in prepaid plans catering to a Spanish-speaking population, the lack of similar facilities among predominantly black immigrant neighborhoods inhibits participation in HMOs by elderly immigrants from places such as Haiti and the Caribbean Basin. Policy implications are discussed.

Functional Capacity of Hispanic Elderly Immigrants

The OARS methodology was used to assess functional capacity in 152 noninstitutionalized Hispanic elderly immigrants. Their economic resources were the most impaired of any functional dimension. Only half of the sample wasfunctioning well in mental health. Although there were no significant gender differences on social resources there were significant differences in economic resources, mental health, physical health, and ADL. Education was predictive of better social and economic resources. Younger people had significantly better function on physical health and ADL. I discuss cultural interpretation of the findings and examine strategies for practice.

The Impact of Acculturation on the Eating Habits of Elderly Immigrants

As it is with most elderly people, traditional Cuban eating patterns provide a sense of psycho-social well being. Immigration has modified many of these eating habits, with a resultant loss of comfort and security. Health care givers need to recognize that the meaning, value and structure of eating behaviors can only be understood within the context of people's culture.

Masculine Cities and Feminine Suburbs: Polarized Ideas, Contradictory Realities

"Cities" and "suburbs," "men" and "women," are names of categories that encompass individual entities which are, in many ways, as different from each other as they are similar. Yet, because the commonalities that do exist are, for various reasons, important to us, we find the labels meaningful. In this paper, I will try to deal with three related uses of the words "women," "men," "suburbs," and "cities." First, they are symbols that our culture has construed as polar opposites: the city against the suburb, men against women. We have gone on to link the city with men, the suburbs with women. Next, they are both symbols and actual events in the lives of contemporary Americans who talk about themselves. Finally, they are the subjects of statistical descriptions of the distribution of people of various racial and socioeconomic groups in different residential locations, household types, and jobs. The pictures that emerge from each type of data-the cultural, the introspective self-report, and the demographic-have a certain apparent consistency. Yet, taken together, contradictions between symbols, lived experience, and demographic description become obvious.