The growing population of aged in the United States has sparked a growing need to understand the implications of this population for our health care system. Nonwhite elder populations in the U.S. are increasing more rapidly than any other group, which raises specific concerns about the quality of health care available to them. This study presents the results of a survey administered to 45 Chicano/Latino elders living in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area of Minnesota. Elders provided responses regarding their awareness and utilization of available health care services. They also answered questions about barriers that they perceive to impede their acccess to these health care services. Subjects' rates of service awareness and utilization were compared to descriptive data on possible barriers. These included language, acculturation, education, literacy levels, socioeconomic status and cultural differences. Characteristics of respondents were representative of the general population. Elders surveyed appeared to be aware of and utilize health care service providers at similar and sometimes higher rates than other elders in Minnesota. This may be because respondents live in an urban area with strong support networks promoting available services. However, responses to open-ended questions did indicate factors perceived to be barriers to prompt and adequate health care. Barriers included: language barriers, financial constraints, lack of insurance, lack of transportation, and physical limitations. This study indicates that more research needs to be conducted on the quality of health care services obtained by Chicano/Latino elders, as well as the cultural differences that may affect their care.
Learning Objectives: Learners will explain five barriers to health care described by latino/chicano elders in Minnesota.
Keywords: Access to Health Care, Hispanic
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