Aging and DiversityAging and Diversity

North Carolina Conference On AgingNorth Carolina Conference On AgingSeptember 11, 2007September 11, 2007Winston-Salem, NCWinston-Salem, NC

Althea Taylor-Jones, PhDAlthea Taylor-Jones, PhDWinston-Salem State UniversityWinston-Salem State University

Gerontology ProgramGerontology Program

Aging and Diversity

Themes will focus on historical and cultural foundations (African Americans; Asian Americans; Hispanic Americans).

The response and effect of gender, culture, race and ethnicity will be examined as to the care, status and services accorded to aging individuals who are members of specific cultural groups.

In addition, the aging of subgroups within society (e.g., women, individuals with special needs) will be explored.

Participants will gain an awareness of the impact of values and beliefs, family structures, and other elements of diversity on the treatment and care of aging individuals.

Diversity Defined:

Diversity is broadly defined as differences in ethnicity,race, geographical regions, sexual orientation, religion, andhealth status (Cummings & Galambos, 2004, p. xvi)

Diversity can also be defined as:

Variety

Assortment

Multiplicity

(Fried & Mehrotra, 1998)

Elements of Diversity

AgeCohortCultural IdentificationFormal EducationFamily CompositionGenderLanguageLiving ArrangementsReligion, SpiritualitySocial Roles

(Fried & Mehrotra, 1998)

Elements of Diversity (Continued)

CommunityEthnicityFriendship PatternsHealth StatusPersonal InterestSexual OrientationSocioeconomic StatusTimeValue SystemWork Status

Elements of diversity contribute to strengths and challenges

(Fried & Mehrotra, 1998)

Ethnicity

Minority ethnic groups

Ethnicity and aging

Specific needs - Isolated communities- Metropolitan communities

Transitions

Grandparental role- Most significant racial/ethnic groups

(Cummings & Galambos, 2004; Fried & Mehrotra, 1998)

African American Elders

Major Challenges:

1. Housing

2. Healthcare

3. Employment Opportunities

Triple Jeopardy 1. Black2. Old3. Poor

(Cavanaugh, 1993; Fried & Mehrotra, 1998)

African American Elders (Continued)

Increasing numbers

Marital Status

Large percentage are:

- Poor

- Marginally poor

- Economically vulnerable

(Administration on Aging, 2007)

Asian American Elders

More than 30 ethnic groups

Largest groups- Chinese- Japanese- Filipino- Asian Indians- Koreans

Chronic diseases and illnesses

Quality of life

Professional assistance

Anticipated growth

(Administration on Aging, 2007)

Asian American Elders (Continued)

Major Challenges:

1. Language

2. Access

3. Immigration

(Kitano & Daniels, 1995)

Hispanic American Elders

One of the fastest growing groups in the nation

1990

2020

Below the poverty level

(Administration on Aging, 2007)

Hispanic American Elders (Continued)

Major Challenges:

1. Healthcare2. Family structure3. Language 4. Educational attainment 5. Services6. Housing

(Administration on Aging, 2007; Fried & Mehrotra, 1998)

Hispanic American Elders (Continued)

Unique languages, cultures, and religions:

Mexican descent

Cuban descent

Puerto Rican descent

Other Hispanic Heritage

(Administration on Aging, 2007)

Women

Compared to men:

Social support

Acute illnesses

Stress, disability, and vulnerability

(Fried & Mehrotra, 1998)

Women (Continued)

America’s caregivers

Live longer

Large percentage dependent on Social Security

Women (Continued)

Compared to men –percentage of $1.00 earned:

District of Columbia (98 percent)

California (82 percent)

North Carolina (81 percent)

Louisiana (66 percent)

Wyoming (66 percent)

Women earn the highest percentage of the family income

Women earn $250,000 less than men over a lifetime

(AARP, 2007)

Women (Continued)

Work longer

Less insured

Dependent on children

Live longer

Less economically secure

Live alone

(AARP, 2007; Administration on Aging, 2007)

Persons With Disabilities

The only minority group that anyone can join at any given moment

Strategies

- Assistive technology

- Ergonomic development

- Telecommunications

(Fried & Mehrotra, 1998)

GLBT Elders

GLBT - Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender:

- Complicated, multiple identities

1. Women2. People of color3. Social Security4. Voiceless5. Powerless

(Cummings & Galambos, 2004)

GLBT Elders (Continued)

Age 55 and older

Five years

Ten years

Diversity (ethnically, economically)

Wholesale rejection

(GLBT, 2005)

GLBT - Obstacles

Considerable discrimination- Housing - Public accommodations

Stigma

Overt hatred

(Brotman et al., 2003; GLBT, 2005)

GLBT - Challenges

Access to services

- SAGE - GLOE - SHR

Recognition of GLBT families

Social Security

Employee health benefits

Inheritance

Housing(GLBT, 2005)

GLBT Elders – Challenges (Continued)

Rejection or acceptance

Compared to heterosexual seniors

1. Age as a single person

2. Have no children to call upon in times of need

3. Live alone

(GLBT, 2005)

GLBT - Myths

Responses from agencies and programs:

“There aren’t any around here.”

“We’re open to everyone anyway.”

No one has ever asked, so there is obviously no need.”

(Smith & Calvert, 2001, p. 9)

GLBT Elders - Strengths

Social advantage

Committed partner relationships

Coping skills

Family of choice

Gender role flexibility

(Barranti & Cohen, 2000; Healy, 2002)

GLBT Elders - Solutions

Confront myths

Be proactive

Change practices and policies

(Cummings & Galambos, 2004)

Homeless

Homeless in Forsyth County

- More than 500 on any given day

- Elders (fifteen percent)

(Kurtz, 2007)

Promoting Diversity

Inside-out

Communicating

Outside the box

Effort

Promoting Diversity (Continued)

Impacts every person

Moral imperative

Right thing to do

Everyone’s responsibility

Solves problems

Thank You!Thank You!

Althea Taylor-Jones, PhDAlthea Taylor-Jones, PhDGerontology Program DirectorGerontology Program Director

Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem State University 601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive

307 Coltrane Hall307 Coltrane HallWinston-Salem, NC 27110-0003Winston-Salem, NC 27110-0003

(336) 750-3231 - Voicemail(336) 750-3231 - Voicemail(336) 750-8650 - Facsimile(336) 750-8650 - Facsimile

taylorjones@wssu.edu - E-Mail