Working with Elderly Patients from Minority Groups

• During your professional lifetime, the number of elderly patients will increase dramatically.

• Both nationally and in Kansas, particularly rapid increases are expected in the number of elders from minority groups.

• The proportion of elderly patients from minority groups is expected to change from about one in ten to one in four by 2030.

  US Population Aged 65 or older

    19902030 (projected)
   White (non-Hispanic)87%75%
   Black (non-Hispanic)8%9%
   Hispanic4%11%
   Asian1%5%
   Native American<1%<1%

   

• The projected numbers of elderly Hispanics are probably under-estimates due to undercounting in the census, improved survival rates, and changes in immigration patterns.

  e.g. as single workers bring families and dependent elders into the country

• Currently, most minority Kansans live in the larger cities plus significant Hispanic populations in towns in south-western Kansas.

  All counties reported significant changes in population diversity between the 1990 and 2000 census.

All physicians practicing in the USA and in Kansas need clinical skills appropriate to elders from several different ethnic groups.

(Even pediatricians and obstetricians - grandparents’ health impacts the entire family and elders can influence the health and health behavior of other family and community members)