Holistic Care of the Older Adult: Cultural Diversity and Competence

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on cultural diversity and competence in elder care.

Cultural diversity in the United States

Increasing racial and ethnic diversity with a trend toward an aging population; includes gender, citizenship, religion, and socioeconomic status; health and minority status are interrelated; communication barriers exist between care providers and recipients; a more diverse health-care workforce is present.

Racial and ethnic groups (U.S. Census categories)

Categories used by the U.S. Census to classify populations; include African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asians and Pacific Islanders, American Indians and Alaska Natives; recognizes diversity within each group.

Health disparities

Significant differences in disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality, or life expectancy between populations.

Health literacy

Major determinant of health outcomes; ability to obtain, process, and understand health information; low health literacy linked to worse outcomes and higher costs.

Health belief system

Health-related attitudes, beliefs, and practices; definitions of health and wellness rooted in major health belief systems; nurses should understand older adults’ health beliefs.

Cultural competence

A fluid, dynamic, ongoing process in which the nurse works effectively within the cultural context of the individual, family, or community; moves from judgmental attitudes to positive approaches.

Ethnogeriatrics

Integrates the influence of race, ethnicity, and culture on the health and well-being of older adults.

Cultural self-assessment

Awareness-raising tool to examine health-related values, beliefs, attitudes, and practices; helps recognize internalized stigmas and prejudices.

Linguistically competent care

Care that is respectful of and responsive to a person’s linguistic needs; includes addressing communication with patients not proficient in English and using interpreter resources.

Interpreter resources

Resources in health care settings to address language barriers (e.g., interpreters, translation services).

Health promotion

National initiatives emphasize identifying and implementing evidence-based approaches to health literacy assessment and interventions; focus on promoting health.

Cultural perspective on wellness

Wellness meanings vary among older adults; health beliefs influence how wellness is defined and pursued.

Cultural competence (nursing standards)

Defined by the Holistic Nursing Scope and Standards as a fluid, dynamic ongoing process to work effectively within the cultural context of the patient.

Older adults in rural areas

Older adults living in rural settings; may face unique access to care and resource challenges.

Homeless older adults

Older adults who are homeless; face health-care access barriers and meet specialized health-care needs.

LGBT older adults

Older adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender; may have distinct health-care needs and encounter discrimination.