Title: Cultural Competence In the Aging Network: Creating A Vision, Developing Strategies and Identifying R
1Cultural Competence In the Aging Network
Creating A Vision, Developing Strategies and
Identifying Resources for Success
- National Aging Disability IR/A Symposium
- Bernice Hutchinson
- National Association of State Units on Aging
- Monday, June 6, 2005
2Cultural Competence in the Aging NetworkOverview
- Older Americans are an important and growing
segment of our population. - The growth and increasing diversity of this
population affects how IR professionals meet
their needs. - Understanding emerging trends can determine
cultural competence challenges and ultimately
benefit IR system design and service delivery.
3Cultural Competence in the Aging Network Older
Adults
- Older adults represent the fastest growing
segment of the U.S. population. - In 2003, nearly 36 million Americans were age 65
and older. By 2050, that number will grow to
almost 87 million. - The oldest segment of the population (85) grew
from just 100,000 in 1900 to 4.2 million in 2000. - The 85 segment of the population is projected to
grow from 4.2 million in 2000 to nearly 21
million in 2050.
4Cultural Competence in the Aging Network Gender
- Women make up 58 of the population age 65 and
over and 69 of the population age 85 and over. - A majority of older men are veterans.
- In 2003, older men were much more likely than
older women to be married. Over three-quarters
(78) of men age 65-74 were married, compared
with over half (56 ) of women in the same age
group. - In 2003, women age 65 and over were three times
as likely as men of the same age to be widowed.
5Cultural Competence in the Aging Network Racial
and Ethnic Diversity
- As our older population grows, it will also
become more diverse in its racial and ethnic
composition. - In 2003, non-Hispanic whites accounted for nearly
83 percent of the older population, African
Americans made up 8 percent, Hispanics accounted
for nearly 6 percent and Asians made up 3
percent. - By 2050, the composition will change to 61 for
non-Hispanic whites, 18 for Hispanics and 12
for African Americans, and 8 for Asians.
6Cultural Competence in the Aging Network The New
Diversity
- Non-English Speaking/Immigrant
- Older Adults with Mental and Physical
Disabilities - Older Adults Living with HIV/AIDs
- Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Older Adults
- Older Adult Prisoners
- Older Adult Caregivers of Adults/Children
- Older Battered Women
- Foreign Visitors/Alien Workers
- Older Adults with Divergent Incomes
7Cultural Competence in the Aging Network
Education
- In 2003, 28 percent of the older population had
not completed high school. - Despite the overall increase in educational
attainment among older Americans, substantial
differences exist among racial and ethnic groups.
- Comparatively, in 2003 only 48 of older African
Americans and 64 of older Hispanics had not
completed high school.
8Cultural Competence in the Aging Network Living
Arrangements
- There are significant correlations between living
arrangements of older adults and income, health
status and the availability of caregivers. - Older adults who live alone are much more likely
than older adults who live with spouses to be in
poverty. - In 2003, older women (40) were twice as likely
as older men to live alone (19).
9Cultural Competence in the Aging Network Health
Status
- Older Americans who survive to age 65 can expect
to live an average of nearly 18 more years. - The prevalence of chronic conditions differs by
sex. - In 2002, close to one-half of older men and
one-third of older women reported trouble
hearing. - Vision trouble affects 18 of the older
population. Those age 85 and older have about
33 reporting trouble seeing. - The prevalence of moderate to severe memory
impairment increases significantly with age.
10Cultural Competence in the Aging Network
Questions to Consider
- Is your state/community experiencing similar
trends? - What are the implications for IR system design
and service delivery? - What are your current activities and ideas for
the future? - What supports are needed to move toward cultural
competence?
11Cultural Competence in the Aging Network
Defining Cultural Diversity
- the differences between people based on a
shared ideology and valued set of beliefs, norms,
customs, and way of life consists of patterns
of behavior
12Cultural Competence in the Aging Network
Advancing Cultural Competence
- Recognizing Difference
- Acknowledging Difference
- Demonstrating Tolerance
- Recognizing Barriers
- Removing Personal Institutional Bias
- Value Equation (differencesame)
- Inclusion Equation (inclusionstrength)
13Cultural Competence in the Aging Network
Advancing Cultural Competence
- Value Diversity and Uniqueness
- Acquire New Knowledge
- Cultivate Leadership
- Develop Partnerships
- Integrate Diversity Goals into Aging IR Agenda
14Cultural Competence in the Aging Network Aging
Network Priorities
- Focus on the Person
- Coordinated and Comprehensive System of Supports
- Advocacy for Older People
- The Seamless Access/Delivery Experience
15Cultural Competence in the Aging Network IR
and Cultural Competence
- Access
- The Referral Experience
- Follow-Up
- Advocacy
- Resources
- Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting
- Taxonomy
- Training and Staffing
- Partnership Development
16Cultural Competence in the Aging Network
Resources
- Assessment and Planning Tools
- National Center on Cultural Competence
http//gucdc.georgetown.edu/nccc - National Association of State Units on Aging
www.nasua.org/informationandreferral - n4a Diversity Advancement Toolkitwww.n4a.com
- Guidelines, Reports and Studies
- U.S. Administration on Aging www.aoa.gov
- Generations Volume 26, No.3 Fall 2002
www.asaing.org - Training and Technical Assistance
- National Aging IR Support Center
www.nasua.org/informationandreferral
17Cultural Competence in the Aging Network Summary
- Create an accurate picture of your aging
population now and in the future. - Statistics and trends can be useful in
understanding cultural competence challenges. - Advancing cultural competence in aging IR is a
process of understanding the composition of the
service area, creating a vision, identifying
goals, seeking strategies and accessing useful
resources.