The white world of nursing homes: the myriad barriers to access facing today's elderly minorities.

Abstract

In this note, Ms. Aeschleman explores the cultural, social, and economic barriers faced by elderly minorities in need of nursing home care. Ms. Aeschleman argues that minority elders face greater economic barriers to nursing home access than Whites because of factors such as lower average incomes and a lack of access to and assistance with government programs. Culturally, Ms. Aeschleman argues that minorities face barriers to nursing home care because of language differences, the location of nursing homes within communities, traditions, and both overt and indirect acts of discrimination from nursing home staff, administrators, and White clients. Following a discussion of these barriers, Ms. Aeschleman suggests options to give elderly minorities equal access to nursing homes through federal and state incentives, as well as community-based activism and awareness campaigns.