The Hispanic Elderly and the Intergenerational Family

Summary This paper outlines the demographic and economic realities of the Hispanic population as a whole and the Hispanic elderly particularly. The Hispanic extended, multi-generational family is examined both from the perspective of how the older person benefits and how the leadership by older family members sustains and supports younger family members. The paper concludes that in future generations the pressures of life in the United States on the Hispanic family may cause a breakdown of traditional intergenerational support. What is needed are focused programmatic efforts which support intergenerational interactions that reinforce the close family ties.