Aging and Diversity

1. Aging and Diversity North Carolina Conference On Aging September 11, 2007 Winston-Salem, NC Althea Taylor-Jones, PhD Winston-Salem State University Gerontology Program

2. Themes will focus on historical and cultural foundations (African Americans; Asian Americans; Hispanic Americans). The response and effect of gender, culture, race and ethnicity will be examined as to the care, status and services accorded to aging individuals who are members of specific cultural groups. In addition, the aging of subgroups within society (e.g., women, individuals with special needs) will be explored. Participants will gain an awareness of the impact of values and beliefs, family structures, and other elements of diversity on the treatment and care of aging individuals. Aging and Diversity

3. Diversity Defined: Diversity is broadly defined as differences in ethnicity, race, geographical regions, sexual orientation, religion, and health status (Cummings & Galambos, 2004, p. xvi) Diversity can also be defined as: • Variety • Assortment • Multiplicity (Fried & Mehrotra, 1998)

4. Elements of Diversity • Age • Cohort • Cultural Identification • Formal Education • Family Composition • Gender • Language • Living Arrangements • Religion, Spirituality • Social Roles (Fried & Mehrotra, 1998)

5. Elements of Diversity (Continued) • Community • Ethnicity • Friendship Patterns • Health Status • Personal Interest • Sexual Orientation • Socioeconomic Status • Time • Value System • Work Status Elements of diversity contribute to strengths and challenges (Fried & Mehrotra, 1998)

6. Ethnicity • Minority ethnic groups • Ethnicity and aging • Specific needs - Isolated communities - Metropolitan communities • Transitions • Grandparental role - Most significant racial/ethnic groups (Cummings & Galambos, 2004; Fried & Mehrotra, 1998)

7. African American Elders • Major Challenges: 1. Housing 2. Healthcare 3. Employment Opportunities • Triple Jeopardy 1. Black 2. Old 3. Poor (Cavanaugh, 1993; Fried & Mehrotra, 1998)

8. African American Elders (Continued) • Increasing numbers • Marital Status • Large percentage are: - Poor - Marginally poor - Economically vulnerable (Administration on Aging, 2007)

9. More than 30 ethnic groups Largest groups - Chinese - Japanese - Filipino - Asian Indians - Koreans Chronic diseases and illnesses Quality of life Professional assistance Anticipated growth (Administration on Aging, 2007) Asian American Elders

10. Asian American Elders (Continued) • Major Challenges: • Language • Access • Immigration (Kitano & Daniels, 1995)

11. Hispanic American Elders • One of the fastest growing groups in the nation • 1990 • 2020 • Below the poverty level (Administration on Aging, 2007)

12. Hispanic American Elders (Continued) • Major Challenges: • Healthcare 2. Family structure 3. Language • Educational attainment • Services 6. Housing (Administration on Aging, 2007; Fried & Mehrotra, 1998)

13. Hispanic American Elders (Continued) Unique languages, cultures, and religions: • Mexican descent • Cuban descent • Puerto Rican descent • Other Hispanic Heritage (Administration on Aging, 2007)

14. Women Compared to men: • Social support • Acute illnesses • Stress, disability, and vulnerability (Fried & Mehrotra, 1998)

15. Women (Continued) • America’s caregivers • Live longer • Large percentage dependent on Social Security

16. Compared to men – percentage of $1.00 earned: District of Columbia (98 percent) California (82 percent) North Carolina (81 percent) Louisiana (66 percent) Wyoming (66 percent) Women earn the highest percentage of the family income Women earn $250,000 less than men over a lifetime (AARP, 2007) Women (Continued)

17. Women (Continued) • Work longer • Less insured • Dependent on children • Live longer • Less economically secure • Live alone (AARP, 2007; Administration on Aging, 2007)

18. Persons With Disabilities • The only minority group that anyone can join at any given moment • Strategies - Assistive technology - Ergonomic development - Telecommunications (Fried & Mehrotra, 1998)

19. GLBT Elders GLBT - Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender: • Complicated, multiple identities 1. Women 2. People of color 3. Social Security 4. Voiceless 5. Powerless (Cummings & Galambos, 2004)

20. GLBT Elders (Continued) • Age 55 and older • Five years • Ten years • Diversity (ethnically, economically) • Wholesale rejection (GLBT, 2005)

21. GLBT - Obstacles • Considerable discrimination - Housing - Public accommodations • Stigma • Overt hatred (Brotman et al., 2003; GLBT, 2005)

22. GLBT - Challenges • Access to services • SAGE • GLOE - SHR • Recognition of GLBT families • Social Security • Employee health benefits • Inheritance • Housing (GLBT, 2005)

23. GLBT Elders – Challenges (Continued) • Rejection or acceptance • Compared to heterosexual seniors 1. Age as a single person 2. Have no children to call upon in times of need 3. Live alone (GLBT, 2005)

24. GLBT - Myths Responses from agencies and programs: • “There aren’t any around here.” • “We’re open to everyone anyway.” • No one has ever asked, so there is obviously no need.” (Smith & Calvert, 2001, p. 9)

25. GLBT Elders - Strengths • Social advantage • Committed partner relationships • Coping skills • Family of choice • Gender role flexibility (Barranti & Cohen, 2000; Healy, 2002)

26. GLBT Elders - Solutions • Confront myths • Be proactive • Change practices and policies (Cummings & Galambos, 2004)

27. Homeless in Forsyth County - More than 500 on any given day - Elders (fifteen percent) (Kurtz, 2007) Homeless

28. Promoting Diversity • Inside-out • Communicating • Outside the box • Effort

29. Promoting Diversity (Continued) • Impacts every person • Moral imperative • Right thing to do • Everyone’s responsibility • Solves problems

30. Thank You!

31. Althea Taylor-Jones, PhDGerontology Program Director Winston-Salem State University 601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive307 Coltrane HallWinston-Salem, NC 27110-0003(336) 750-3231 - Voicemail(336) 750-8650 - Facsimiletaylorjones@wssu.edu - E-Mail