Isolation, Language Barriers Separate Immigrant Elderly from Health Care Professionals

Newswise — Elderly immigrants and refugees suffer from low levels of health literacy. To determine the specific health literacy deficits and learn how to combat this problem, Temple University researchers and students evaluated Chinese, Hispanic, Russian and Korean elderly in Philadelphia. They found that the most significant barriers centered on isolation, language, powerlessness and health care access.

According to Rita Lourie, M.S.N., M.P.H., R.N., assistant professor of nursing at Temple University College of Health Professions, "Our results also revealed a knowledge deficit on the part of health care providers regarding culture and its impact on nutritional education."

The researchers plan to use their findings to improve health care for elderly immigrants. Other Temple nursing faculty who participated in the study are Cathy Curley, M.S.N., R.N., Patricia Dillon, D.N.Sc., and Kim Olsen, M.S.N.