This document discusses how to move toward more culturally competent care. It defines culture and cultural competence. To achieve cultural competence, one must value diversity, acknowledge different ways of communicating and behaving across cultures, and have an understanding and tolerance of other cultures. The document then provides demographic statistics on the growing racial and ethnic diversity of the older American population, including the rates of chronic conditions reported among African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans. It emphasizes that the aging population is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse.

1. How Do We Move Toward More
Culturally Competent Care?
Sara Alemán, Ph.D., MSW
Clinical Geriatrics Interprofessional Symposium
University of California, San Diego
October 25, 2015
San Diego, CA.

2. Culture : The behaviors and beliefs
characteristic of a particular social,
ethnic, or age group.

4. This refers to a trait wherein a person
is able to coordinate, work, or interact
with other people that are of different
cultures and social backgrounds.

5.  Valuing diversity
includes acknowledging
the different ways in
which members of
various cultures
communicate, think and
behave and integrating
those differences in a
way that makes
underrepresented
members feel valued
and included within an
organization.

6.  Persons also need to
have the right kind of
attitude when it
comes to cultural
differences. A certain
degree of
understanding and
tolerance of other
cultures is essential in
order for one to
achieve cultural
competence.

7.  In 2013:
 There were 44.7 million people over the age of
65
 They are 14.1% of the population or 1:7
 This group has increased by 24.7% vs. 6.8% for
the under 65 group.

8.  There were 25.1 older women compared to
19.6 million older men (128:100)
 In 2014 African Americans numbered 4
million in the 65+ category and it is expected
that they will grow to 12 million by 2060.
 There were 8,582 African American
centenarians.

9. Their self-rated health declined with
age. During 2011-2013 27% of African
American over 65 rated their health
as good/excellent.
At age 85+ this declined to 18.5%.

10. Chronic Conditions that were
reported included:
Hypertension -85%
Diagnosed arthritis 51%
All types of heart disease 27%
Diagnosed diabetes 39%
Cancer 17%

11. In 2014 the Hispanic older population (of any race) was 3.6
million and is projected to grow to 21.5 million by 2060.
This group will grow to 22% of the Hispanic population by 2060
from the current 8%.
In 2014 there were 5,272 centenarians.
In 2011-2013, at age 65 30% of older Hispanics rated their health
as good/excellent. At age 85 this declined to 21%.

12. Chronic Conditions that were
reported included:
Hypertension – 75%
Diagnosed arthritis – 45%
All types of heart disease 25%
Diagnosed diabetes 27%
Cancer 12%

13. In 2014 the Asian older population was 1.9 million and is
projected to grow to 8.5 million by 2060.
By 2060 this group is projected to be 9% of the total
older population from the current 4%.
There are currently 3,039 centenarians.
In 2011-2013 at age 65 33% of older Asians reported their
health to be good/excellent. This figure declined to 14.5%
at age 85.

14. In 2014 the American Indian and Native
Alaskan population was 231,482 and is
projected to grow to 630,000 by 2060.
In 2014 there were 331 American Indian
and Native Alaskans who were
centenarians.

15. At age 65 24.5% of this group rated their
Health as good/excellent.
Data for the age of 85 is not available.
This group identified two frequently
occurring conditions.
Diagnosed arthritis – 57%
All types of heart disease – 25%

16. Chronic conditions that were
reported include:
Diagnosed arthritis – 36%
All types of heart disease – 24%
Cancer – 12%

17. Our older population is becoming more
racially and ethnically diverse. These
groups have increased from 6.3 million
in 2003 to9.5 million in 2013. This is 21.3
of all older adults.

18. Bibliography:
Dictionary.references.com
History.hanover.edu
U. S. Census Bureau and the
National Center for Health
Statistics as of September 30, 2015
U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, Administration
for Community Living