Communication Needs of the Ethnic Elderly in Hospitals and Nursing Homes

The ethnic elderly (over 65 years of age and speak little or no English) enter our health care system at their peril. Many ethnic elderly have lived with their families or in ethno-specific communities, which does not prepare them for health care they receive in a predominantly anglophone health care system. Their age and associate disabilities combined with communication barriers result in a double jeopardy for ethnic elders. Faced with the tension between the communication-needs of the ethnic elderly in health care institutions and the absence of services which take into account language and cultural barriers, there is a role for social workers in helping to define these needs though research and to advocate for change through participation in the policy formulation process.