Health and mental health perspectives on elderly Latinos in the United States

(from the chapter) The influence of culture and ethnicity on the aging process receives considerable attention in the field of gerontology and related disciplines. From this perspective, Latino aging can be viewed as a phenomenological experience, best understood as a complex interplay of biological, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual constructs. This chapter examines the essence of old age in the U.S. Latino community. It provides an overview of the demographic profile of elderly Latinos/as, health and mental health disparities, barriers to good-quality care and family caregiving, and the significance of culture in understanding ethnocultural patterns and behaviors necessary for culturally competent practice with elderly Latinos/as. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).