Pennsylvania Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
As the country continues to struggle through this challenging economy, more families have no other option than to place their aging loved ones in a nursing home. Now a new study by Brown University shows that Latino families, known for their close family ties and dedication to caring for their families, are also feeling this pressure as elderly Hispanics are entering nursing homes at a growing rate.
According to an article on NBCLatino.com, the number of elderly Hispanics living in U.S. nursing homes rose by 54.9 percent from 1999 to 2008. Experts say the aging Hispanic/Latino population will grow more rapidly than other ethnic minority group by 2028.
“When care is centered around the residents’ needs, it makes it easier for us as Latinos to trust the care of our mom/dad to trained professionals especially knowing that we are allowed to be as involved as we want to be,” said Fanny Rodriguez, an administrator for the Country Villa Wilshire Nursing Home in Los Angeles.
As more Latinos enter nursing homes, more accomodations have to be made. In the article, Rodriguez notes that at her facility residents are given “resident centered care”. This can involved making a special ethnic meal that a resident might request. Also, several staff speak Spanish and communicate with residents in Spanish.
The article mentions that outside care-giving services have increased among Latinos in the past five years. Home care provider services are growing and are becoming a preferred option among families.
Finally, issues such as terminal illnesses play a part in whether a family can provide proper care for an elderly family member. Illnesses such as diabetes, dementia, and other chronic and terminal illnesses are rising in Hispanic communities. Some illnesses require 24/7 care, which some families cannot provide.
No matter what our race or ethnicity may be, we all want the same thing for our aging loved ones: peace of mind that they are being cared for in their last years of life. If you have a loved one who is in a skilled nursing facility and is not receiving the care they deserve, contact the nursing home abuse attorneys at O’Connor Law for a free review of your case.