The number of foreign born people 65 and older has grown from 2.7 million to 4.3 million since 1990. According to a U.S. Census Bureau survey, this segment of the senior population is expected to surge to 16 million by 2050, a trend worth watching as the U.S. population as a whole continues to age and move into senior living communities …
Other data highlights from the U.S. Census Bureau:
- About 16 percent of immigrant seniors lived below the poverty line in 2007, compared with 12 percent of native-born seniors.
- In California, one in nearly three seniors is now foreign born.
- Since 1990, the number of foreign-born people 65 and older has grown to represent 11 percent of the country’s recently arrived immigrants.
A recent issue of Assisted Living Executive featured a cover story on “The Many Cultures of Caring,” which examined how many senior living companies are finding creative way to customize care strategies and offerings to seniors from various racial, religious, and ethnic groups. For example, Chicago-based Brookdale Senior Living observes multicultural traditions through its “Celebrations” program, which incorporates dining, socializing, themed activities, events, and entertainment.
Because of the Celebrations program, directors of lifestyle programs for Brookdale Senior Living “have an opportunity to recognize and utilize residents’ cultural experiences for programs and events,” says Sara Terry, Brookdale’s vice president of Optimum Life, which administers Celebrations.
Continue the conversation about meeting the needs of residents with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Post your comments to ALFA’s blog, alfa-resource.org, or Assisted Living Executive’s Facebook page.
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