Aging Hispanics are concerned they'll face both language and cultural barriers as they seek health care in their later years.
Associated Press-NORC Public Affairs Research Deputy Director Jennifer Benz said one of the big concerns of the Hispanic population, according to the poll, is long-term care.
"Roughly a quarter to 30 percent of Hispanic-Americans say that it would be moderately or very difficult to find an assisted living facility, a nursing home, a home health care aid that would be accommodating of their needs," she said.
Of those surveyed, 57 percent say they have already experienced a language or cultural barrier when trying to access healthcare. They also worry they won't be able to find an assisted living situation where staff will be able to speak Spanish or will know anything about their culture. Benz said that includes whether or not nursing homes will be able to provide the types of food they prefer, with staff that will respect their religious or spiritual beliefs.
The number Americans age 65 and older is expected to double by the year 2060, Benz said 70 percent of those people expected to need some sort of long-term care.
"This is a growing need in the country,” Benz said, “so making sure that we have resources available — especially to populations that are most vulnerable — is clearly important for the country moving forward.”
The poll also found Hispanics are concerned about their ability to pay for long-term care. Just 15 percent of Hispanics ages 40 and older feel confident they will be able to pay for the care they might need in the future.
Bonnie Petrie can be reached at bonnie@tpr.org or on Twitter @kbonniepetrie
