Culture, Heritage, and Diversity in Older Adult Mental Health Care Paperback -

From the jacket flap

Culture, Heritage, and Diversity in Older Adult Mental Health Care was written in response to demographic changes in the United States and the need to educate clinicians to provide culturally competent care. The U.S. population is both expanding and getting older, and the older adult population is also becoming increasingly diverse because of trends in international migration, mortality, and childbearing. Research data indicate that a lack of culturally competent care leads to poor patient outcomes, poor adherence, and an increase in health disparities, and today's health care providers and organizations need to deliver services that meet the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of the patients whom they serve. This book is designed to inform these individuals and groups about the specific needs of different patient populations, educate them about evidence-based models of culturally competent health care services delivery, and train them in the skills needed to function in an increasingly diverse arena.

From appreciating the unique role of communication in obtaining a patient history to establishing a treatment plan for older adults with diverse life experiences, Culture, Heritage, and Diversity in Older Adult Mental Health Care supplies clinicians with the knowledge and skills they need to relate competently and compassionately to patients from a wide range of backgrounds.