Examined records of Puerto Rican/Hispanic patients (N=25) residing in, or discharged from, one nursing home and compared records to those of control group (N=50) admitted during same time. Found Puerto Rican/Hispanic group was younger with more disabilities. Suggests that Hispanic patients' families may not have been able to care for disabled…

Eighteen diverse Hispanic Americans aged 60 and over residing in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, a non-barrio environment, were questioned to ascertain the attitudes of elderly Hispanic Americans in the county toward nursing homes. A bilingual questionnaire, consisting of 17 questions, was used to collect demographic information, determine opinions of…

Describes the demographic trends and health risk factors of the growing elderly population, especially poor minorities. Suggests rethinking traditional hospital and nursing home roles in health care delivery to the elderly, expanding research concerns, reworking access to Medicaid, and ensuring health care to minorities. (CJS)