Module 3: Cultural Considerations in Geriatric Care The culturally competent nurse knows how to take data obtained from the elderly patient and use the information to provide culturally sensitive and relevant care. Nurses need to be culturally aware, which is a dynamic, life-long process. The mission of the Transcultural Nursing Society (TCNS) is to enhance the quality of culturally congruent, competent, and equitable care resulting in improved health for all people. Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients are steadily increasing as the number of foreign-born immigrants increases and can hinder an adequate physical assessment. Healthcare organizations have an obligation to provide LEP patients with meaningful access to care with effective communication free of charge. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights considers inadequate interpretation as a form of discrimination (Mauk, 2018). According to Mauk (2018), asking a nontrained interpreter to interpret your healthcare activities can lead to risk management and possible litigation. Reference: Mauk, K. 92018). Gerontological nursing competencies for care (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. Websites offering information for aging adults in specific cultures are noted below for you to explore. National Asian Pacific Center on Aging https://www.napca.org/ National Caucus and Center on Black Aged https://ncba-aging.org/ National Center for Native Hawaiian Elders http://manoa.hawaii.edu/hakupuna/ National Hispanic Council on Aging https://nhcoa.org/ National Indian Council on Aging and Alaska Native Elders https://www.nicoa.org/ Reading Assignment: Linked resources in Module 3 Questions for Discussion forum #3 1. How does your cultural background impact your experiences in delivering care to elderly patients of different ethnicities? 2. Identify barriers to patient-centered care related to cultural diversity at your place of employment. 3. Post your answers supported by your personal experiences and evidence from the literature. Respond to at least one classmate’s forum post and cite at least two references. Refer to the grading rubric.
