The Underutilization of Nursing Home Facilities by Mexican-American Elderly in the Southwest

Abstract

Experience has shown a significant underutilization of nursing care facilities by older Mexican-Americans. Explanation of this condition has been difficult since much of the literature has deemphasized the impact of racial and ethnic differences among the elderly. This study finds that culture is an important factor in nursing home use and suggests that policy aimed only at the manipulation of the microenvironment may continue to have limited success for this group.