title: Puerto Rican elders' knowledge and use of community-based long-term care services.
abstract: We conducted 3 focus groups with 28 Spanish-speaking Puerto Rican elders to explore their knowledge and use of community-based long-term care services, including an exploration of whether their residential setting influences access to services. Analysis revealed themes relating to participants' difficulties and frustrations with formal services. A major theme was a reliance on formal services, given a lack of reliable familial help. Elders living in Latino senior housing reported the greatest access to services, with availability of Spanish-speaking housing staff and informal support from neighbors serving as critical components of their social networks. Practice and policy recommendations are provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
authors.forename: Mariana T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Guzzardo
authors.forename: Nancy W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Sheehan
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001364:Awareness; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D016852:Housing for the Elderly; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000208:ethnology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012944:Social Support; D012946:Social Welfare / Q000208:ethnology*