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Sharon A. Brangman, MD <\/p>\n While each person is unique and wonderful, no two bodies are the same\u2014and no two people will age in identical ways. That\u2019s one of the joys, and also one of the challenges, in caring for older adults.<\/p>\n Geriatrics, the healthcare field specialized in caring for older people, has given us great knowledge about the health issues commonly seen in older adults and guides how to provide high-quality care to aging Americans. Even so, we also know that there will be twists, turns, and uncharted destinations along every person\u2019s journey toward healthy aging. However, if older adults work in partnership with their healthcare team and family, life with quality is an attainable goal for all. In fact, that\u2019s one of the critical life lessons we can take away from National Minority Health Month<\/strong> this April.<\/p>\n What is National Minority Month? Ethnogeriatrics is about finding important intersections between ethnicity, aging, and health to provide high-quality care. A perfect example of this type of work is a new tool that the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) developed with AARP<\/strong><\/a> to help a specific group of older adults who are Chinese Americans better understand and drive their own well-being<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cChinese American Older Adults: A Guide to Managing Your Health\u201d<\/strong> Health concerns like hepatitis B, certain types of cancer, depression, tuberculosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some genetic diseases are common among Chinese Americans. Many of these conditions require not only expert care but also sensitivity to cultural norms that can help or hinder care depending on how they are addressed.<\/p>\n Based on expert-authored guidance from healthcare professionals who care for older Chinese Americans, the AGS guide offers simple, practical recommendations addressing these types of issues and opportunities head-on. These include suggestions for talking to healthcare providers about sensitive subjects like:<\/p>\n You may not be Chinese American and you may not be a member of a minority group, but that doesn\u2019t change how important it is to stay informed about your personal well-being, especially as you age. Engaging with <\/strong>HealthinAging.org<\/strong><\/a> is a great first step toward this goal, since this portal endorsed by expert geriatricians can give you excellent information about your health concerns and practical ways to address them. It\u2019s also important that you stay connected to the care professionals who know you<\/strong>\u2014and your health\u2014best. Geriatricians, nurses, pharmacists, and other providers are knowledgeable about the types of health problems you may face not only because of age or race, but also because of personal health and lifestyle choices.<\/p>\n Ultimately, ethnogeriatrics isn\u2019t about being different. Rather, it\u2019s about supporting who we are, what we need, and how we age as individuals<\/em>\u2014a joy and a challenge certainly worth remembering even after National Minority Health Month comes to a close! So, please stay connected with HealthinAging.org<\/strong><\/a>; we look forward to partnering with you to ensure that you receive the best care possible.<\/p>\n About the Authors<\/span> Sharon A. Brangman, MD Professor of Medicine Division Chief, Geriatrics SUNY Upstate Medical University VJ Periyakoil, MD Director, Stanford Successful Aging Program Clinical Associate Professor Stanford\u00a0University School of Medicine While each person is unique and wonderful, no two bodies … Continue reading ![\"VJ_Periyakoil\"](\"https:\/\/www.healthinaging.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/VJ_Periyakoil-e1429719642462.jpeg\")
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\n<\/strong>Professor of Medicine
\n<\/strong><\/span>Division Chief, Geriatrics<\/span>
\n<\/strong>SUNY Upstate Medical University<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nVJ Periyakoil, MD<\/strong><\/span>
\nDirector,
\nStanford Successful Aging Program<\/strong><\/span>
\nClinical Associate Professor<\/strong><\/span>
\nStanford\u00a0University School of Medicine<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>National Minority Health Month<\/a> helps raise awareness for disparities in health and care among specific groups of people known as minorities. Minority groups like American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanics\/Latinos, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders account for more than 35% of the U.S. population. Health and care aren\u2019t completely different from one of these groups to the next, but minority health experiences do help highlight how certain conditions, concerns, and challenges may impact some of us differently than others. That\u2019s an important distinction\u2014so important, in fact, that an entire field of geriatrics known as \u201cethnogeriatrics\u201d has developed around ways to provide culturally competent care to older adults from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds.<\/p>\n
\nThis free resource<\/a> highlights the most common health concerns in the Chinese American older adult community and ways that patients and caregivers can talk to healthcare providers about addressing them.<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/strong>Drs. Brangman and Periyakoil are the co-editors of Doorway Thoughts, 2nd edition,\u00a0upon which the\u00a0\u201cChinese American Older Adults: A Guide to Managing Your Health\u201d was based.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"