PHE 661 Cultural Variations in Aging

The aging population includes an increasing percentage of people from a variety of ethnic groups. Although there may be cultural similarities between these groups and the dominant culture, there are also important differences, particularly in the role of the family in decision-making, attitudes and beliefs about illness, dying, and death. Students learn about cultural differences and similarities through observing programs that serve ethnic elders, talking with guest speakers who represent different ethnic communities, and reading several texts related to counseling, healthcare, and understanding grief, death, and dying in a variety of ethnic groups.