HISPANIC CAREGIVERS OF OLDER ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA - CULTURAL ISSUES IN OUTREACH AND INTERVENTION

Ethnic minorities particularly the elderly, have been noted to underut ilize health care services and programs. Recent studies have illustrat ed that Alzheimers's support services for Hispanic family caregivers a re needed and can be developed within Hispanic populations when ethnoc ultural factors are integrated into the outreach and intervention plan s. This paper provides background material on the issue of barriers to the utilization of services by Hispanics. Family members suggest meth ods for conducting culturally relevant outreach. A description of curr ently available intervention strategies is also provided, including re spite care, support groups, and psychoeducational classes.