This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and United Health Foundation.
However, all opinions expressed are my own.
Despite that fact that I’m in my early 30’s and with a young family (husband, teen, identical preschool twins), my parents are considered elderly. My mother gave birth to me after she was in her late 30’s/close to 40 and I am the youngest of 4 siblings. My siblings are 16, 15, and 12 years older than me and I’m the only one that lives in a neighboring community to my parents so much of the overseeing caretaker role and responsibilities has been designated to myself and my family.
I have two very dynamic parents who during the course of their lives have broken many statistical stereotypes, personally and professionally. My parents are two people who have never relied on others and have been guided by an incredible work ethic and faith. My father, though 11 years older than my mother, is in better physical health and condition than my mother. Having lived in New York City most of our lives, my father loves to walk, is not a sweet eater, has always taken vitamins and organic medicine, and still drinks many glasses of water everyday.
My mother, though younger than my father, has been plagued with illnesses late in her life, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney failure which led to her being on dialysis. Recently, my mother was hospitalized twice (and almost died) due to severe complications from her dialysis and heart issues which caused her to be in medical facilities for a 2 month period.
According to the UHF America’s Health Rankings Senior Report, Hispanic older adults are expected to become the largest racial/ethnic minority of those aged 65 and older by 2019. Now is a critical time to study senior health at the population level because we know that America’s senior population will grow by more than 50 percent in the next 15 years and that Americans are living longer but sicker lives. Older Hispanics (28.2%) were less likely to rate their health as excellent or very good than were older Whites (42.8%) or older Asians (35.3%).
After residing and working most of our lives in the New York and Washington D.C. areas, my parents and my family have moved to Florida within the past 3 – 4 years. In 2010, 71% of Hispanic persons aged 65 and over resided in four states: California (26.9%); Texas (19.2%); Florida (15.7%); and New York (9.0%). Hispanics, (& other ethnic groups) are known for caring for their elderly parents within their family.
In Latino countries, it is common to find a Abuela (grandmother) or an Abuelo (grandfather) or both living with their adult children and their families. The family structure of living with older parents has been a model for many Latino families with grandparents, if they are physically able to, assisting in the care of their grandchildren. The expectancy of caring for elderly parents (or a family member) is well established within the Hispanic community with the majority of the care responsibility belonging to the Hispanic daughter (and mother of her own her family). “…an estimated 8 million Latino baby boomers, is a part of a “sandwich generation” taking care of both elderly parents and children. They’re toggling between two cultures, two sets of expectations, as they face the difficult question of how to take care of their aging parents at a time of changing demographic and economic realities…” (What to Do with Abuelita Challenges Traditions, Wallet).
My mother’s illnesses has been a scare for me. Due to my mother’s history and genetics, I’m at a higher risk to get diabetes, chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol than the average person. My husband’s family suffers from heart disease, with many of his family members succumbing to it. I’m a second generation Hispanic American so I do cook American dishes, but I also create typical Hispanic foods. Many Hispanic recipes are rich and delicious, but high in salt and sugar. I realized that in order to combat predisposed genetic illnesses, I would need to incorporate exercise and healthy eating habits.
For me to have the physical strength and acute mental capacity to balance my parents’ care and the needs of my growing family, I would have to put my health in a higher priority. (As a woman and mother, trying to put your own needs and health first above others is something that is quite difficult – we are used to caring for everyone else). I have cut back on the sugar and salt intake (including when cooking), my family and I are all taking daily multi-vitamins, and have recently started taking family walks for exercising. Though these are just a few small steps, every step counts does bring me closer to incorporating a healthy living lifestyle.
For information about the America’s Health Rankings Senior Report visit www.americashealthrankings.com/senior
For more information about Latino health visit www.UHCLatino.com
Stay Active and Love Your Parents!
Disclosure: This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and United Health Foundation.However, all opinions expressed are my own.
