Running head: OLDER ADULT COMMUNITY

Cultural Immersion: Older Adult Community

Whitney Reyes
Georgia State University

CULTURAL IMMERSION: OLDER ADULT COMMUNITY

Abstract
This paper will discuss a cultural plunge exposure to the older adult community by
interviewing an older adult who is in their early sixtys. A life journey, full of struggle, to
older adulthood, will be shared. The purpose of this paper is to immerse with an older
adult, to establish cultural competence among members of the older adult community.

CULTURAL IMMERSION: OLDER ADULT COMMUNITY

Introduction
By 2030 the number of Americans aged 65 or older will exceed 70 million, or
20% of the population (Freedman and Spillman, 2014, p. 510). With the growing
population of older adults in the United States, having cultural competence as a social
worker is an important topic of concern. Interviewing an adult on their journey to older
adulthood helped one see the community of older adults in a whole different way.
Reflection of Feelings About the Group Prior to the Experience
From a personal perspective, becoming an older adult has always been viewed as
a dreadful event. One fears of growing old because many associate becoming ill and
dependent, and approaching death to aging (Butler, 2008). Advertisements and the media
regularly urge people to fight against looking older, which is an indicator of the negative
societal attitude toward growing old (Adams et al., 2013). One stereotypes older persons
of being cranky, forgetful, and dependent based on the medias portrayal of the older
adult community.
Exposure to the older adult community is common, but one does not get to
interact with this community very often. Having grandparents who live in a different
country can cause little interaction with older adults. Before the interview, one was only
sympathetic towards the older adult community when it came to the development of
diseases. Ageism allows the younger generation to see older people as different from
themselves; thus they suddenly cease to identify with their elders as human beings
(Lum, 2011, p. 473). To work sufficiently with the older adult community, one needs to
get rid of ageism ideals and beliefs.
Reflection of the Actual Experience
Interviewing a member of the older adult community helped one sympathize more
with older persons. Lilia Torres, the name of the older adult interviewed, shared her
personal story of immigrating to the United States from Mexico in the early seventys and
the obstacles of her aging process. Lilias mother died when she was seven, and her father
got remarried a shortly after her death. Lilia said her new stepmother was mentally
abusive towards her, and she felt neglected because she did not feel loved and cared. Lilia
and her siblings would sometimes result to begging for food in the streets. Lilia said she
immigrated to the United States in order to survive.
While interviewing Lilia, she mentioned that she has lived a long life full of
struggles, but she says she would not want it any other way. When asked about her
opinion on people who are young, she said that the younger generation tends to think that
they know more than the older people who have already experienced most things. When
asked what her opinion was on societys treatment towards the older community, she said
that society seems to view older persons as if they are useless and dependent. Lilia
mentioned that she thinks commercials and advertisements are to blame for the negative
perception of older persons. She said shes experienced ageist remarks towards her from
strangers and even from her grandchildren. She stated, My grandchildren make fun of

CULTURAL IMMERSION: OLDER ADULT COMMUNITY

me for not being able to see well, but thats a part of life. Everyone goes through changes
as they grow older.
Reflection of Feelings After the Experience
After interviewing Lilia, one had the opportunity recognize the oppression that is
in the older adult community. Society and the media have labeled aging as something that
should be frowned upon. Austin (2005) says, American culture glorifies youth, denies
death, and transforms aging into a medical condition (p. 474). The interview makes one
realize the many criticisms and stereotypes older persons have to deal with on a daily
basis. The media has a big part on the principals of ageism. Lilia said a quote that will
stick with one when working with members of the older adult community a social
worker; How I look now, you will become. And how you look now, I once was as well.
The quote is simple, but the meaning implies that everyone will go through the same
process of aging, and one should not be treated unjustly due to an older age.
Reflection to Increase Cultural Competency with this Group
Lilias story will make one realize that stereotyping and myths surrounding old
age are explained in part by a lack of knowledge and insufficient contact with a variety of
older people (Lum, 2011, p. 473). Studies show that by 2050, one in four people age 65
and older in the United States will be of minority descent (Yang and Levkoff, 2005).
Therefore, having cultural competence as a social worker is crucial. To increase cultural
competence, it is important to understand resources, such as the aging service network
and learn about policies towards older persons. Continuing to converse with older adults
will help one with skill development and overall help with becoming culturally
competent towards working with the older adult community in social work.
Conclusion
Interviewing Lilia Torres was an immersion with the older adult community. One
learned about the oppression of this community. Views of ageism emerge from what
people see and hear in the media. It is important to become culturally competent toward
the older adult community because statistics shows there will be a high population of
older persons in the future.

CULTURAL IMMERSION: OLDER ADULT COMMUNITY

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