Facilitators and Barriers Influencing Healthcare-Seeking Behavior among Elderly Filipino Women in the United States

Written by Mary Dioise Ramos & Rita Mahmoud

doi: https://doi.org/10.13178/jnparr.2020.10.01.1003

Abstract

Background: The U.S. population is rapidly aging. Despite rapid increases in the population during the past decades, Filipinos remain one of the most poorly understood and neglected racial/ethnic minority groups. Utilization of healthcare, access, and assimilation in the United States healthcare delivery system can be very challenging for elderly minorities.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the facilitators of and barriers to elderly Filipino women’s healthcare-seeking behavior.

Methods: An interpretative phenomenology design was used in this research study to provide an in-depth understanding of elderly Filipino women’s experiences in seeking healthcare services. Six elderly Filipino women with ages ranged from 75 to 85 years (M = 80.3, SD = 3.33) were interviewed.

Results: Four themes emerged (a) family support; (b) faith and cultural understanding; (c) communication and feelings of intimidation; (d) healthcare insurance and financial concerns.

Conclusion: The study findings signal the need to create effective and appropriate strategies for increasing elderly Filipino women’s access to healthcare services that will improve their health outcomes.