Overview

The aging of the Latino population in the United States and in Mexico shares some of the common challenges associated with general population aging - the need to adequately manage chronic diseases, and to postpone or reduce functional limitations, mental and cognitive decline. However, there are additional challenges for the older Latino population in the United States that result from its fast growth and aging, lower socioeconomic status, lower health insurance coverage, legal status, language barriers and low health literacy. In addition, the relocation of the Latino population to new destination areas also imposes difficulties for these new communities that lack the infrastructure to provide adequate healthcare. Finally, since international immigration tends to split families, older Latinos may have to use multiple strategies to benefit from informal and formal care across borders. Movements across borders to obtain adequate care can be costly and stressful to all involved. However, the burden could be considerably reduced if the United States and Mexico could agree on policies focusing on health and care to older Latinos in both sides of the border.