Care
Page Hmong Elders’ Need of Socialization
and Attitudes Towards Services
To
help caregivers in Hmong families, it is important to know what their
elders may think about using community services. The following excerpts
from a focus group of Hmong elders may provide some useful insights:
Social Aspects
Housing needs to include an element of social interaction among seniors.
Many seniors express the feeling kho siab, which describes a deep emptiness
that longs to be filled. They usually express this feeling when they are
lonely. Contrary to the belief that Hmong families are large and that
there would always be a family member around, there was a number of elders
in the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) focus group study
who had no one. These individuals were either widows or they did not have
any children who lived nearby who could help them. Some elders left their
children in Laos. Elders in the focus group study were especially susceptible
to feeling kno siab.
Part of what made
them feel better was the opportunity to interact with other Hmong seniors
on a regular basis. Seniors said that they enjoyed gathering with other
Hmong elders to participate in recreation and conversation. It took their
mind off of their troubles, even if it is just joining in a simple game
of bingo.
“Even if
we have moaned all night because of illness, we look forward to coming
her [to the social service agency] to play BINGO. What is BINGO? It
is a way for us to think about our lives. We have headaches and emotional
pain, but with activities like that, we forget about those things. This
is the best day. Even before dawn, we are up preparing breakfast. I
have been coming here for 10 years, never missed a day, every week .
. .”
Services—Language
and Cultural Barriers
It is difficult to get Hmong seniors to talk about services because the
concept is outside some of their experiences at this time. Most of the
focus group participants could still take care of themselves. However,
home care and their receptivity to having someone come provide services,
such as grooming and housekeeping for them was briefly discussed.
The most important
factors in determining whether or not home care would be accepted were:
· Persons
providing care—A few Hmong seniors were interested in home care
but preferred their children to be their caretakers.
· Language and cultural competency of providers—Hmong seniors
are concerned that a provider who did not speak their language and understand
their culture would not be able to provide appropriate care. They would
not be able to communicate effectively with the seniors. For example,
if a senior wanted to request a certain type of food, he or she would
not have the language skills to communicate their wants and needs.
“Old people
like us do not know how to write; we can’t even speak the language
[English]. If a non-Hmong person comes, how would we communicate to
that person what we need to be done?’
Lack of English
skills is one of the most significant barriers for Hmong seniors. In the
focus groups, seniors talked the most about needing someone to help them
sort through the barrage of paperwork that they received in their mailboxes
every day.
“I feel
sad that I do not have children. Whenever something around the house
breaks, I don’t know how to fix it . . .. Each letter that arrives,
I have to call upon other people’s children and I have to wait
for weeks.
“If we
have worries, can you help us? Are you just asking us? We have worries
about language barriers; we can’t read or write; we can’t
go anywhere; we also can’t stay home all day. We have emotional
worries. In asking us these questions, how will you be able to help
us? The social service organization does help us, but . . . when I can’t
get a hold of them, then I can’t get what I need done . . . .Our
children have to take care of their own work . . ..”
Language barriers
cut across all discussions of the needs of Hmong seniors. They continue
to struggle with language barriers that prevent them from accessing necessary
services. For this reason, any services for them must be provided in the
Hmong language and providers need to understand their historical and cultural
background.
Excerpts from
and modification of: New Country, New Home: Exploring Housing Preferences
of Hmong Seniors, Focus Groups with Hmong Seniors and Adult Children,
Aging Initiative, Minnesota Department of Human Services, April 2000.
For the original publication, contact the Minnesota Department of Human
Services, 444 Lafayette Road North, Saint Paul, MN 55155. Information
Desk phone: 651-297-3933. www.dhs.state.mn.us
