Table 3 Perceived barriers to access health care for aging Latinos

Individual level:

• Inability to speak English

• Low educational levels

• Lack of health literacy

• Lack of private transportation

• Inability to obtain a driver’s license

• Low incomes

• Lack of health insurance

• Undocumented status and inability to qualify for services

• Lack of knowledge about eligibility requirements for different services

• Lack of telephones making patient follow-up difficult

• Lack of family support

Systems level:

• Limited hours of operation at health facilities

• Shortage of primary care providers

• Long delays in obtaining appointments

• Lack of Spanish-speaking personnel in health agencies

• Discrimination due to lack of cultural sensitivity

• Lack of public transportation in rural areas

• Undocumented status and inability to qualify for services

• Lack of information in Spanish on services available to aging adults

• Expensive fees for service

• Agencies with limited budgets must target state and federal priorities

• Ongoing budget cuts limit hiring of bilingual staff or translation services

• Competition at the local level between agencies for resources

• Lack of community partnerships to assist Latinos