Functional Capacity of Hispanic Elderly Immigrants

Abstract

The OARS methodology was used to assess functional capacity in 152 noninstitutionalized Hispanic elderly immigrants. Their economic resources were the most impaired of any functional dimension. Only half of the sample wasfunctioning well in mental health. Although there were no significant gender differences on social resources there were significant differences in economic resources, mental health, physical health, and ADL. Education was predictive of better social and economic resources. Younger people had significantly better function on physical health and ADL. I discuss cultural interpretation of the findings and examine strategies for practice.