Health care for the elderly in the Intercultural Health model of MASI-RAAN

Abstract

In order to help strengthen the care of elderly people from the indigenous and afrodescendant communities of the North Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua, framed in the Intercultural Health Model (MASI), a study was conducted in two Miskitu indigenous communities of Llano Norte and the Afrodescendant community of Bilwi, from July to November 2009. The methodology applied was through a focus group with the participation of 45 elders who expressed their feelings regarding the medical care they receive both from the traditional and western health system. The main causes that interfere with such care were identified, as well as the current situation of health services and the need to combine traditional medicine practices with western medicine in order to offer better alternatives and results in the health recovery, as an option to overcome the economic and cultural inaccessibility. The opinion of the regional health authorities is also seen, who agree on the need for new rules, policies and health programs related to geriatric care and cultural adequacy of the current programs. It is evident the almost total lack of geriatrics as a specialty to provide appropriate tools for the elders care, its pathologies related to aging and all its surroundings as an integral being who has made contributions to modern society, and therefore deserves recognition and respect of their rights to health according to their biological condition, to contribute to a successful aging.