Aging, ethnicity, social support. A review--part 1.

The increasing diversity of the population of older adults is reflective of the worldwide demographic trends. These trends present nurses with special challenges in assessing and meeting the needs of ethnic elderly individuals. Nurses must be willing and capable of assessing the social support networks and beliefs of older adults from any ethnic group to plan and implement culturally sensitive care. The success of this care will be closely related to the extent to which nurses recognize and include existing support networks and individual preferences.