abstract: 'An estimated 10.5 million undocumented immigrants reside in the U.S.;

  10\% are 55 and older. Undocumented older adults do not qualify for

  Medicaid or Social Security benefits even though many pay taxes. The

  study examines undocumented older adults'' perceptions on their health

  status and their experiences in accessing health care. In-depth

  semi-structured interviews were used to facilitate dialogue with

  undocumented older adults (N = 30) ages 55-63 (M = 61.67, SD = 5.50).

  Most of the participants were Mexican (n = 26, 87\%) and had lived in

  the U.S. on average 21 years (SD = 8.78). A constant comparative

  approach was used while completing initial, focused, and axial coding.

  Participants were classified into a five-group typology that captures

  the intersection of perceived health status/need and access to health

  care; (1) High need, with access to care; (2) High need, with ambiguous

  access; (3) Undiagnosed need, with no access; (4) Perceived healthy

  status, with no access; (5) Healthy status, with access to care.

  Participants who reported high health needs experienced a range of

  chronic and degenerative health conditions. Participants accessed care

  by paying-out-of-pocket (between \$100 and 300/visit for consultation,

  lab work, and medications). High need participants with ambiguous access

  have been able to access care through permanently residing under color

  of law status or Medically Indigent Services Programs; access is

  uncertain given their undocumented status and changes in policies.

  Participants faced multiple barriers to accessing health care-mainly

  high cost and documentation status. Limited access to care leads to

  several detrimental consequences such as debilitated health, emotional

  burden, and economic insecurity. Older undocumented adults are a

  vulnerable population that experience great health needs. The high cost

  for health care and limited access to care takes a toll on undocumented

  older adults. The findings highlight many opportunities for policy

  advocacy and practice with older undocumented adults.'
affiliation: 'Ayon, C (Corresponding Author), Univ Calif Riverside, Sch Publ Policy,
  900 Univ Way, Riverside, CA 92521 USA.

  Ayon, Cecilia; Lopez Torres, Andrea Sthepania, Univ Calif Riverside, Sch Publ Policy,
  900 Univ Way, Riverside, CA 92521 USA.

  Ramos Santiago, Jonathan, Univ Calif Berkeley, Sch Social Work, Berkeley, CA 94720
  USA.'
author: Ayon, Cecilia and Ramos Santiago, Jonathan and Lopez Torres, Andrea Sthepania
author-email: cayon@ucr.edu
author_list:
- family: Ayon
  given: Cecilia
- family: Ramos Santiago
  given: Jonathan
- family: Lopez Torres
  given: Andrea Sthepania
da: '2023-09-28'
doi: 10.1007/s10903-019-00966-7
earlyaccessdate: JAN 2020
eissn: 1557-1920
files: []
issn: 1557-1912
journal: JOURNAL OF IMMIGRANT AND MINORITY HEALTH
keywords: Undocumented; Older adults; Health; Health access
keywords-plus: 'IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT; LEGAL VIOLENCE; BARRIERS; QUALITY; JUSTICE;

  PROGRAM; RISK'
language: English
month: OCT
number: '5'
number-of-cited-references: '65'
pages: 996-1009
papis_id: 1039745708e2f176aad55e16401e63cd
ref: Ayon2020latinxundocumented
researcherid-numbers: Torres, Andrea/HLP-6166-2023
times-cited: '19'
title: Latinx Undocumented Older Adults, Health Needs and Access to Healthcare
type: Article
unique-id: WOS:000505365100002
usage-count-last-180-days: '0'
usage-count-since-2013: '10'
volume: '22'
web-of-science-categories: Public, Environmental \& Occupational Health
year: '2020'