Question

1. Are there any other practices noted that could potentially impact health care delivery in Hindu heritage culture?

2. What barriers do you think LTC providers would encounter in respecting these wishes in Hindu heritage culture?

Answer 1

1. Practices that could potentially impact health care delivery in Hindu heritage culture include the eating style among the people of this community. Since most of the Hindu's are vegetarian they generally lack vitamins such as Vitamin B 12 which is mainly found in animal products. According to researchers, 75% of Indians suffer from Vitamin deficiency.

2. The barriers the LTC providers would encounter in respecting these wishes of having a strictly vegetarian diet in Hindu heritage culture would impact the quality of care needed for the aged people of this community. For example, older adults need more calcium and vitamin D to help maintain bone health and this comes from animal products. Thus long-term care of the aged people of the Hindu community is a challenge.