Older Russian immigrants to the USA

Stress as a result of immigration has contributed to physical illness and intergenerational conflicts among elderly Jewish Russian immigrants. Most speak only Russian and suffer from disabilities, isolation and lack of understanding of US health services. The authors explore the psychological and social factors affecting their use of health services, and address implications for social workers and health care professionals, concluding that the educational process needs to be directed to immigrants when they are first introduced to US health and social institutions.