Show Think about your typical day. What do you see around you? Most likely, you will see people of all ages, ethnicities and cultures. People speaking different languages, dressing in different kinds of clothing, eating different kinds of food. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, our population is becoming more diverse every day. The population of all race and ethnic groups, except for the non-Hispanic white alone group, grew exponentially between 2016-2017. And today, the Hispanic population consists of about 59 million people, the African American population about 47 million, the Asian population about 22 million, the American Indian or Alaska Native population about 7 million and the Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander population about 2 million. That’s more than 90 million people around us who have unique experiences and perspectives. As these numbers keep growing, it’s important that we not only understand cultural differences, but embrace them. Use these tips from the American Psychological Association to be more culturally aware:
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This is one of many free activities.
In today's world, with an ever-expanding demographic of residents entering long term care homes, it is critical to develop strategies that promote diversity and inclusion. Cultural diversity has many dimensions; language, race, religious beliefs, ethnicity, etc. To support cultural diversity, care homes need what is known as cultural competence. Cultural Competence is defined as a set of behaviors, attitudes, and practices that equip healthcare providers with the knowledge to deliver culturally appropriate care. It is so important to foster a workforce that is free of prejudice, bias, and stereotyping. Two Essentials of Cultural CompetenceCultural competence is developed over time and includes self-awareness, guidance, training and experience. Embracing cultural diversity and promoting inclusion are two aspects of cultural competence. Embracing cultural diversity means appreciating the differences in individuals from a variety of cultural and ethnic groups within an organization. Inclusion refers to the right of those groups to participate and have equity in all aspects of life. A culture that celebrates cultural diversity & promotes inclusion must be interwoven into the framework of your facility's culture so that all residents feel like they belong. Residents must feel valued, respected, and unafraid to bring their backgrounds and perspectives to light. Why Cultural Competence is ImportantUnfortunately, studies indicate that there is often a disparity in the provision of quality care to residents from diverse cultural backgrounds. The reasons for these discrepancies vary from differences in beliefs and practices, language barriers, non-adherence to treatments, differences in lifestyle, thinking style, philosophy of life and other traits. Unchallenged, this gap can lead to:
How to Create a Culture of InclusionStaff can promote inclusion by being aware of the cultures represented in their organization and:
Activity Program calendars should include cultural activities throughout the year. Celebrating and sharing food, music, and humour is one of the best ways to promote goodwill and tolerance. Remember that you are there to integrate clients into your community. ‘Fitting-in' is important for everyone. Don't assume or generalize about how a client should behave without regard for individual differences and unique circumstances. 10 Tips for Embracing Cultural Diversity in Your Workplace
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These are some examples of culturally appropriate care, including many we've seen when we've carried out inspections. There are many different aspects and variations in culture. Providing care should always be based on an assessment of individual needs. It's important to:
This is only a selection of examples. It aims to help you think about different ways culture might affect care. You may be able to think of many more examples of your own.
Helping people keep up religious or spiritual practice can be important to their wellbeing. These are some of the ways you can help people practise their beliefs.
What people wear is a very individual thing. It varies from person to person - and day to day. It's important to give people a choice of what to wear, and listen to them and their families.
Even in the pandemic, you can bring communities into your setting - instead of taking people out into the community. For example you can:
When the government lifts restrictions, think about:
Cultural values can affect communication in many ways.
Some people living with dementia revisit memories that are specific to their culture. It might be something that makes them upset, even if you're unaware of it. It's best to talk to the person and their family so you can support them.
Understanding people's wishes at the end of their life is always important. It can be particularly important if the person using the service and staff do not share the same culture.
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