NAVIGATING CULTURAL DIVERSITY PRESENTED BY: THE COALITION OF LIMITED ENGLISH SPEAKING ELDERLY

Michel de Montaigne ( )... French philosopher and essayist Michel de Montaigne ( )... French philosopher and essayist There never were in the world two opinions alike, no more than two hairs or grains; the most universal quality is diversity.

CLESE Mission To improve the lives of limited English speaking elderly by providing leadership, advocacy and education.

The only way most limited English speaking elderly receive services is through a provider that speaks their language and understands their culture. CLESE provides support and technical assistance to member agencies.

Ethnic groups in CLESE... Arab Afghan Assyrian Bhutanese Burmese Cambodian Chinese Cuban Ethiopian Ethnic Chinese from South East Asia Filipino Greek Haitian Herzegovinian Lithuanian Indian Japanese Korean Lao Mexican Pakistani Polish Puerto Rican Romanian Russian Serbo-Croatian Somali South and Central American Ukrainian Vietnamese

What is culture? Culture... PASSED DOWN FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT A way of life A product of collective memories and intellect The behaviors and beliefs of a particular group A way of life A product of collective memories and intellect The behaviors and beliefs of a particular group

The common theme throughout all these definitions is the description of culture as a dynamic, constantly evolving process. Culture is what we do and how we do it; culture is what we consider "normal" thinking and behavior. In other words, culture is assimilated from life by living.

Acculturation is the process of acquiring a second culture…language proficiency Assimilation is the process of replacing one's first culture with a second culture…become bicultural…abandoning their original culture Adaptation is the process of adjusting to living in accordance with social or cultural norms…basic survival skills in new culture Acculturation is the process of acquiring a second culture…language proficiency Assimilation is the process of replacing one's first culture with a second culture…become bicultural…abandoning their original culture Adaptation is the process of adjusting to living in accordance with social or cultural norms…basic survival skills in new culture

Language Religion Values Customs & Traditions Art & Literature Economic Systems Forms of Government Food Language Religion Values Customs & Traditions Art & Literature Economic Systems Forms of Government Food The Elements of Culture Include...

Cultural Competence is the willingness and ability of an individual or a system to value the importance of culture in the delivery of services to all members of the community…Empathy towards others… Culturally competent case manager values differences and is responsive to diversity at all levels of interaction with client. It is the continuous promotion of skills, practices and interactions to ensure that services are culturally responsive and competent. Cultural Competence is the willingness and ability of an individual or a system to value the importance of culture in the delivery of services to all members of the community…Empathy towards others… Culturally competent case manager values differences and is responsive to diversity at all levels of interaction with client. It is the continuous promotion of skills, practices and interactions to ensure that services are culturally responsive and competent.

The first step in becoming culturally competent is to possess capacities of genuine warmth and interest in cultural differences. From that flows compassion and respect for the struggles which immigrants and refugees face in a new society.

Individual Family Community Individual Family Community To understand how culture plays a role you must first understand how an individual/group views the role of:

Cultural beliefs and behaviors: demanding services or unwillingness to receive services Not understanding how the social service system works Cognitive decline Language Cultural beliefs and behaviors: demanding services or unwillingness to receive services Not understanding how the social service system works Cognitive decline Language Barriers to service

Limited English ability is a barrier in many ways... Older adults whom you speak with may have difficulty understanding what you are saying because of: Choice of words Speed Clarity and tone of voice Older adults whom you speak with may have difficulty understanding what you are saying because of: Choice of words Speed Clarity and tone of voice

Be patient Always use an independent interpreter Speak slowly and clearly - but you don’t need to shout Ask for clarification if you are uncertain if you understand a response Be patient Always use an independent interpreter Speak slowly and clearly - but you don’t need to shout Ask for clarification if you are uncertain if you understand a response Ways to overcome barriers

Avoid using idioms “no ifs ands or buts” Watch your use of jargon such as “do you get it?” Do not use acronyms such as “CCP” or “IDOA” Identify the most appropriate means of communication: phone, letter, possibly Avoid using idioms “no ifs ands or buts” Watch your use of jargon such as “do you get it?” Do not use acronyms such as “CCP” or “IDOA” Identify the most appropriate means of communication: phone, letter, possibly

People can only live fully by helping others to live... Cultures can only realize their further richness by honoring other traditions. Daisaku Ikeda

Latino and Chinese Cultures… Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States. As of 2012, Hispanics constitute 17% of the United States population, or 53 million people.

In 2012 there were more than 4 million Chinese people living in the US; Chinese make up 1.2% of the total US population, and they are the largest Asian ethnic group, comprising almost 25% of all Asian Americans. Despite their low birthrates, Chinese households tend to be larger due to the common practice of multiple generations and extended family living together In 2012 there were more than 4 million Chinese people living in the US; Chinese make up 1.2% of the total US population, and they are the largest Asian ethnic group, comprising almost 25% of all Asian Americans. Despite their low birthrates, Chinese households tend to be larger due to the common practice of multiple generations and extended family living together

Latinos in Illinois come from Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico (1, ), Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela

Other groups in the Asian community include: Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Thai, Laotians, Hmong and Cambodians; as well as those from South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

The majority of Chinese-Americans are from one of two nations: either from the mainland of China (People’s Republic of China) or Taiwan (Republic of China), an island nation only 75 miles from the Chinese mainland. People from both countries share a similar racial, ethnic and religious background. However, there are important language and cultural differences between those two. The majority of Chinese-Americans are from one of two nations: either from the mainland of China (People’s Republic of China) or Taiwan (Republic of China), an island nation only 75 miles from the Chinese mainland. People from both countries share a similar racial, ethnic and religious background. However, there are important language and cultural differences between those two.

Total population in Illinois as of July 1, 2013 was 12, Persons 65 years and older consisted of 13.5% of the total population; roughly 1, Total population in Illinois as of July 1, 2013 was 12, Persons 65 years and older consisted of 13.5% of the total population; roughly 1,

1 out of 10 older adults in Illinois were born in another country About 50,000 older adults in Illinois are Latinos About 10,000 older adults in Illinois are Chinese 1 out of 10 older adults in Illinois were born in another country About 50,000 older adults in Illinois are Latinos About 10,000 older adults in Illinois are Chinese

Discussion: A Latino and Chinese perspective

From the Latino perspective, the expectation is that the family will provide care; usually it is the oldest child, probably daughter. The needs of the older adult are important. Some 37% of Latino elders doesn’t speak English. From the Chinese perspective, the expectation is that care will be provided by the family, especially the oldest son. The needs of the older adult are subservient to the needs of the family. Some 39% of Chinese elders doesn’t speak English. From the Latino perspective, the expectation is that the family will provide care; usually it is the oldest child, probably daughter. The needs of the older adult are important. Some 37% of Latino elders doesn’t speak English. From the Chinese perspective, the expectation is that care will be provided by the family, especially the oldest son. The needs of the older adult are subservient to the needs of the family. Some 39% of Chinese elders doesn’t speak English.

How do they live? Describe the family composition of a typical Latino and Chinese home 7% of Latinos elderly live alone 34% of Latinos elderly rent 12% of Chinese elderly live alone 25 % of Chinese elderly rent

Age and income 35% of Chinese elderly are 75 years of age + 21% of Latino elderly are 75 years of age + 6% of Latino elderly receive SSI 12% of Chinese elderly receive SSI 35% of Chinese elderly are 75 years of age + 21% of Latino elderly are 75 years of age + 6% of Latino elderly receive SSI 12% of Chinese elderly receive SSI Share a story of how/why a typical older adult came to the United States

Education 82% of Latino elderly did not finish high school 44% of Chinese elderly did not finish high school 37% of Latino elderly have limited English ability (limited means that they do not speak English well or at all) 39% of Chinese elderly have limited English ability 82% of Latino elderly did not finish high school 44% of Chinese elderly did not finish high school 37% of Latino elderly have limited English ability (limited means that they do not speak English well or at all) 39% of Chinese elderly have limited English ability How do language and education impact ability to integrate into the social services system in the U.S.?

Family Dynamics The acculturation is central in the multigenerational Latino family. Social adaptation, gender role flexibility, movement of women into the labor force, increased vulnerability to marital disruption – more typical after the immigration to the U.S. The familism still strong defined as face-to-face interaction or supporting behaviors and it remains a more typical feature of Hispanic families. Twenty percent of the world's population lives in the People's Republic of China. The percentage of three-generation family households increased dramatically since 2000 in China. Such change, however, does not mean that Chinese families are returning to the more traditional structure. Older people live with married child. The family transformation in contemporary China was caused by the tremendous fertility decline and by significant changes in social attitudes and economic mobility. The acculturation is central in the multigenerational Latino family. Social adaptation, gender role flexibility, movement of women into the labor force, increased vulnerability to marital disruption – more typical after the immigration to the U.S. The familism still strong defined as face-to-face interaction or supporting behaviors and it remains a more typical feature of Hispanic families. Twenty percent of the world's population lives in the People's Republic of China. The percentage of three-generation family households increased dramatically since 2000 in China. Such change, however, does not mean that Chinese families are returning to the more traditional structure. Older people live with married child. The family transformation in contemporary China was caused by the tremendous fertility decline and by significant changes in social attitudes and economic mobility. Describe the role of the older adult in the family

Hospitality In both cultures you will most likely be offered tea or some food In both cultures it is considered polite to accept it whether or not you choose to drink it or eat it In both cultures you will most likely be offered tea or some food In both cultures it is considered polite to accept it whether or not you choose to drink it or eat it Why is hospitality so important in your culture?