NAVIGATING
CULTURAL
DIVERSITY & INTEGRATION
PRESENTED BY: THE COALITION OF LIMITED ENGLISH SPEAKING ELDERLY
There never were in the world two
opinions alike, no more than two hairs
or grains; the most universal quality is
diversity.
Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592)...
French philosopher and essayist
We all live with the objective of being
happy; our lives are all different and
yet the same.
Anne Frank
CLESE Mission
To improve the lives of limited
English speaking elderly by
providing advocacy, leadership
and education.
Ethnic groups in CLESE...
Arab
Afghan
Assyrian
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
Demographics
•
•
•
1 out of 10 older adults in Illinois were
born in another country
25,000 Older Adults in Illinois are
Russian
15,000 Older adults in Illinois are
Asian Indian
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
CULTURE
IS THE
WAY YOU
Think
Act
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Interact
The Elements of Culture
Include...
Language
Religion
Values
Customs & Traditions
Art & Literature
Economic Systems
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Forms of Government
Food
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squidoo.com
What lenses are you
looking through?
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.
To understand how culture plays a role you
must first understand how an
individual/group views the role of:
•
Individual
•
Family
•
Community
SELF
Authority
GROUP:
Family
Community
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•
•
From a Russian perspective, having lived under a
totalitarian regime, their expectations are that the
government will deliver services and be responsible
for providing care.
From an Asian Indian perspective, the expectation is
that care will be provided by the family. The needs of
the older adult are subservient to the needs of the
family.
Barriers to service
•
•
Cultural beliefs and behaviors: demanding services or
unwillingness to receive services
Not understanding how the social service system
works
•
Cognitive decline
•
Language
Limited English ability is a
barrier in many ways...
•
Choice of words
•
Speed
•
Clarity and tone of voice
Ways to overcome barriers
•
Be patient
•
Use a translator when necessary
•
Speak slowly and clearly - but you don’t need to shout
•
Ask for clarification if you are uncertain if you
understand a response
•
Avoid using idioms such as “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, email or letter
People can only live fully by
helping others to live... Cultures
can only realize their further
richness by honoring other
traditions.
Daisaku Ikeda
Discussion:
A Russian
and
Asian Indian perspective
How do they live?
•
33% of Russian elderly live alone
•
60% of Russians rent
•
•
4% of Asian Indian elderly live
alone
12% of Asian Indians rent
Describe the family composition of a typical
Russian/ Asian Indian home
Age and income
•
24% of LEP Asian Indians are 75 years of age +
•
41% of LEP Russians are 75 years of age +
•
14% of Asian Indians receive SSI
•
47% of Russians receive : It is higher because many
came as refugees
Share a story of how/why a typical older adult
came to the United States
Education
•
•
37% of Asian Indians did not finish high school
52% of Asian Indians have limited English
speaking ability
•
18% of Russians did not finish high school
•
15% of Russians have limited English ability
How do language and education impact ability
to integrate into the social services system in
the U.S.?
Family Dynamics
•
•
Communication among the members of the
Russian family may sound loud or agitated.
Despite loudness and strong emotion they are
not quarreling, just having a discussion.
Families tend to be dominated by the males and
you will be expected to talk to the husband first;
the older generation has a position of high
authority.
Describe the role of the older adult in the
family
Hospitality
•
•
•
In both cultures it is appropriate to ask if you
should remove your shoes.
In both cultures you will most likely be offered tea
In both cultures it is considered polite to accept
whether or not you choose to drink it
Why is hospitality so important in your
culture?