The importance of cultural sensitivity in long-term care

The WA Cares Fund is designed to help Washington workers receive the long-term care they need. About 70% of us will need long-term care at some point in our lives. To properly serve everyone, it’s important for caregivers and providers to offer culturally sensitive care so that people of all backgrounds feel safe, comfortable and respected when receiving long-term care.

Washington state is home to many organizations working to promote culturally sensitive care. The Goldsen Institute, a University of Washington institute that creates community programs and training courses to help people of all ages and backgrounds live healthy, fulfilling lives.

The Goldsen Institute has two training programs that teach cultural sensitivity to long-term care providers: Safe Home® and Safe Care®. The former is specific to long-term care facilities and the latter is open to all caregivers and long-term care providers.

Charlie, Project Director for Interventions and Training at The Goldsen Institute, said “The first learning goal [of both programs] is terminology specific to LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. Language is always evolving. Understanding cultural language is a way of showing respect and a way of promoting safety.”

Both programs also educate providers on the influences of stereotypes and unconscious bias, and the disparities in healthcare access in underserved communities.

“Equity is the perspective that we take,” said Charlie. “Equity is everybody gets what they need to achieve the best possible health and best possible care.”

Another resource is The Cross Cultural Health Care Program. They work to reduce barriers to healthcare and long-term care through programs that teach cultural competency and improve language access. CCHCP offers consulting services, bilingual medical glossaries and more resources for providers.

“We want to make sure cultural and language differences don’t impede the best outcomes for patients,” said Arigin, CCHCP Executive Director.

Arigin added that culturally competent care reduces misunderstandings between providers and patients and instead builds trust by focusing on person-centered care. For example, she recommended having medical interpreters available for patients with limited English proficiency.

“They ensure patients needs and concerns are accurately understood and ensure that all patients have the necessary information to make informed decisions about their care,” she explained.

Faye is the Community Wellness and Social Services Director for Kin On, a Seattle nonprofit that started as a bilingual Chinese-American nursing home that now offers many services and supports for older Asian adults.  

“Cultural competency is not about knowing everything about a particular culture,” Faye explained. “It is about being willing to listen, learn, respect different perspectives and avoid making assumptions.”

Faye spoke about how most Asian communities place a high value on caring for one’s parents as they age, but that this expectation can create stress and conflict when family members have different views on caregiving responsibilities. This is why Kin On offers family caregiver support and at-home care, training family members on how to support their loved ones and providing professional care assistants who can help older adults with daily tasks, transportation and personal hygiene.

“Supporting [family caregivers] also means helping them understand that asking for help does not mean they are failing their family,” she said. “Connecting caregivers with resources, support groups, education and other services can help reduce caregiver stress and remind them that they don’t have to carry the responsibility alone.”

Watch a replay of our webinar, Conversations: Caring across cultures, to learn more about these programs and how to practice culturally sensitive care.