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25: Diversity, Culture, Ethnicity, and Long-Term Care Facilities

DOI:

10.1891/9780826182777.0025

Abstract

Social workers need to be sensitive to the ethnic and cultural minorities who both work and live in the nursing facility setting. Knowledge, information, and cultural humility about diverse groups can assist in forming positive, supportive relationships. Cultural humility is a way of viewing the understanding of culture as being more than a simple master of certain beliefs or “facts” about a particular culture. By being sensitive to other cultures, the social worker who uses cultural humility is aware of beliefs, values, and biases that are brought to each resident/family encounter. This self-reflection and self-critique help one maintain humility, an important factor in communicating empathy and interest in the well-being of the resident and family. Social workers are particularly well positioned to help by continue to endeavor to learn, to build partnerships with residents and families, and to respect all differences. Through being aware of their own biases, striving to be culturally sensitive, and utilizing knowledgeable approaches, social workers can promote effective healthcare for diverse populations.