Cultural Considerations inDementia Care

Michael A. Pyles, Ph.D.

Virginia Commonwealth University

Introduction & OverviewIntroduction & Overview

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We are all products of our cultureproducts of our culture.

Our cultural heritage shapes our thoughts andaffects all aspects of our lives.

As a matter of fact, we learn how to givemeaning to our lives and our various pursuitsthrough our cultural heritagecultural heritage.

10/28/2009Michael A. Pyles, Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University

Introduction & OverviewIntroduction & Overview

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As a result of the rich cultural diversity thatexists in the world, it often is the case that thereare misunderstandings between people whenthey engage in activities that require them tocommunicate regularly and effectively. Thissituation often arises in caregiving becausecaregivers and care recipients often do not sharethe same cultural backgrounds.

10/28/2009Michael A. Pyles, Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University

Introduction & OverviewIntroduction & Overview

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In the next 15 minutes I will be sharingsome information that may be useful to bothmental health professionals and lay peoplewho are caregivers with regard to culturaldifferences and the challenges that theyoften present in care settings.

10/28/2009Michael A. Pyles, Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University

Introduction & OverviewIntroduction & Overview

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We will explorethe definitionsdefinitions ofa few important

terms andexplore therelevance of

these terms incare settings.

We will talk aboutthe nature andnature and

meaning of culturemeaning of culture ina general contextthat could apply to

dementia care or anycare setting.

We will explore an internetinternetresourceresource available to health

practitioners and laycaregivers that may assist

them in overcomingcommon challenges of

caregiving involving culturaldifferences between

caregivers and their carerecipients.

ObjectivesObjectives

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• Culture• Cultural Sensitivity• Cultural Competence• Cultural Humility

DEFINEDEFINE

• Own needs pertaining tocultural diversity usingan internet-basedassessment tool

IDENTIFYIDENTIFY

Following your completion of this webinar, you will be able to:

The Meaning of CultureThe Meaning of Culture

10/28/2009Michael A. Pyles, Ph.D. VirginiaCommonwealth University

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Definition

DefinitionDefinition

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Let’s begin by first defining cultureculture.

Here is a definition offered by the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture

10/28/2009Michael A. Pyles, Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University

The Meaning of CultureThe Meaning of Culture

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Now that we have anidea of what we meanwhen we use the wordcultureculture, let’s explorevarious perspectivesthat have been used tounderstand how peopleof different culturalbackgrounds mightapproach the culturaldiversity that they facein their daily lives (andparticularly incaregiving situations).

10/28/2009Michael A. Pyles, Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University

Perspectives for Understanding andPerspectives for Understanding andEmbracing DifferencesEmbracing Differences

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refers to one’s ability(willingness) to be awareof differences andacknowledge that peoplefrom different culturalbackgrounds couldlive/work/play togetherwithout conflict andnegative attitudes.

10/28/2009Michael A. Pyles, Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University

Perspectives for Understanding andPerspectives for Understanding andEmbracing DifferencesEmbracing Differences

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means having theability to provide careto persons withdiverse values, beliefs,and behaviors and totailor care delivery totheir social, cultural,and linguistic needs.

Perspectives for Understanding andPerspectives for Understanding andEmbracing DifferencesEmbracing Differences

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this term is particularlymeaningful in caresettings because ittranscends theboundaries suggested byprevious terms.

Perspectives for Understanding andPerspectives for Understanding andEmbracing DifferencesEmbracing Differences

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Tervalon and Murray-Garcia (1998) have definedcultural humility as a lifelife--long process oflong process ofselfself--reflection and selfreflection and self--critiquecritique.

Tervalon M, Murray-Garcia J. (1998). Cultural humility versus cultural competence: a criticaldistinction in defining physician training outcomes in multicultural education J Health Care PoorUnderserved, 9(2),117-25.

10/28/2009Michael A. Pyles, Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University

The CCHPAThe CCHPA –– An Internet ResourceAn Internet Resource

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I have found the following website to be veryhelpful as one begins to think about how theywill deal with the cultural diversity that they facein their everyday lives.

10/28/2009Michael A. Pyles, Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University

The Georgetown University Center forThe Georgetown University Center forChild and Human DevelopmentChild and Human Development

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The National Center for Cultural CompetenceNational Center for Cultural Competenceat Georgetown University has developed thiswebsite especially for use by health practitioners.However, I believe that it can also be used by laycaregivers or anyone interested in discoveringtheir capacity for handling the cultural diversitythat they face in their daily lives.

10/28/2009Michael A. Pyles, Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University

The Georgetown Center for Child and HumanThe Georgetown Center for Child and HumanDevelopment National Center for CulturalDevelopment National Center for CulturalCompetence (NCCC)Competence (NCCC)

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Once you are at the website, you will find a veryuseful tool developed by the NCCC that can bea starting point for individuals to assess theirown capacity for embracing cultural diversity inmany settings.

https://www4.georgetown.edu/uis/keybridge/keyform/form.cfm?formID=277

10/28/2009Michael A. Pyles, Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University