THRIVING DIVERSE ELDERS:EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
A VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
Across Minnesota’s aging services sector, opportunities for meaningful cultural engagement are abundant. Yet these rich connection points can go missed - embedded in social norms and traditions that you may not fully understand.
We don’t want people to let the fear of “getting it wrong” hold them back!
The Minnesota Diverse Elders Coalition held this cultural humility workshop to teach effective approaches to promote more authentic engagement and mutual respect from a panel of diverse elders and service providers representing Minnesota's Indigenous, LGBT, and East Indian communities.
Through the sharing of lived experiences, cultural norms, values, and diverse communication styles, attendees enhanced their ability to provide culturally responsive services and improve the experience of aging in the communities they support.
Contact adam@mnlcoa.org today to purchase the recording.
ACCESS THE RECORDING
PROGRAM BROCHURE
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Learn ways that diverse older adults may expect you to interact – including how verbal and non-verbal communications differ across cultures – and effective communication strategies to respond.
- Understand how to create environments that are more inclusive, welcoming and can lead to effective partnerships with diverse communities.
- Practice virtual exercises related to making eye contact, touching while talking, perceptions of silence, personal space, and topics that can be inappropriate to discuss.
CEUS
CEUs were emailed to all attendees on May 28, 2021. General certificates of attendance are available to all attendees. This program has been approved by the Minnesota Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports for 2.0 hours (#MN21-094). This program has been designed to meet the CEU approval criteria for the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging is an approved provider of continuing education by the Minnesota Board of Social Work. CEUS are available for Assisted Living managers. Participants may view the live session to earn a maximum of 2 CEUs.
CASE STUDIES
This Facilitation Guide includes case studies shared and used by our 15 guest facilitators in the breakout sessions following the panel discussion. It has been compiled for registered attendees to review and reflect on the discussions.
It includes unique case studies and questions featuring African American, Asian Immigrant, East Indian, Indigenous and LGBT communities.
HOSTS
ALANA WRIGHT
(she/her/hers)
Director of Equity and Operations
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging
SUZANNE MADISON
(she/her/hers)
ElderCare Development Partnership Program Coordinator
Trellis
PANELISTS
List of Services
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MANJU MARKANDAList Item 1
Community Elder
Retired
Mrs. Manju Markanda is a retired professional living in the twin cities metro area with her husband, who is a retired professor of math. She and her family have lived on/visited four continents. Manju has two daughters - one is a PhD in Psychology and as a mental health professional, passionately working with older adults and children in our community; the other daughter holds a MBA specializing in finance and strategy and is a senior consultant for a multi-billion dollar international conglomerate. Mrs. Markanda is actively engaged in the Asian Indian community initiatives with the Hindu temple and other local organizations to support the needs of older adults like her.
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SIPRA JHAList Item 2
Shelter Director
Asian Women United of Minnesota
Sipra Jha was born in India and lives in Minneapolis. She is currently the shelter Director at Asian Women United of Minnesota, an agency that is working towards ending domestic violence and promoting safe and healthy families in the API community. Sipra has been in this role at AWUM for more than a decade and has long been an advocate for women and children, both in her home country of India and in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. Being a keen student of Political Science, International law and Women’s studies, Sipra spent most of her early years in India doing active intervention, and in so doing always trying to bridge the gap between academia and activism. She has served on the boards of Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women - now Violence Free Minnesota and SEWA (Asian Indian Family Wellness Program).
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JOY RIVERAList Item 3
Elder Resources Coordinator
Division of Indian Work
Joy Rivera belongs to the Snipe Clan of the Seneka Nation Haudenosaunee People. She has more than 30 years of experience teaching in the Indigenous Community at the junior/senior high and adult levels of education. She has also served in the cancer health field as a Community Health Worker. Presently, Joy works for the Division of Indian Work as an Elder Resources Coordinator. She enjoys planning fun events for the kids in her family, fishing and Powwows.
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SHANAH REGGUINTIList Item 4
Director of Programs
Division of Indian Work
Shanah Regguinti from Leech Lake Anishinaabe and Oneida of Wisconsin is a
father of five wonderful children and grandfather to five wonderful young ones. He has been with the Division of Indian Work (DIW) for 11 years and served as the Director of Programs for four years. He is passionate about the Minneapolis American Indian Community. As a lifelong resident of the Minneapolis Native Community he knows the struggles firsthand and works daily to try to ease some of the problems his people face. He takes pride in their resiliency as a people and honors what his ancestors have gone through to ensure their survival by using his role as a DIW staff member as an avenue to give back to his people.
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MARSHA BERRY
Educator
Rainbow Health
Marsha received her Master’s degree in Education from Eastern Michigan University. She began her education career working with students with hearing loss. She provided education for professionals in long term care settings and at professional conferences for the Alzheimer’s Association MN-ND. She also offered education to people living with dementia and their support partners, the community and social service organizations. Marsha is a certified Alzheimer’s educator (CAEd). Most recently, she has developed and provided education for health care professionals that is focused on the issues and needs of LGBTQ older adults. Currently, she consults with Rainbow Health to offer that education.
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PAUL BLOM
Owner/CEO
Right at Home
A locally and nationally known speaker and advocate for the elderly and the LGBTQ community, Paul received his Bachelor of Arts from Luther College and coursework toward his Masters of Divinity at Wartburg Theological. Since 2001, Paul and his husband, Bob, have owned and operated Right at Home – In Home Care & Assistance for seniors in the Twin Cities. Paul was among the founding board members of Training to Serve - the curriculum to train senior service providers on the unique needs and barriers of the aging LGBT Community. In the community, Paul serves on the board of Rainbow Health, Minneapolis Area Senior Workers Association, co-chairs the annual Fall Aging Conference and is currently the chair of the board for Avenues for Youth.
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YOU!
This is a convening of leaders from around Minnesota! In our sessions, every participant will have an opportunity to volunteer insights, pose questions and share wisdom to advance our collective journey.