In this segment learners will review basic Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging  terminology, which will lead to understanding service and care through the lens of the people you serve. Learners will identify possible ways our similarities, and our differences, impact the care we provide. You’ll learn how we all have layers to our identity that includes age, race, gender, religion, culture, sexual orientation, and many more factors, and learn how to honor each person for their unique identity.

Learners will begin to understand how our unconscious or implicit biases might lead us to unconsciously view people of certain identities differently. In this course learners will explore the two systems of thinking and how it impacts the way we categorize people and make assumptions about them. Participants will also review common biases, driven by stereotypes, that people, and society as a whole, make about older adults

In this segment, learners will begin to explore cultural awareness which requires that sensitivity to the differences between people, regardless of their shared backgrounds. Learners will be provided with a pathway and tools to understand more about the cultural backgrounds and current practices of the older adults they work with and how to connect on a deeper level. 

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Cultural humility takes this further and incorporates a lifelong commitment to learning about other people’s cultures. It’s an ongoing process of self-exploration combined with a willingness to learn from others.

Belonging grows from a feeling of connectedness with others, which is at the very heart of equity and inclusion. In this segment, learners will explore how ageism can show up implicitly, which is unconscious,  or explicitly, which is conscious, and some common bias behaviors when treating all older adults the same. 

Learners will also review three (3) categories of providing ethical care: 

1. Culturally sensitive standards of care
2. Legal protections, and
3. Compliance

Learners will explore how to provide effective, equitable, respectful, and quality care in a way that is responsive to diverse cultural beliefs and practices, which includes how to become more culturally aware, sensitive, and humble, so to make this concept easily digestible, we’d like to add a framework called the HUMBLE model.

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We’ve heard of intelligence that relates to our mental processing of information, but there is also a concept called emotional intelligence. In this segment, learners will identify ways to uncover the impact of their emotions and respond effectively to the actions and feelings of program participants. Learners will explore the 4 components of emotional intelligence:

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• Self-awareness
• Self-management
• Social awareness
• Relationship management

Learners will uncover strategies to minimize and manage the best way to deal with a conflict while showing they care, and want to reach a solution. Participants will also learn a practical approach to navigate and help resolve conflict in a way that focuses on finding a solution in an empathetic way using the LEAP method.