Abstract
This paper is a reference for staff members working at
the three Davis County, Utah, Senior Citizen Centers to help them increase multiculturalism and reach out to minority groups.
It is a reference on how to help the white elderly who already use the Centers understand minorities and to help them overcome
stereotypes. It is also a guide to help staff members to informally counsel older white adults who may be fearful or resistant
to integration, and to assist in accessing licensed therapists when needed. Ethical Codes of Conduct for Human Services Workers
are used to help support the staffs in these endeavors.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Positive
Side of Cultural Diversity
Activities
That May Help Integration Efforts
Ethnic Holidays
Ethnic Poetry
Highlighting
the Achievements of Minority Members:
Games to Teach Multiculturalism
Ethnic Goods
Ethnic Speakers
Traditional Healing Arts
Training
for Center Staff Members
Cultural
Competence Training
Referrals
to Licensed Therapists
Using Nonlicensed
Workers
Codes of
Ethics
Conclusions
References
Counseling towards Integration of the Senior Citizen Centers of Davis County, Utah
Introduction
This paper advocates
an increase for multiculturalism at Davis County Senior Citizen Centers. However, it will concentrate mainly on counseling
older white individuals who may resist integration, or who may feel they need to drop out of activity if integration takes
place. “The most essential connection that we can actualize as humans is our connection to one another” (Bloch,
2004, p. 350).
According to the US Census Bureau (2000), demographic shifts are creating an increase in the population
of minority elderly throughout America. In response to those changes, and to be compliant with federal law, it is necessary
to increase racial and ethnic integration of the three Senior Citizen Centers of Davis County, Utah. It is critical to respect
the concerns of the older white population during integration. Plans must be formed to help individuals who may have difficulty
in accepting minority members and to help the majority members become more comfortable in extending invitations to all minority
elderly.
Davis County,
Utah, does not have a very diverse population, especially in the southern end of the county. Seniors who have lived most of
their lives in the same place likely have little experience with minority members. The transition to more diversity may be
difficult for them to accept in their already established Senior Citizen Centers. To help facilitate the transition to more
diversity, staff members at each center will need first to prepare themselves to accept minority elderly, and then to help
integration efforts among the white majority by assisting them in learning to accept minority persons. In doing so, staff
members must recognize that they are not licensed mental health therapists, but are the vanguard for questions or concerns
that patrons may raise.
The staff members
may find themselves in the position of counseling with minority persons to help them to feel welcome at the center, and to
feel that they can become an active part of the center. However, this paper will concentrate mainly on counseling older white
individuals who may resist integration, or who may feel they need to drop out of activity if integration takes place.
