May is Older Californians Month.  This year’s theme is “Flip the Script on Aging.”  It focuses on “transforming how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging. It encourages individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions” (ACL, 2025).

The Growing Impact of an Aging Population

According to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), approximately 57.8 million older adults aged 65 and older were living in the U.S. in 2022 (ACL, 2025). This represents approximately 17.3% of the total population, or roughly one in every six Americans. While many older adults remain active, continue to work beyond retirement, and can live independently, approximately seven million are accessing Long-Term Care (LTC) services such as in-home care, assisted living, or nursing homes (CMS, 2022). About one in three adults aged 85 and older resides in long-term residential care facilities (NCHS, 2020).

For older adults in LTC facilities, flipping the script involves creating a more inclusive and positive culture. As the population ages and the demand for LTC services increases, facilities must adopt inclusive practices to address older adults’ complex and diverse needs.

Mrs. Ko’s Story: When Cultural Needs Are Overlooked

For example, Mrs. Ko, a 79-year-old immigrant from Korea, resides in Daisy Assisted Living. She speaks limited English and primarily communicates in Korean. She enjoys Korean food when her family visits and brings her meals, although they do not visit often. Her care plan, meals, and activities are the same as those for English-speaking residents, and staff frequently misinterpret her silence or confusion as cognitive decline instead of recognizing a language barrier. When she attempts to express her discomfort or pain, staff misunderstand her cues or dismiss them entirely. Over time, Mrs. Ko becomes isolated, ceases participating in group activities, loses weight, and experiences worsening depression. In this situation, the facility failed to recognize that language, cultural preferences, and social context are key principles of inclusive care. These oversights can lead to health disparities, resident dissatisfaction, regulatory repercussions, and damage to the organization’s reputation.

What does inclusive care entail? The American Psychological Association (APA) defines inclusion as creating an environment that “offers affirmation, celebration, and appreciation of different approaches, styles, perspectives, and experiences.”

Core Components of Inclusive, Person-Centered Care

It is the comprehensive, person-centered approach that embraces and addresses the diverse physical, emotional, social, cultural, and cognitive needs of individuals receiving care. In LTC settings, this means:

• Ensuring equitable access to services for all residents regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, language, religion, socioeconomic status, or preferences.
• Acknowledging and respecting an individual’s identity, preferences, and experiences.
• Creating an environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to participate in decisions about their care.
• Increasing awareness and understanding about cultural humility, competency, and implicit biases through staff training and continuing education.

Practical Strategies for Facility Leaders

In the case of Mrs. Ko, the facility could have employed bilingual staff or offered culturally sensitive programming, such as Korean language classes or cooking workshops. LTC facility leaders and administrators are pivotal in fostering an inclusive care program. They can make a significant difference by developing an interdisciplinary care team that includes paraprofessionals from various disciplines, promoting and planning culturally relevant social and activity programs, and incorporating cultural dietary choices. Adopting a transitional care program for continuity of care as residents transfer between different care settings is another crucial step.

Furthermore, recognizing residents’ socioeconomic status and educational background and addressing social support services, such as providing transportation services, accommodating residents living with disabilities, facilitating social connections, and offering financial assistance, can create a more inclusive and empowering environment for all residents.

As the aging population increases, we must embrace inclusive, person-centered care. By fostering a culturally inclusive environment, we can significantly enhance resident and family satisfaction, reduce healthcare disparities, and provide more equitable, effective care. This continuous process requires commitment and dedication, but the benefits to residents and the organization are substantial.

Ready to Flip the Script on Aging in Your Care Setting?

Inclusive, person-centered care starts with informed and culturally competent professionals. CareerSmart Learning offers accredited continuing education courses designed to help healthcare professionals recognize and address cultural diversity, implicit bias, and the unique needs of older adults.

Explore our relevant courses:

Cultural Diversity and Cultural Competence in Healthcare (3.0 CE)

Cultural Sensitivity in Older Adult Care (4.0 CE)

Addressing Implicit Bias in Healthcare (2.0 CE)

Person-Centered Care: An Overview (1.0 CE)

Equip yourself and your team with the tools to deliver compassionate, culturally responsive care that meets the diverse needs of today’s older adults. Invest in education that makes a difference—start learning today.

References:

Administration for Community Living (ACL). 2023 Profile of Older Americans. Publications date, May 2024. https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/Profile%20of%20OA/ACL_ProfileOlderAmericans2023_508.pdf

Administration for Community Living (ACL). Older Americans Month 2025 Theme. 2/21/25. https://acl.gov/news-and-events/announcements/older-americans-month-2025-theme-flip-script-aging#:~:text=The%202025%20theme%2C%20Flip%20the,see%20what%20others%20are%20doing!

American Psychological Association (APA). Equity, diversity, and inclusion. https://www.apa.org/topics/equity-diversity-inclusion

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). (2022). Nursing Home Data Compendium. https://data.cms.gov/provider-data/topics/nursing-homes

National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). (2022). Long-Term Care Providers and Services Users in the United States, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nsltcp/2020_NS_LTSS_DataBrief508.pdf