Basic Guidelines
- Learn about other cultural groups and expect that those values and preferences may differ for subgroups, families, and individuals
- Know your own values and preferences
- Ask individuals what they value and prefer, and
- Treat individual values and preferences with respect
In trying to be culturally sensitive, caregivers need to be aware of and respectful of the cultural differences of their co-workers and clients.
Knowing one's own values and preferences and asking individuals to share their own will bring out important differences. Asking a client what he or she prefers will also help caregivers avoid a situation in which they are offering an inappropriate comfort simply because they value or prefer it. Being respectful of client values and preferences is important as well as being sensitive to how we interact and communicate with people whose cultures are different from own.