Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives

Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) members have been focused on caring for vulnerable members of society since 1985. As an association with Ethical Principles for our members, we believe that all people, regardless of race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation deserve equal treatment.

Recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusion, ALCA has launched several initiatives and programs to foster a more inclusive and belonging environment, promoting diversity, equality, and accessibility for all.

There is much work to be done.

ALCA's founding members, all women, created an organization focused on helping older adults age well and with dignity. The ALCA Board works to continue to build on the efforts of our founding members, which has always upheld non-discrimination in our membership and in serving clients. We are aware of lack of diversity in our membership and we have taken concrete steps to begin working on changing this in a respectful and thoughtful manner.

Resources

Cultural Competency Assessment Tool

• There are a multitude of assessment tools Aging Life Care Managers® can use in working with clients. Including a tools focused on cultural competency brings in a level of sensitivity to diversity issues that members can demonstrate to potential clients.

Books

• Just Medicine: A Cure for Racial Inequality in American Health Care by Dayna Bowen Matthew
• The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health by Reeda Walker, PhD.
• The Multicultural Economy by Jeffrey Humphries. Calculates the consumer buying power—or total income after taxes—for minority markets in the U.S.: African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans
• Cross Cultural Selling For Dummies by Michael Soon Lee & Ralph R. Roberts
• Eldercare: The Essential Guide to Caring for Your Loved One and Yourself by Derrick McDaniel

Articles

• “Support to Aging Parents and Grown Children in Black and White Families.” Oxford Journals: The Gerontologist (41(4), 441-452. Fingerman, K.L, VanderDrift, L.E., Dottere, A.M., Birditt, K.S., and Zarit, S. H. (2011).
• “It’s Time to meet the needs of African American and Black caregivers”
• “Correcting and Dispelling the Myths About Diversity and Inclusion Hiring” - 4 Experts Weigh in

Websites

• Diverse Elders Coalition
• National Brain Health Center for African-Americans
• Mr. Eldercare 101 company website

Diversity & Inclusion Member Videos

Special Webinar: Caregiving and the Black Family

On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, in conjunction with Black History Month, the Aging Life Care Association continued its discussion around diversity issues. We kicked off 2021 with this free, public panel discussion where our experts discussed traditional caregiving roles many BIPOC families shoulder, explored how professional Aging Life Care Managers® can build trust with clients, and strategies to incorporate into their practices.

The work is not finished. We will continue to work towards more inclusivity and diversity in all the areas of our association.