The Office of Services to the Aging remains committeed to pursuing a high level of cultural competence, both within our organization and across the statewide spectrum of aging services. At the heart of our cultural competence strategic plan is an increasing awareness of diversity among people, and the role that "difference" plays in serving older citizens across the State of Michigan.

We recognize that, in today's world, there are many dimensions of diversity. The most often discussed relates to race and ethnicity. We are all aware that our society is becoming increasingly multi-cultural as immigrants and people of color continue to make up a larger and larger percentage of the population.

Ethnic or racial diversity is just part of the story, however. When we look closer, we see that diversity encompasses other elements, such as gender, national origin, spiritual practice, and physical/mental ability. And each of these elements poses unique needs and challenges in providing services as people age.

Join the Office of Services to the Aging in:

• recognizing and celebrating the differences that exist among people in our society;
• acknowledging those who are different from us, even though those differences may make us uncomfortable;
• recognizing barriers that prevent older people from accessing aging services in Michigan; and
• broadening our personal assumptions about "difference" by increasing awareness.

These links contain valuable information that is sure to enhance your knowledge about diversity issues that are so relevant to our changing world.

General

• Administration on Aging, Addressing Diversity
• NASUA, National Aging I&R Support Center
• N4A Diversity Advancement Toolkit
• U.S. Census Bureau

African American

• Medline Plus, African American Health
• National Caucus and Center for the Black Aged.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "A Statistical Profile of Black Older Americans Aged 65+
• Alzheimer's Association, "African Americans and Alzheimer's Disease

American Indian

• Michigan Indian Elders Association
• Michigan Department of Human Services
• Centers For Disease Control, American Indian & Alaska Native Populations
• "American Indian Grandparents Parenting Their Grandchildren in Michigan," MSU, School of Social Work
• Medline Plus, Native American Health

Arab American

• PBS Caught in the Crossfire: Arab Americans
• Arab American National Museum
• Arab Detroit
• Arab American Market, Demographics

• Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Social Security Online
• Centers for Disease Control, Asian American Populations
• Medline Plus, Asian American Health
• University of California, Berkeley, Minority Modules

Hispanic American

• National Association for Hispanic Elderly
• Medline Plus, Hispanic American Health
• Centers for Disease Control, Hispanic or Latino Populations
• University of California, Berkeley, Minority Module
• "A Statistical Profile of Hispanic Older Americans Aged 65+, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• "Serving Our Hispanic American Elders", Administration on Aging

Refugee-Migrant

• Department of Human Services, Refugee Assistance Program
• Department of Health and Human Services, Migrant Services
• U.S. Department of State, Proposed Refugee Admission for FY 2007