by Supti Bhattacharya, Diversity Committee Co-chair
The following piece originally appeared in the April 2018 Diversity Committee Newsletter. To read the complete publication, click here. (https://tcms.njsba.com/personifyebusiness/Portals/0/NJSBA-PDF/miscellaneous/DiversityCmtv4n2April2018.pdf) To learn more about NJSBA diversity efforts, click here. (https://tcms.njsba.com/personifyebusiness/Diversity/OfficeofDiversityandInclusion.aspx)
The work we do with diversity and inclusion reaches all aspects of our lives, not just our professional world. Until now, I focused primarily on how integrating people’s differences impacts my work environment and client services. I live a life of diversity and inclusion daily by virtue of being a woman of color, and I did not previously consider how diversity and inclusion efforts and initiatives impact my personal environment. Recent experiences have changed that viewpoint.
My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia a few years ago, and she shifted to late stages recently. One day, she just disappeared into her mind. My family had to make the very difficult decision of whether to provide full-time in-home care, which can be isolating but more personal and culturally sensitive, or move her to a memory care facility that meets her medical needs but comes with many drawbacks due to the lack of personalization, especially for people of color or non-American/Christian background.
I asked many questions at the several facilities I toured for my mother. Each facility talked about customer care and tailoring services to each resident’s needs and personal background. I did not find the culturally individualized things I sought for my mother, however. I spoke with the directors of dining about adding Indian dishes to the menus, to add diverse flavor and because certain spices, like turmeric, are known to have healthful anti-inflammatory effects. In my daily life, living in New Jersey, most people I encounter have tried Indian food. Not in the world of elder care. Apparently not knowing the cuisine, they concluded that all of the food is spicy, so they cannot serve it. This was the uniform response. One chef said he tried a Moroccan recipe and it was spicy, so he decided to not deviate again from the “standard” menu he had created, adding that his menu was, in fact, culturally diverse because it contained Mediterranean items. When I pointed out that Moroccan and Indian food are different, he smiled and said, “Well you know, it’s all similar and spicy.”
I asked the directors of nursing if they would continue administering my mother’s homeopathic and Ayurvedic medications, which she is prescribed by her alternative medicine doctor. They said that unless the medication could be purchased through their pharmacy, they would not administer it. Even with a signed waiver as my mother’s healthcare proxy, nothing would be administered unless purchased through their pharmacy. In effect, my mother’s alternative medical care would be discontinued.
Millions of people are caring for aging parents, and those of diverse background face unique demands because of the rare availability of culturally sensitive services and care. Especially for those effected by memory illnesses, it is important to emphasize and maintain cultural traditions in their daily lives as they age, through things like food and entertainment, to maintain comfort and familiarity with their past. Diversity and inclusion in the context of memory care could dramatically benefit our elderly.
My personal journey through my mother’s illness and seeking a memory care facility for her has highlighted a problem that I never considered might be among the many layers of issues to address as she aged. It is a new challenge to overcome as our parents’ medical needs increase, and we must bring in external, non-family assistance. It is not an insurmountable problem; it is an opportunity to integrate the approaches to diversity and inclusion initiatives and efforts we are using to reshape and improve our professional environment.
Supti Bhattacharya is a partner in the family law practice group of Hill Wallack LLP’s Princeton office, and a trustee of the NJSBA. She is co-chair of the Association’s Diversity Committee.