My Philosophy
As the aging population grows, it is likely that the number of people with dementia will also grow. I believe that it is vital for healthcare professionals to understand both the core issues of dementia itself and how best to serve and graciously be with those who are living with this condition.
People living with dementia are from complex and diverse cultural backgrounds. There is no doubt that culture plays an integral role related to our unique ways of being, thinking, and moving in the world. When talking about person-centered care, we must take culture into consideration, and more specifically, the culture that our clients identify with. Cultural humility is a necessary value and systemic practice for healthcare professionals to embody in order to serve people through an authentic lens of person-centered care.
My framework includes and prioritizes integrating elements such as person-centered dementia care*¹ which Tom Kitwood, a psycho-gerontologist, contributed to its development, and cultural humility*² introduced by Melanie Tervalon, MD and Jann Murray-Garcia, MD. My framework also focuses on introducing ideas/practice of cross-cultural perspectives, especially a sense of intersubjectivity between the carers and the cared for. Through my research and work, I’ve observed these values/practices embeded in Japanese caregiving and am passionate about supporting agencies and caregivers to integrate these compassionate practices into their work, further supporting people living with dementia. Cultural humility is a core framework that I work from, supporting agencies, hospitals, and caregivers to create and sustain a systemic practice of curiosity, compassion, and a much higher standard of care.
*¹ Kitwood, T. The concept of personhood and its relevance for a new culture of dementia care, in: C. Baldwin, A. Capstick (Eds.). Tom Kitwood on Dementia: A Reader and Critical Commentary. Berkshire, England: Open University Press; 2007, p. 223–232.
*² Tervalon M, Murray-Garcia J. Cultural humility versus cultural competence: a critical distinction in defining physician training outcomes in multicultural education. J Health Care Poor U 1998; 9(2):117–125
Services
For Family
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Care Consultation
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General Education regarding Alzheimer's and Other Dementias
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Emotional Support
For Organizations/Agencies
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Trainings, Workshops, and Presentations on:
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General Education regarding Alzheimer's and Other Dementias
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General Framework and Care Model of Person-Centered and Culturally Humble Dementia Care
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Cultural Humility (co-facilitator John Scott, PhD. morningstarmovement.org)
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Team Building
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Utilization of Creative Arts (drama, improvisation, expressive arts, etc.)
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Facilitation for a family support group
Testimonials
During a very difficult time caring for my father who was gravely ill and in hospice, Kumi provided comfort, guidance and counsel to myself and my family. Her knowledge and experience working with memory-challenged, dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, coupled with her studies and observations from her own personal experiences dealing with a family member who suffered from grave illness, gives Kumi uniquely suited skill sets to be effective in helping others who are in need of her services...
It was a pleasure working with Kumi. She always had great moral integrity and I knew she would advocate for our patients and would anticipate their needs. She was so proficient in evaluating and assessing. She was able to manage the continuum of care for each individual and go that extra mile to address their issues...