In-Home Care for Canada’s Korean Seniors

Demand for Korean-Speaking Caregivers in Home Care

Canadians of Korean origin make up one of the largest non-European ethnic groups in Canada after the Chinese, East Indian, Filipino, Jamaican, Vietnamese, and Lebanese populations. Most Korean Canadians live in urban centers such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton and Calgary with Ontario and British Columbia being areas of greatest concentration.

Korean tradition is that an adult child's duty is to care for aging parents. In Canada, families avoid placing a family member in a nursing home is because nursing homes do not have Korean speaking staff to communicate with or care for loved ones. For this reason, Korean seniors in Canada prefer to remain with and be cared for at home by their child(ren) where care expectations are clear, there are no cultural or language barriers, they get to enjoy home cooked Korean food, and socialize with friends and family at traditional Korean celebrations.

Studies have found that individuals with culturally competent caregivers experience fewer hospitalizations associated with age-related and chronic diseases such as diabetes or hypertension.

Caring for an aging, frail loved one at one when one is self-employed, a single, only child, or a small family with small children can be exhausting and lead to family caregiver burnout. Family caregiver burnout in the face of a nation-wide shortage of Korean speaking caregivers that is expected to continue will inevitably drive up the demand for and supply of in-home care for Korean Canadian seniors.

The Ideal Korean speaking caregiver will have knowledge of Korean culture and tradition, be compassionate and respectful of the elderly, speak at least Korean Seoul dialect and have a working knowledge of English to work with family members if needed. Key to the Korean speaking caregiver role is assisting the elderly with personal care and home duties such as being able to prepare and cook appetizing Korean food, and how to keep the Korean elder safe in their home if they have a medical condition.

The growing demand for Korean caregivers in nursing homes across Canada creates rewarding and lucrative career opportunities for skilled Korean caregivers interested in providing in-home care to Korean seniors who want to remain in their traditional family home with their families. Skilled Korean speaking caregivers trained in Korea or international Korean students studying to become a personal support worker through a Canadian college should have little problems obtaining sponsorship from traditional Korean Canadian families willing to support their application for permanent Canadian residency.

Cultural Competence of Korean-Speaking Home Care Workers

Korean caregivers familiar with both South and North Korean cultures are well positioned to provide care to Korean Canadian seniors. Language proficiency in South and/or North Korean language, good interpersonal and communication skills, having an appreciation of Korean culture, traditions and values, is essential to building trust and rapport with Korean elderly. Demonstrating filial piety and respect involves observing proper manners, such as bowing when greeting a senior, using formal language when addressing them and maintaining eye contact.

Finding a skilled Korean speaking caregiver will provide Korean family caregivers with peace of mind and the comfort of knowing that their aging Korean parents are receiving professional compassionate care respectful of their Korean background and values.

Korean Canadian families have a preference toward caregivers who can speak Korean language, the native and official language of both North and South Korea. Seoul dialect is most commonly spoken by Korean Canadian seniors as most of them are originally from South Korea,

Seoul dialect is a South Korean dialect characterized by its rich vocabulary and emphasis on honorifics when addressing people with authority or respect. Seoul dialect also known as Gyeonnggi is spoken in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, Incheon, Kaeson, Kaepung and North Korea’s Chanpung region. It is typically used in formal settings, while informal conversations are usually conducted in the Phyong'yang dialect. Other South Korean dialects are Gyeongsang, Chungcheong, Jeolla, and Jeju named after the provincial regions they are spoken in. Korean seniors in Canada from North Korea speak the Phyong’yang dialect. This dialect has a more relaxed tone than the Seoul dialect and often incorporates foreign loanwords into its speech patterns. Pyongyang dialects are Hamkyong, Pyongan, and Hwanghae named after the provincial regions they are spoken in.

Korean is not closely related to any other language, though scholars now think there is a distant genetic relationship to Japanese and have observed that some written Korean characters have been derived from Chinese characters. Korean Canadians who come from overseas Korean communities located in China and Japan may also have fluency in Chinese Mandarin or Japanese languages.

Cultural Perspectives of Koreans in Canada

Korean born caregivers bring the cultural lens needed to care for aging Korean Canadian seniors. The strong sense of duty and devotion, detail orientation, patience, compassion and attentiveness they have towards their own aging family members will inform the care they provide to their in-home Korean clients. The current shortage of Korean speaking caregivers in Canada could set the stage for a new wave of Korean immigrants wishing to take advantage of Canada’s study and work programs available to caregivers from South Korea. Like their Korean predecessors who came to Canada between the 1940’s and 1960’s in search of economic opportunities with the hope to build a better future for their families as skilled workers, professionals and business owners, Korean caregivers will be able to obtain a Canadian work permits to assist them to obtain the work requirements to support their applications for permanent residency in Canada. Canadian student visas are available to international students wishing to enroll in a Canada based home support training program. For Korean Canadian seniors, a wave of immigrant caregivers from Korea would provide the solution to allow them to remain and be cared for at home, whether it is their own home or in their child(ren)’s home.

Other Desirable Skills for Korean Speaking Caregivers

A Korean-speaking caregiver offers more than just language capabilities; they also bring a holistic understanding of the culture, customs, and values of Korean people. Korean speaking caregivers have the ability to communicate fluently with their Korean clients in their native dialects as well as English. They recognize that their emotional state can affect their non-verbal communication and their ability to empathize and understand their Korean client's needs. Non-verbal communication includes facial expressions, body language and gestures and Korean caregivers appreciate that a slight nod of the head or a smile can show understanding and acceptance of their client's feelings. They are sensitive to Korean role expectations concerning men and women – how each gender should behave and who is culturally appropriate to carry out specific household tasks. Concerning filial piety to the elderly, the Korean caregiver know to modify their communication style and approach to one of appropriate deference, proper speech, appropriate clothing and behaviour when interacting with the elderly client. Korean caregivers are also familiar with the religious practices observed by Korean clients. As many elderly Korean Canadians still observe traditional Buddhist or Confucian principles, caregivers must take into consideration any dietary restrictions and the need to regular escort a client to religious ceremonies.

Korean-friendly Care Plan Considerations

Common health conditions of elderly Korean Canadians include high blood pressure and risk of stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol leading to heart disease, arthritis, and back pain. Korean caregivers provide home care and personal support services to assist Korean elders cope with their health conditions such as personal hygiene assistance, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and companionship. They also understand the nuances of providing culturally sensitive care that is respectful of elders’ values and traditions and the importance of good ongoing communication with family members who are actively involved in the care of elderly loved ones.

Care plans should therefore include scheduled times for any medical treatments, therapies and medications along with any required safety precautions associated with a diagnosed health condition. Care plans should also identify activities of daily living routines, personal hygiene needs, and which activities the client will need assistance with. Korean elderly enjoy attending church, eating out at restaurants with family after church, and attending celebrations and family outings to cultural events. The care plan should indicate important dates such as birthdays, cultural and religious celebrations, their favorite Korean foods, specific dietary restrictions if Buddhist, and favorite store to shop for Korean groceries.

Finding Employment as a Korean Speaking Home Care Provider

Asian Caregivers is a values-focused company that was established with a mission to connect a caring community of Asian language caregivers with clients seeking at home care for themselves or loved ones. Asian Caregivers envisions its online platform www.asiancaregivers.ca will become the virtual meeting place of choice where sincere, reliable, trustworthy culture-sensitive caregivers can promote themselves and provide the best care to the elderly who have embraced the choice to live at home.

Asian Caregivers understands how important it is to pair Korean speaking home care workers with compatible Korean home care clients. To find a job as a Korean Speaking home care worker, personal support worker, or housekeeper join the Asian Caregivers online community. Please visit the Asian.

Сaregivers platform and register for free now! https://www.asiancaregivers.ca/register_caregivers?caregivers/1