As Detroit’s senior population grows, so does the demand for culturally competent care. Many Chinese Americans face unique challenges when it comes to caregiving. They face a lack of understanding of their cultural needs and language barriers that make it difficult to navigate the healthcare system.
The Association of Chinese Americans is playing a vital role in bridging these gaps in metro Detroit, and is providing support and services that respect the cultural traditions and languages of Chinese and Asian Pacific Americans. In response to the shortage of caregivers who speak Mandarin or Cantonese, the ACA has launched an initiative with Michigan State University professors to equip bilingual individuals with the skills they need to serve the community.
“One of the most pressing issues we face is the lack of Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking caregivers in both medical and elder care settings,” said Tao Liu, marketing and development associate for the Association of Chinese Americans. “This shortage is a barrier for many seniors, especially those who feel more comfortable in their native language and cultural context.”
In October, the ACA began offering an 80-hour training program designed to prepare bilingual individuals or family caregivers to provide high-quality, culturally sensitive care. The curriculum is delivered primarily in English. However, ACA supplements the training with materials in Mandarin and Cantonese, so that participants are fully equipped to engage with Chinese-American patients and families beyond medical needs.
The goal, Liu said, “is to train caregivers who can not only assist with daily activities but also connect with seniors in a way that respects their cultural values and traditions. This is about building trust and understanding in caregiving relationships.”
The partnership between ACA and MSU came out of feedback from the community. ACA conducted surveys and received numerous requests from families struggling to find suitable caregivers.
“It’s not just about filling a gap in the workforce,” Liu said. “It’s about creating a pipeline of culturally competent caregivers who can meet the specific needs of our community.”
For years, community members have relied on ACA for informal support, often calling for services such as translation and cultural guidance. This new initiative formalizes and expands that support into a structured, scalable program. While the initial focus is on Mandarin and Cantonese speakers, the program is designed to raise awareness and eventually grow to serve broader communities, enhancing the diversity of the caregiving workforce.
ACA’s vision is to provide a model of care that can be replicated, ensuring more seniors receive culturally sensitive support. Michigan State will develop the core curriculum, including everything from personal care techniques to communication strategies prioritizing respect for older adults. ACA supplements this curriculum with Mandarin and Cantonese caregiving terms.
“It’s not just about speaking the language. It’s also about understanding the cultural norms and expectations that guide how we care for our elders,” Liu said. “For example, many seniors are accustomed to having family members actively involved in their care. It’s crucial for caregivers to understand this dynamic and know how to work with families in a way that’s comfortable for them.”
The first cohort began in October. Participants were certified, and ACA will help connect them with local employment opportunities. Family caregivers completing the program can take their skills back into their homes to help a relative.
Asians, particularly women, adhere more to cultural norms, prioritizing family over self, and filial obligation, which suggests loving children honor their parents by returning the caregiving for them as they age. AARP found that 42% of Asian American Pacific Islanders surveyed provide care to an older adult, compared to 22% of the general population. Similarly, Asian Americans are more likely than other groups to live in multigenerational households; 17% polled in a Pew Research Center survey reported doing so, compared with 7% of non-Asians.
In addition to the training program, ACA is working to develop caregiving manuals in Mandarin and Cantonese that cover medical and non-medical caregiving tasks and provide guidance on everything from administering medication to offering emotional support. ACA plans to distribute these materials widely, making them available to families, caregivers, and community organizations. These manuals will serve as essential resources for caregivers, those completing the program, and others in the community.
“By translating these materials, we’re not just creating a resource for our trainees—we’re making sure that everyone in the community can access valuable information to improve their caregiving skills,” Liu said.
Hong Miller, manager of ACA’s Detroit center, said that care extends beyond just physical assistance. “We’re not only training caregivers. We’re building a network of support for families who need it. Our programs at ACA, including the lunches, health screenings and community-building activities, help create a sense of belonging that goes hand in hand with physical care.”
Liu added that the training program is designed to have a lasting impact by empowering individuals to better care for their loved ones.
“We want to give people the tools to care for their elders in a way that’s culturally sensitive and aligned with their values,” he said. “This is not just a training program — it’s about creating a sustainable caregiving ecosystem.”
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