Ask the Expert — Providing Culturally Sensitive Care to Our Chinese Community
For CenterLight Healthcare Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) participants, high-quality care is about more than medical treatment. It means being understood in the language they are most comfortable using, enjoying familiar foods, honoring traditions, and staying connected to community. This is why we provide care that reflects the values, routines, and needs of those we serve.
We asked CenterLight Senior Director of Specialized Group Programs Sophia Chu, RN, to share how culturally sensitive care helps Chinese participants feel respected and supported while living safely in their own homes.
In Her Own Words
First, can you please tell us what led you to choose nursing as a profession?
"I chose nursing as my second career after immigrating to the United States with my family. I wanted a stable profession that would allow me to help people in need. When I learned more about long-term care, I found it especially meaningful and rewarding because it gives me the opportunity to build relationships, support older adults over time, and make a difference in their daily lives.
Through nursing, I can provide culturally sensitive care to participants and the community, lead specialized group programs, and educate colleagues on how to better support people from different cultural backgrounds. My goal is to work collaboratively with the care team to help participants live safely in their community with dignity and a good quality of life."
What does culturally sensitive care mean for Chinese participants?
"For Chinese participants, culturally sensitive care begins with listening. Each person may have different preferences related to language or dialect, family involvement, food, traditions, privacy, spiritual or personal beliefs, and how they prefer to talk about health concerns. Rather than making assumptions, our team asks questions, learns what is important to the participant, and uses that understanding to guide care."
Why is connection to the Chinese community important in care?
"Community can play an important role in healthy aging. For many Chinese older adults, connection to language, family, neighbors, celebrations, familiar meals, and shared traditions can bring comfort, reduce isolation, and make it easier to stay engaged in care. When care feels familiar and respectful, participants may feel more comfortable asking questions, sharing concerns, and building trust with their care team."
How does CenterLight Healthcare PACE communicate with Chinese participants and families?
"Clear communication helps participants and families feel informed and included. CenterLight Healthcare PACE uses plain language, provides support in multiple languages and dialects, and arranges qualified interpreters when needed. Our staff speaks more than 25 languages and dialects, reflecting the diversity of the communities we serve. We also confirm understanding, answer questions, and respect each participant’s privacy and choice in care conversations."
How are Chinese food traditions and health needs included in care planning?
"Food is closely tied to culture, comfort, and daily routine. Our team gets to know each participant’s preferences, including familiar foods such as rice, congee, steamed fish, tofu, bok choy, noodles, tea, and soup. When a participant is managing diabetes, high blood pressure, or another condition, our registered dietitian works with them to make realistic changes that still feel familiar, such as balancing rice or noodles with vegetables and protein, choosing lower-sodium options, and keeping meals flavorful and enjoyable."
How does CenterLight Healthcare PACE help Chinese participants stay connected to culture and community?
"A sense of belonging can support emotional well-being and quality of life. CenterLight Healthcare PACE creates opportunities for Chinese participants to connect through shared language, cultural celebrations, and meaningful activities led by our Therapeutic Recreation team, such as Lunar New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival, tai chi, mahjong, calligraphy, music, and other familiar programs."
How does CenterLight Healthcare PACE support participants from all cultures?
"While this conversation focuses on the Chinese community, CenterLight Healthcare PACE honors the needs, preferences, and traditions of every participant we serve. Our care teams learn about each person’s culture, goals, routines, and supports so care feels personal and meaningful. Whether a participant is Chinese, Caribbean, Latin American, South Asian, Eastern European, or from another background, our approach remains the same: listen first, respect individual choice, and provide care that supports the whole person."
What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
"The most fulfilling part of my job is sharing clinical and cultural knowledge with team members through meetings, case discussions, and ongoing training. I am especially happy when I see participants smiling and enjoying activities at our adult day health center. It shows that our teamwork is making a positive difference in their lives."
Working Together with the Chinese Community
"CenterLight Healthcare PACE works with Chinese participants, families, providers, and community partners to support healthy aging, independence, and quality of life. By honoring language, culture, traditions, and personal choice, we help participants stay connected to what matters most while receiving care that respects who they are."
Sophia Chu, RN, is the Senior Director of Specialized Group Programs at CenterLight Healthcare PACE.
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Last Updated August 12, 2026