Carers from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Caring for a family member or friend is meaningful work, but it can be especially complex if you come from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, many carers are immigrants, refugees, or members of minority communities who may face additional barriers when accessing support.

This guide is tailored to carers in Grand Rapids and West Michigan, with information on local resources, cultural considerations, and language support.

Understanding Carers in Culturally Diverse Communities

In many cultures represented in Grand Rapids—such as Hispanic/Latino, African, Middle Eastern, Asian, and Indigenous communities—caring for elders, people with disabilities, or people with chronic illness is often seen as a family duty, not a separate “carer” role.

Because of this:

  • Many people don’t identify themselves as “carers”
  • They may not seek help, even when they are overwhelmed
  • They may rely only on family, faith communities, or neighbors

Recognizing yourself as a carer is an important first step. It can open the door to support from local health systems like Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health), Mercy Health, and community organizations across Kent County.

Common Barriers for CALD Carers in Grand Rapids

1. Language and Communication Barriers

If English is not your first language, it can be difficult to:

  • Understand medical information and treatment options
  • Communicate with doctors, nurses, and social workers
  • Complete forms for insurance, disability benefits, or home care
  • Find information about carer support services

In a city like Grand Rapids, where winters are long and cold and chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses are common, clear communication with healthcare professionals is especially important.

2. Cultural Beliefs and Expectations

Cultural values can shape how carers see their role:

  • Some carers feel it is their duty to care alone and not ask for help
  • Seeking outside support (like home care or respite) may feel like “not doing enough” for family
  • Some families prefer to keep health issues within the family or community
  • Certain illnesses—such as dementia, mental health conditions, or disability—may be understood differently or may carry stigma

In Grand Rapids’ diverse communities, this can make it harder for carers to reach out to mainstream services, even when those services are available and free.

3. Different Understandings of Illness and Disability

Cultural background can influence how carers and families understand:

  • Dementia and memory loss
  • Mental health conditions (such as depression, anxiety, PTSD)
  • Intellectual or physical disabilities
  • Chronic illnesses like diabetes or heart disease

For example, some cultures may view dementia as a normal part of aging rather than a medical condition, or may see mental illness as a spiritual issue rather than a health issue. This can affect whether families seek medical care or carer support.

4. Mistrust or Previous Negative Experiences

Carers from CALD backgrounds may have:

  • Experienced discrimination or racism in healthcare settings
  • Come from countries where health systems are unsafe or corrupt
  • Concerns about immigration status or confidentiality
  • Fears about involving government agencies

These experiences can make it difficult to trust hospitals, clinics, or public health services in Grand Rapids, even when they are trying to help.

Cultural Preferences in Healthcare and Carer Support

Many carers prefer to work with healthcare professionals who:

  • Speak their language or use qualified interpreters
  • Understand their cultural beliefs, religion, and family structure
  • Respect traditional healers or complementary practices
  • Are sensitive to gender roles and modesty

Grand Rapids healthcare systems, including Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and U of M Health–West, increasingly offer:

  • Interpreter services (phone, video, or in-person)
  • Culturally competent care training for staff
  • Partnerships with community organizations and faith-based groups
  • Patient navigators or community health workers who understand local cultures

When making appointments, you can ask specifically for language support or culturally aware providers.

Indigenous and Native American Carers in West Michigan

While the original article referred to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia, in West Michigan the closest parallel is Native American and Indigenous communities, including members of tribes such as the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians and other Anishinaabe peoples.

In many Indigenous communities:

  • Caring is a shared responsibility involving extended family and community
  • People looking after relatives may not call themselves “carers”
  • Health and wellbeing are viewed holistically—connecting body, mind, spirit, land, and community
  • Respite may mean supporting the entire family or community, not just one individual

Because of these differences, mainstream respite services in Grand Rapids may not always feel culturally appropriate or flexible enough. Indigenous families may prefer:

  • Community-based or tribally connected services
  • Support that allows the whole family to rest or reconnect
  • Services that respect traditional healing practices and spiritual beliefs

If you are an Indigenous carer in the Grand Rapids area, you can ask local clinics or the Kent County Health Department to help you connect with culturally aware services and Indigenous-led organizations where available.

Local Support and Resources for CALD Carers in Grand Rapids

1. Grand Rapids Health Systems

The major healthcare providers in Grand Rapids can support carers from diverse backgrounds:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) – Grand Rapids
    Offers hospital care, outpatient clinics, home health, and specialist services. Ask about interpreter services, patient navigators, and social workers who can help carers access support.

  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    Provides hospital and community-based care. Their care management and social work teams can connect carers to local resources, financial assistance, and respite options.

  • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health)
    Serves West Michigan with primary and specialty care. Carers can request help with care coordination, education about chronic conditions, and support services.

  • Mercy Health and affiliated clinics
    Offer family medicine, specialty services, and community outreach programs. Many clinics work with diverse populations and can arrange interpretation.

When you attend appointments, tell staff that you are a carer. Ask to speak with a social worker, case manager, or care coordinator about support for carers.

2. Public Health and Community Resources

  • Kent County Health Department (KCHD)
    Provides health education, immunizations, WIC, and community health programs. They often have materials in multiple languages and can refer carers to local support services.
    Website: search “Kent County Health Department Grand Rapids”
    Phone: check the current number on their website.

  • Grand Rapids Public Health and local community clinics
    Community health centers and free clinics in Grand Rapids frequently work with immigrant and refugee populations and can help carers understand the health system, especially for chronic conditions that worsen in cold Michigan winters.

  • Local immigrant and refugee service organizations
    Groups that support refugees and immigrants (such as Lutheran social services, refugee resettlement agencies, or ethnic community centers) may offer:

    • Interpretation and translation help
    • Navigation of healthcare and insurance
    • Support groups and community health workshops

Language, Translation, and Interpreter Services in Grand Rapids

If English is not your first language, you have the right to ask for language support in most healthcare settings.

Many hospitals and clinics in Grand Rapids offer:

  • Professional medical interpreters (by phone, video, or in person)
  • Translated patient education materials and forms
  • Bilingual staff and providers

You can:

  • Ask for an interpreter when you schedule your appointment
  • Request that important documents (like discharge instructions or medication lists) be explained with an interpreter present
  • Let staff know which language or dialect you prefer

Avoid using children or young family members as interpreters for complex medical information; professional interpreters are trained to keep information accurate and confidential.

Emotional and Practical Support for CALD Carers

Carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Grand Rapids may be:

  • Balancing work, caregiving, and childcare
  • Coping with harsh winters and transportation challenges to appointments
  • Managing financial stress, especially if caring limits their ability to work
  • Dealing with trauma from war, displacement, or migration

Support can include:

  • Counseling and mental health services with language or cultural support
  • Caregiver support groups (some faith communities and cultural organizations host these)
  • Respite care (short-term relief so carers can rest or attend to other responsibilities)
  • Education about specific illnesses, such as dementia, diabetes, or stroke, tailored to cultural beliefs and language needs

Ask your healthcare provider or the Kent County Health Department about local caregiver support programs and mental health resources that serve your community.

Disability and CALD Carers

Many carers in Grand Rapids support family members with disabilities. Cultural beliefs can influence:

  • Whether families seek a formal disability diagnosis
  • Comfort with school-based services or special education
  • Willingness to access in-home supports or respite care
  • How disability is explained to children and extended family

Local resources may include:

  • Hospital-based disability and rehabilitation programs
  • Early intervention services for children
  • School-based special education services in Grand Rapids Public Schools and surrounding districts
  • Nonprofit disability organizations that provide advocacy, information, and support

When contacting services, let them know:

  • Your preferred language
  • Any cultural or religious needs
  • Whether you need help understanding forms or systems (e.g., Medicaid, disability benefits)

Tips for CALD Carers in Grand Rapids

  • Recognize your role
    If you regularly help a family member or friend with daily tasks, medical appointments, or emotional support, you are a carer—and you deserve support.

  • Ask for language help
    Request an interpreter at hospitals, clinics, and public health offices. This is your right and helps keep your family member safe.

  • Share your cultural needs
    Tell providers what is important to your family—dietary rules, religious practices, gender preferences for care, or traditional healing practices.

  • Connect with community organizations
    Ethnic associations, mosques, churches, temples, and cultural centers in Grand Rapids often know about local health resources and can help you navigate the system.

  • Plan for Michigan’s seasons
    Cold, icy winters and hot, humid summers can worsen some health conditions. Ask your healthcare team how to manage your family member’s health through seasonal changes.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids

If you are a carer from a culturally and linguistically diverse background in Grand Rapids, you can:

  • Contact your primary care clinic and ask to speak with a social worker or care coordinator
  • Reach out to the Kent County Health Department for information on community health programs and language services
  • Ask local immigrant, refugee, or cultural organizations about caregiver support and health navigation
  • Check with major health systems (Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, U of M Health–West, Mercy Health) about caregiver resources, support groups, and interpreter services

You do not have to manage everything alone. Support is available in Grand Rapids, and it can be adapted to respect your language, culture, and family values.