At the Moreno Valley Senior Center in Riverside county, California, up to 250 seniors are served on any given day. The food is just one draw. Seniors attend the lunch program for regular companionship, which helps to stave off loneliness and a sense of social isolation.
With a growing elderly population and a critical shortage of caregivers, the Chinese community is moving away from traditional expectations of caregiving, especially as adult children live lives away from parents. Chinese seniors often struggle to find caregivers who can speak the language and attend to their needs. As a result, undocumented Chinese workers are increasingly entering the workforce to address the shortage of caregivers for older Chinese adults.
