Healing California
The Center for Health Journalism has teamed with eight ethnic media organizations in California to report together on health equity, community well-being and gaps in health care in a unique collaborative learning effort.
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.
After being displaced by a fire, elderly Asian residents feel depressed and isolated as they struggle to access basic necessities in their temporary accommodation far from familiar surroundings. Alerted to their situation by a Red Cross first responder, local community organizations intervene to bridge gaps in direct services, creating a model for rapid response in the event of an emergency that jeopardizes the well-being of underserved Asian seniors in the Bay Area.
A legal case filed by a Korean-American woman against her company for wrongful termination after advocating against ageist language used by her coworkers reflected cultural attitudes and negative perceptions of older people in the work environment at some Korean companies. Experts emphasize the detrimental effects of age discrimination on mental health, causing feelings of inadequacy and identity loss.
Dance can be a highly beneficial form of exercise for seniors with pre-existing health conditions. It offers a low-impact, enjoyable way to improve physical fitness and overall well-being through improved cardiovascular health, enhanced balance and coordination, increased flexibility, boosted mood and cognitive function, and weight management. For Bay Area native Joseph “Smokin’ Joe” Guillory, line dancing is a mental, physical and spiritual experience. “It all works together,” Guillory says. “It helps the body and the mind.”
Hazel Su is one of several hundreds who have migrated from Myanmar to the Bay Area to seek political asylum to resettle in the U.S. As an asylum seeker, Su is so focused on paying living expenses and helping family back home that she doesn't prioritize her own health. Despite learning about Medi-Cal covering people like her, Su finds that her options are too confusing to navigate and there are not enough community workers who can help.
"Saving Face”, a traditional Confucian concept, delineates the purpose of social exchange to promote self-esteem and equilibrium within the community. Chinese older adults who have internalized this concept may be more reluctant to engage with their social network to share negative emotions and life difficulties, potentially creating a fertile ground for loneliness. John Feng, who is 91 years old experiences intense bouts of loneliness and isolation, despite living in a senior apartment building in L.A. Chinatown where nearly all the residents are Chinese.
Marjorie Lauderdale, an 80-year-old caregiver in Palm Springs, faces a daunting task caring for her 77-year-old wife, Deidre, who suffered multiple strokes. The Inland Empire region, facing a growing aging population, is working to address the needs of seniors, including transportation and caregiving support.
As they cultivate gardens, seniors in Sacramento find a renewed sense of purpose. Sharon Chandler is one such senior who introduces the love of gardening to residents of the Delta Cove senior apartment complex in South Sacramento. The initiative fosters social interaction, encourages healthier eating habits and induces gardeners to incorporate home-grown produce into their diets.
Sevety-four-year-old Cha Seung-pyo volunteers at the LA Korean Community Center everyday from 9a.m. to 3 p.m. On average, he assists 20 individuals daily with their various needs. Volunteering has given Cha a sense of purpose and helps stave off loneliness and isolation.