Finding Connection and Care: How AACI Supports Bay Area Seniors Facing Isolation
A new Wish Book campaign aims to bolster the Asian Americans for Community Involvement’s Senior Wellness Program, providing vital resources to a growing population of vulnerable older adults.
The painful memory of isolation lingered for Mabel Yuen, 75, of Cupertino, as she recalled facing aging and loneliness during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Having lost her husband 33 years prior and retired early due to a shoulder injury requiring surgery, Yuen found herself increasingly cut off from the world. She couldn’t visit with people, her children lived far away, and her beloved travel plans were indefinitely postponed. “People were scared of me,” she recounted, describing the fear she encountered when simply seeking help from neighbors during a difficult recovery.
Fortunately, a connection with Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI) proved to be a turning point. After speaking with a Christian counselor, Yuen was directed to Eunice Cheng, Senior Wellness Program manager at the nonprofit, which has served the Bay Area since 1973. AACI provides a comprehensive range of health and wellness services, including primary care, dental and mental health support, and culturally relevant programming.
“It turned out to be a godsend,” Yuen said. Cheng quickly became a lifeline, arranging for hot meal deliveries and offering regular phone calls to combat Yuen’s feelings of loneliness. AACI’s approach is particularly vital for immigrant seniors. “We do not charge them money,” Cheng explained. “We know they are immigrants. We try to make it easy for them to receive information, to communicate in their language, support them, providing all these cultural celebrations they might be missing.”
The Senior Wellness Program currently serves over 900 older adults with low incomes, recent immigrants, or those with limited English proficiency. For 50 years, AACI has offered culturally responsive fitness classes, computer literacy workshops, nutritious meals, multilingual resources, and vibrant cultural events.
Yuen’s involvement deepened when Cheng encouraged her to participate in AACI’s online activities. One class, “Armchair Travel,” led by 82-year-old ESL instructor Gracia Del Rosario of San Jose, proved particularly impactful. Del Rosario created a curriculum centered around exploring different countries and cultures through engaging discussions and shared experiences.
“To go on a vacation, you need time, money and physical strength,” Del Rosario said. “Some people have all three, and then they can go, but some people don’t have that. So I thought, maybe I could bring the countries of the world through Zoom to people who cannot travel outside the country, and I feel good about it because I also learn with them.”
Through “Armchair Travel,” Yuen forged a meaningful connection with Claudia Hau, 80, of Fremont. Hau, who had previously attended Del Rosario’s ESL classes, was also encouraged to join AACI. The two women bonded over their shared love of exploration and, remarkably, embarked on a trip to Peru and Asia together this year.
“I should give the honor and the credit to AACI,” Hau said. “They really take care of the seniors. We are not young, and especially for the immigrant people, we did not know a lot of channels how to get the resources. So, I really appreciate that.”
Cheng emphasized that a core goal of the Senior Wellness Program is to empower older adults to live independently. Building trust is paramount. Newcomers often feel shy and isolated, unsure of how to connect with others. AACI staff proactively guide them, fostering connections based on shared backgrounds and cultural experiences. The organization provides a wide array of support, from transportation assistance to help with health insurance and housing.
“With the network here, everyone is coming here with the same difficulty or dealing with the same problem all the time,” Cheng explained. “There might be a better sense of like, ‘Oh, I can share my challenges here with somebody.’ So I think it’s the most important contribution that our agency is providing – that space for the people.” AACI also keeps families informed and assists adult children in navigating the complexities of supporting their aging parents’ independence.
However, AACI is facing increasing challenges. Federal funding cuts stemming from the 2017 tax bill (HR1) have reduced funding for its disease prevention program by approximately 18%. Additionally, the agency is currently serving 20% more meals than budgeted for through the Santa Clara County Senior Nutrition Program, with no guarantee of additional county funding to cover the overage.
These financial pressures come at a time when the need for AACI’s services is growing. Approximately 30% of seniors served by AACI rely on food stamps, and changes in family caregivers’ circumstances can indirectly impact their access to essential resources. Cheng noted that older Asian American adults may be hesitant to ask for help or navigate complex systems like Medi-Cal redetermination. “A lot of the time, people have difficulties just because no one understands them, so we also spend time with them and talk to them and help them understand resources,” she said. “We are building up a strong network with many other organizations because we also understand it’s not a one-man show here in the community. We have to be together.”
Donations to Wish Book will directly support AACI’s Senior Wellness Program, enabling the organization to serve nearly 200 additional older adults, particularly those with limited English proficiency, and continue providing vital social engagement activities. The fundraising goal is $25,000.
HOW TO GIVE: Donate at wishbook.mercurynews.com/donate or mail in the form found with this article.
ONLINE EXTRA: Read other Wish Book stories, view photos and video at wishbook.mercurynews.com.
