Access for API Seniors
Funded by the Area 4 Agency on Agency
The Access for API Seniors program targets its services to low income, monolingual or limited English-speaking Korean elders (60 years of age and older) who may have undiagnosed, or are at risk of, mental health problems. The program’s objectives are to help these clients improve their quality and satisfaction of life and maintain an independent lifestyle, in order to prevent or alleviate mental illnesses, particularly depression and anxiety, which are prevalent among older adults.
Program services to meet these objectives are provided at clients’ homes and in group settings and include:
• Conducting community outreach activities to recruit and enroll clients.
• Identifying cultural, attitude, or language problems which may prevent enrolled clients from using social services or community resources.
• Assessing client needs and teaching practical aspects of money management, planning, and shopping for value for household and personal items.
• Interviewing clients and family members regarding health, social, and family history, and teaching, advising, or assisting them on how to arrange for resources pertinent to independent living.
• Working with clients to gain their acceptance of social, health, and community services leading to improvement in their living situation.
• Assisting clients in locating housing for displaced individuals and/or assisting them with preparation of documents, such as tax, rent, or driving forms.
• Providing a safe and welcoming environment for clients by organizing and leading group instructional or social activities, such as instructional English as a second language classes, bingo games, and other parlor games.
• Interpreting and serving as a liaison for Korean-speaking only clients at medical appointments, meetings with government officials on Social Security, Medi-Cal benefits, driver’s license and vehicle registration matters, etc.