May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Last month we had the opportunity to learn about and celebrate our occupational therapists. This month, we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Orange County is fortunate enough to have a growing population of AAPI older adults and we want to highlight this community alongside some great resources!
 
Did you know? According to a nationwide AARP study, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are about twice as likely to care for their elders than the general population. AAPI communities commonly share values of family togetherness and respect for elders and are more likely to live in households with multiple generations of family. Even as these values may be shared by some AAPI communities, it’s important to acknowledge that the term AAPI includes over 40 different ethnicities with over 100 languages spoken!
 
Each AAPI ethnic group has its own cultural beliefs, attitudes, and practices around caregiving; however, there are also commonalities. For example, AAPI families are generally more hesitant about moving their elders out of their homes and into assisted living or nursing home facilities according to AARP. In addition, there is a disinclination to home visits from health care providers with a strong preference to be cared for by family. Among Chinese Americans, but other AAPI groups as well, there is a reluctance to discuss end of life related issues due to the nature of karma and the belief that talking about bad things might make them occur. Such cultural beliefs and preferences can make caregiving discussions difficult to have, but it’s extremely important to talk with your loved ones to understand their wishes before something happens, like a fall or an accident, that could force serious decisions and timely responses.
 
In the world of aging and caregiving, it may be difficult for AAPI family caregivers to find resources and care that are culturally and linguistically appropriate.  See below for resources related to AAPI caregiving needs.

Here at the Orange County Department on Aging, we believe that all caregivers and older adults deserve culturally competent resources, care, and support. One of Orange County’s largest AAPI communities are Chinese Americans and individuals that speak Chinese and Mandarin languages. At https://www.orangecountync.gov/185/Chinese-Resources you can find a platform with information on caregiver support, transportation, housing, nutrition support and other topics for older adults that speak Chinese, Mandarin, and Cantonese languages. You’re also welcome to call our Chinese Helpline at (919) 245-4275 to find out more information about resources in Orange County!

 
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CDC Updates Guidance for Vaccinated People

The CDC has updated its guidance for fully vaccinated people. Some of the changes include:

• Fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask outdoors, except in certain crowded settings and venues.

• Fully vaccinated workers do not need to stay home from work after exposure, as long as they don't have any symptoms.
• Fully vaccinated people living in a non-healthcare congregate setting no longer need to quarantine after an exposure.
• Fully vaccinated people, who have not been exposed to COVID-19 and do not have any symptoms, may be exempted from routine screening testing.

The CDC adds that immunocompromised individuals should check with their doctor about these recommendations.

For more information, you can read the full CDC document here.

Activity Engagement Coaching

As we all continue to spend a lot of time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be challenging to find ways to keep loved ones with dementia engaged throughout the day.

For caregivers connected to our various dementia support programs, we are now offering one-on-one consultations (via phone or GoToMeeting) where we can brainstorm together with you to identify enjoyable activities that are:

• person-centered, i.e. tailored to your loved one’s current and past interests, likes, preferences

• meaningful
• appropriately modified to current level of cognitive ability, thereby reducing frustration and stress

If interested, please contact Lisa Meinert (919-245-4251), certified Dementia Care Partner and Activity Professional or Marie Dagger, OTR/L (919-245-4279).

In Need of Incontinence Supplies?

Thanks to generous donations, the Department on Aging has a supply of incontinence supplies including: bed pads, pull up briefs, adult diapers, wipes, and adult booster pads. If you are in need of any of these supplies, we may be able to provide you with up to one pack per month (depending on availability of the items requested). Contact the Aging Helpline (919-968-2087 or Agingtransitions@Orangecountync.gov) to request supplies.