Feature Articles
of understanding. AARP is initiating work on social isolation
in the AAPI community and I look forward to working with
our OCA members throughout the nation.”
Fortunately or unfortunately for me, AARP had started
to study isolation with the AAPI population to address social
isolation through an AAPI lens. I use the term “unfortunately,”
because it brings to light the negative impact of social isolation
in a personal way as I learn more about the risk factors. The
bright side is that AARP has started groundbreaking work to
look at these issues and their impact. It has piloted projects in
Washington, DC; Sioux Falls, SD; and North Carolina with the
goal of finding solutions that can be replicated in communities
across the country. To better learn about the impact of
isolation specifically on the AAPI Community, AARP has
also piloted a project in Seattle, WA.
There is a wealth of research that links social isolation
to poor health. In “A Review of Social Isolation,” Nicholas
Nicholson states that “social isolation has been demonstrated
to lead to numerous detrimental health effects in older adults,
including increased risk of all causes of mortality, dementia,
increased risk for re-hospitalization, and an increased number
of falls.” According to the British Columbia Ministry of
Health, some of the high risk factors across all populations
include loss of spouse, family member, or friends; living alone;
poverty; lack of transportation; living with serious health
concerns; and loss of a sense of purpose and meaning in life.
In a study for the AARP Foundation, Janet L. Soohoo found
that AAPI populations share these same risk factors and have
additional unique risk factors that include linguistic isolation,
acculturation stress, socioeconomic stressors, and cultural
norms, associated with the refugee and immigrant experience
and minority status within the general community.
It is a fact that the AAPI community has the highest
foreign-born rates in the United States. As immigrants and
refugees, some of the most vulnerable AAPI elders at risk of
isolation are those who are less acculturated and have limited
English proficiency. AARP Foundation’s early research shows
that while some AAPI elders may be living with family, they
still feel isolated because family members are working or
are busy with their own lives and unable to provide support
or time. Often, AAPI elders say they wish they were not so
Ron Mori with his mom, Terry
dependent on their children for support and struggle to
find their role and purpose in the modern American family
structure without being a burden to their own children.
The year 2014 marks a significant milestone as the last of
the Baby Boomers turn 50. It is important that we continue
to be mindful and take action to ensure that our AAPI elders
are not isolated, and that we look at ways to engage and
address isolation factors in our communities. This year,
AARP and AARP Foundation will pilot projects to address
social isolation projects in the AAPI community. The intent
and goal of these projects are best stated by Walter Woods,
Vice President, Programs - Isolation Impact Area, at AARP
Foundation who said, “The end of social isolation begins by
empowering those in it.” We welcome your personal stories
and inquiries, with our hope that our findings — along with
your engagement — will make a positive impact to address
social isolation in our communities. ■
Ron Mori is the Multicultural Markets and Engagement manager at
AARP, and lives in the Washington, DC area.
For more information on how AARP is engaging AAPI community,
visit http://www.aarp.org/aapi
AARP Caregiving Resource Center, visit http://www.aarp.org/
home-family/caregiving
AARP will also be holding their Life@50+ Convention in Boston,
MA (May 8-10, 2014) and San Diego, CA (September 4-6, 2014).
Attend to learn more about AARP from educational sessions and
fun activities featuring world renowned speakers and entertainers.
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