Resources for the Elderly

Resources for the Elderly

Overview:

In 2010 it is estimated that the elderly (65+) immigrant population will reach 4.5 million in the United States. An increasing number of immigrants in the 60-79 year age group are coming to America through family sponsorship and reunification plans. These populations tend to settle in neighborhoods established by earlier immigrants; often with family members or in ethnically concentrated areas. The process of acculturation varies greatly between individuals and ethnic groups.  Limited exposure outside the ethnic community, combined with strong cultural beliefs, often act as obstacles to integration. The process of immigration is expensive and generates a range of new challenges even further complicated by language barriers. The U.S. healthcare, insurance, and legal systems are daunting to many American-born citizens and pose real challenges to elderly immigrants unfamiliar with them.

According to a 2010 article in Human Services Today by Dr. Maudia Gentry[1], “In most instances, the lack of cultural awareness impedes accessibility to services for elderly immigrants. Access to health and social services are likely the greatest social challenges facing U.S. society, particularly for both the American born elderly and the elderly immigrant.”

An approach thought to be most effective in service to the elderly immigrant population is called Multi-Sectoral planning. This method refers to services providing long and short-term assistance with high cultural sensitivity and awareness towards clients. A major aspect of this model is the use of the client’s native language as well as English by social workers and those providing health and human services. Elderly immigrants are provided with information written in a simple, understandable manner, improving accessibility to crucial services. Such an approach to elderly immigrant services is effective in establishing and building cultural and social interaction; “strengthen multi-ethnic alliances and also empower[ing] human services professionals with the ability to provide adequate services to the elderly through cultural awareness”.[2]

The following list of organizations has been compiled with an eye towards multi-sectoral planning for elderly immigrant services. In most cases these organizations provide comprehensive programs including assistance with citizenship and naturalization procedures, healthcare, and social interaction facilitated by multi-lingual staff and volunteers.

ORGANIZATIONS

Adult Protective Services

APS protects vulnerable adults by investigating allegations of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation when the person lives in their own home. APS conducts an investigation at no charge and without regard to the income of the alleged victim.  Some protective services may be provided without cost. Learn more about what happens when you call APS.

1-866-221-4909
Ph: 1-800-977-5456
Fax: 206-626-5705

Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS)

In addition to providing the largest Citizenship Services Program in Washington State, ACRS also provides services for the elderly including:

• Assistance with medical or legal matters, including Medicaid and Social Security
• Housing
• Transportation
• Applications for benefits or services
• Nutrition assistance
• Coordination of services to assist elders and adults with disabilities to prevent premature institutionalization
• Nursing services
• Affordable, culturally-appropriate counseling

3639 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S
Seattle, WA 98144
Ph: (206) 695-7600
Website

Catholic Community Services of Western Washington (CCS)

Among many other provided services, CCS assists with refugee and immigration services as well as senior programs. Not only does CCS provide aid with family, reunification, citizenship/naturalization, fee waivers, status adjustments and preparation classes but conducts community outreach to “enhance awareness of the benefits of citizenship and to encourage people to apply for it. Immigration and citizenship services are provided in King, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties. CCS staff is fluent in Belarusian, Burmese, Khmu, Laotian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Thai, and Ukrainian. The senior services provided by CCS do not focus solely on elderly immigrants, but provides assistance to allow seniors to remain in their own homes while receiving nutritious meals and socialization opportunities.

Seattle Office
4250 S. Mead St.
Seattle, WA 98118
Ph: (206) 725-2090 x 10
Website

Indochina Chinese Refugee Association (ICRA)

The ICRA is a community based non-profit organization that provides assistance to new refugees and immigrants with a focus on children and the elderly. Clients are primarily immigrants of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, China and Taiwan. Services include:

• Resettlement Assistance including employment, medical assistance, utilities and energy  assistance, immigration, social security and housing
• Naturalization and Citizenship exam preparation classes
• ESL classes for all levels of literacy

200 21^st Ave
Seattle, WA 98122

Ph: 206-625-9955

Web: icrawa.org

International Drop-In Center (IDIC)

The International Drop-In Center offers a broad range of services available to members and county residents including immigration counseling and assistance, veterans’ advocacy and benefits assistance, health seminars, estate planning guide and referrals, passports assistance, computer literacy classes, subsidized housing advice, disability and social security benefits, and other concerns that seniors citizens may encounter. IDIC also operates PEARLS (Program to Encourage Active Rewarding Lives for Seniors) that individually identifies and addresses concerns of aging adults that may otherwise result in loneliness, anxiety and depression. PEARLS serves to effectively manage these feelings so that seniors may maintain, or regain a high quality of life. Other services provided by IDIC include:

• Social Security Benefits Forms Assistance
• Counseling & Referrals
• Immigration Counseling
• Veterans Benefits Assistance
• Subsidized Housing Referrals
• Jobs Search
• Interpretation & Translation
• Health Insurance Advice & Referrals
• Estate Planning & Advice
• Social events and activities
• Case management and advocacy

7301 Beacon Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98118
Ph: 206-587-3735

Web: idicseattle.com

Jewish Family Service (JFS)

JFS is an organization committed to serving the community and helping to provide dignity through healthy relationships and culturally relevant resources. The Endless Opportunities Program for adults 60+ strives to approach senior services with value and appreciation for the wisdom and knowledge older members of the community possess. Their activities are designed to be meaningful and supportive. Program formats include lectures, discussions, luncheons with guest speakers, and outings to community arts, cultural and recreational organizations. Extensive counseling and emotional support services, long term and in-home nursing referrals are available. JFS provides immigrant services free of charge at their Immigrant and Refugee Service Centers. The Center is staffed by professional case managers fluent in Cantonese, Hmong, Mandarin, Laotian, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Somali, Arabic, Farsi and Lithuanian. The citizenship services provided include:

• Translation services for school, medical and legal needs and government agencies
• Assistance with citizenship applications
• ESL classes
• Support and referral services

1601 16th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122

Ph: (206) 461-3240

Web: jfsseattle.org

Korean Women’s Association (KWA)

KWA was created to assist immigrants in the naturalization process and aid in ensuring that new citizens receive other important benefits. These services include:

• Application assistance
• Citizenship and ESL preparation classes
• USCIS interview and preparation practice

KWA also sponsors the Asian-Pacific Senior Day Care Program that provides frail and disabled seniors with culturally appropriate care and socialization. The APSDC has been nationally recognized as “one of the most outstanding programs for ethnic based senior day care centers.” In addition to social activities, KWA also does health promotion screenings with information and referrals provided.

North King County Office

409 Maynard Ave S, Suite 205
Seattle, WA 98104

Ph: 206-624-6936 or 206-624-6639

Web: kwaoutreach.org

Northwest Justice Project

The Northwest Justice Project maintains an intake hotline CLEAR for toll-free centralized intake, advice and referral service for low-income people seeking free legal assistance with civil legal problems. People 60 and over are able to contact CLEAR*Sr regardless of income and language to speak with an advocate.

1-888-387-7111

1-888-201-1014 (low income seniors)

401 Second Avenue S, Suite 407
Seattle, WA 98104

Ph: 206-464-1519

Web: nwjustice.org

St. James ESL Program

The ESL tutoring program at St. James serves low income immigrants and refugees in King County. ESL students are tutored one-on-one by staff and develop individual goals, programs, lesson plans and instruction. St. James also provides citizenship tutoring and Naturalization assistance. Citizenship students learn English through U.S. civics and history in preparation for their United States Naturalization Exam. Staff provides information and referral to legal, health, and transportation services.

804 9th Ave
Seattle, WA 98104

Ph: 206-382-4511

Web: stjames-cathedral.org

Sea Mar

Sea Mar Community Health Centers is a community-based organization committed to providing quality comprehensive health and human services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos. In addition to extensive medical services, Sea Mar also offers a Citizenship Services Program which includes:

• Assistance with the N-400 application
• Interpretation for the biometrics appointment
• Interpretation during interview (if eligible) and oath ceremony
• Referral for additional legal advice

Sea Mar also runs free Latino Senior Programs for residents of King County, 55 years and older.

These programs are ideally suited to the elderly immigrant community in the greater Puget Sound region and include:

• Referrals to services and organizations in the community
• Translation/interpretation
• Assistance learning to access public transportation
• Assistance with Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, etc.
• Social activities
• Dance, music, exercise, bingo
• English classes

8915 14^th Ave S. 1^st floor
Seattle, WA 98108
Ph: 206-764-4700
Web: seamar.org

Ukrainian Community Center of Washington (UCCW)

The UCCW is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the Ukrainian/American community. Their goal is to encourage community empowerment, leadership development, self-reliance and health promotion for the greater Ukrainian/Russian speaking community in the U.S. The furtherance of this goal the UCCW provides programs, activities, seminars, trainings and advocacy for its clients. Services include:

• Test preparation and classes for the civic exam
• Naturalization application/procedure assistance

Senior activities include:

• Exercise and nutrition programs
•  Group activities
•  ESL classes
•  Support groups and counseling

221 Hardie Ave NW
Renton, WA 98057
Ph: 425-430-8229
Web: uccwa.org

Resources for Elderly Immigrants Not Including Naturalization Services

Center for Multi-Cultural Health (CMCH), Refugee Health Advocacy Project (RHAP)

The goal of the Refugee Health Advocacy Project is to assist refugee families in overcoming barriers to self-sufficiency that are caused by difficulties in accessing and appropriately utilizing the health and human service systems. RHAP case managers help refugees address all their health-related needs including child-care, education, employment, job-training, legal, health, transportation and housing. RHAP has three staff members who work with Amharic, Cambodian, Russian and Tigrigna-speaking clients and a Refugee Advocate who provides in-home citizenship and English language training to clients throughout King County. In partnership with the Indochinese Language Bank, the CMCH also provides interpretation, advocacy and health education for Cambodian, Chinese/Cantonese, Chinese/Chau-Jo, Chinese/Mandarin, and Vietnamese-speaking patients in community health centers in Seattle-King County.

105 14th Avenue, Suite 2C
Seattle, WA 98122
Ph: 206-461-6910

Web: cmch@cschc.org

Consejo Counseling and Referral Service

Consejo is an agency that has provided over 30 years of culturally-competent services to growing yet underserved Latino communities. Consejo’s Adult Geriatric Day Support serves elders and people living with disabilities. Services include developing independent living skills, physical and emotional health, nutrition and money management. In addition to the Adult Geriatric program, Consejo also offers a unique Natural Health program designed to serve patients with health concerns that do not respond to western style medicine. Acupuncture, Chinese and herbal medicine are practiced by technicians from Consejo and the John Bastyr University of Natural Health Sciences. According to their website, the natural health program is unique because it is the only bilingual/bicultural Natural Health Services in King County and Washington State. Consejo operates offices throughout Washington state.

3808 S Angeline St.
Seattle, WA 98118
Ph: (206) 461-4880

Web: consejocounseling.org

EthnoMed: Community House Calls Program

EthnoMed is a website hosted by Harborview Medical Center’s Interpreter Services and the University of Washington that provides medical and cultural information about immigrant and refugee groups in the Seattle area. The website itself was designed to assist medical providers serving various ethnic communities with concerns specific to those communities. The website also offers translated material for providers to download in the languages of patients. The Community House Calls program serves limited English proficient patients of Harborview Medical Center. Their website describes the program: “Bilingual/bicultural caseworker/cultural mediators provide same language services for patients facing complex medical and social circumstances and serve as liaisons to their respective communities.” Initially the program included interpretation and cultural mediation for Amharic, Cambodian, Somali and Tigrigna speakers and now includes Vietnamese and Spanish services. The following specific services are provided by the Community House Calls Program:

• Interpretation
• Find resources for social issues that impact the health of patients, such as immigration concerns, job searches and enrolling in English for citizenship classes.
• Advocacy for patients in healthcare, social service, school and agency settings.\Facilitation of Medicaid-eligible patients
• Coordination of patient care, including arranging transportation
• Help with forms and applications
• Health education
• Home visits

Community House Calls

Harborview Medical Center
325 9th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104

Ph: 206 744-9256

Web: ethnomed.org

Filipino Community of Seattle

“The Filipino Community of Seattle’s mission is to promote Filipino American ethnic pride, diversity, and unity, advocate for educational, socio-economic, and political empowerment and provide relevant and effective community programs and services.” (Website) The FCS provides citizenship classes as well as hosting events and seminars for people of all age groups including computer classes, health and wellness information and seminars. The FCS has received funding and grants for disease management and preventative health education for seniors. Three times a week the FCS provides meal services and social engagement for seniors. The meal service includes fitness activities and food contributions to individuals in need. Besides the lunch program, seniors are also invited to attend prayer meetings and a food bank. Referral services for legal, healthcare, immigration and employment are also available.

5740 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S
Seattle, WA 98118

Ph: 206-722-9372

Web: fcseattle.org

Neighborhood House

“The mission of Neighborhood House is to help diverse communities of people with limited resources attain their goals for self-sufficiency, financial independence, health, and community building.” (Website) Neighborhood House offers a senior program with the goals of helping low-income seniors live healthy, independent lives with dignity and respect. A recent grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development will be enhancing senior services in several Seattle area public housing communities. Elderly residents are connected with case managers who help seniors to access critical healthcare and emergency financial assistance as well as social activities and language programs. 

825 Yesler Way
Seattle, WA 98104

Ph: 206-461-4522

Web: nhwa.org

Refugee and Women’s Alliance (ReWA)

This organization provides comprehensive “culturally and linguistically appropriate services to immigrant and refugee communities throughout King and Snohomish counties.” ReWA is one of the largest immigrant service organizations in the Puget Sound area and is designed to service the many, and complex needs of refugee and immigrant women and their families. Among many other services including ESL, parenting classes, domestic violence services and mental health ReWA maintains a Senior Nutrition and Wellness Program. The program encourages peer networking in an environment that celebrates and upholds cultural tradition through social events and outings designed to address feelings of loneliness and isolation many elderly immigrants experience. Senior participants come from many ethnic community groups including Chinese, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Somali, and Vietnamese.

• Ethnic meals
• Nutrition education
• Physical fitness sessions and evaluations
• Field trips
• Assistance with other community services

4008 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S
Seattle, WA 98108

Ph: 206-721-0243

Web: rewa.org

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[1] Gentry, Maudia. “Challenges of Elderly Immigrants.” Human Services Today Spring 2010: n. pag. Web.

[2] Ibid.