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Lifelong Learning and Wellness at Asian Community Center
By
Alex Eng
Guest Columnist
The
Sacramento County Adult & Aging Commission plays a prominent
role in educating the community about the seven Sacramento County
focal points, which must meet specific standards established by the
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
Designation is determined by the Area 4 Agency on Aging, working collaboratively
with the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and the Adult & Aging Commission.
The Asian Community Center is one of the area’s seven focal points.
The mission of the Asian Community Center (AAC) is to promote the general welfare
and enhance the quality of life for its community by identifying, developing
and providing culturally-sensitive health and social services for older adults.
Many are already familiar with the ACC Nursing Home in the Greenhaven/Pocket
area. The Nursing Home continues to be a leader in the “culture change” movement,
making the environment more home-like. Bathrooms have been renovated to look
like day spas, and the lobby has been newly refurbished.
ACC Park City is the Greenhaven/Pocket headquarters for all of its community
services. The ACC’s Lifelong Learning & Wellness Program (LLWP) offers
more than 65 classes weekly, such as dance and fitness classes, computer classes,
brain fitness, painting, acting and writing. Specific classes include hula, ballroom
dancing and tai chi.
Most classes are $4 per class hour, but there are also free workshops on health,
finances and legal issues. During tax season, the ACC offers free tax preparation
assistance for seniors and people with low incomes. Workshops on learning how
to manage chronic conditions have also been added recently.
The ACC’s Drop-In Respite & Caregiver Cooperative program for elders
offers a break to family caregivers. Twice a week, elders and volunteers gather
to exercise, do arts and crafts and socialize.
The ACC Rides Transportation Services provides transportation for older adults
and family caregivers in eight zip codes (95814, 95818, 95820, 95822, 95823,
95824, 95828 and 95831). The ACC also collaborates with AARP in offering the
Mature Driver program for older adults, which entitles them to a discount on
auto insurance.
“Bridge to Healthy Families-Asian Pacific Islander Dementia Care Network” is
the ACC’s new partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association and UC
Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Through this program, the ACC provides
assistance to families impacted by dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Social
work services, respite and classes for caregivers are part of the program.
ACC TEAM (Telecommunication Education and Assistance in Multiple Languages) workshops
teach participants how to understand their home and cell phone bills and how
to spot fraudulent charges. ACC TEAM also reviews phone bills for unnecessary
charges and contacts in an effort to help resolve complaints.
The ACC has also begun reaching out to the community in the Southside Park area
with tai chi and other classes at three locations.
ACC’s Greenhaven Terrace is a 166-unit independent living community for
adults age 62 years and older. Each apartment home is equipped with appliances,
central heating and air conditioning, walk-in closets and private patios/balconies — plus
there are organized social, wellness and recreational activities.
The heart and soul of the ACC is its dedicated group of volunteers. On any given
day, there may be 20 to 100 volunteers at the ACC who are visiting at the Nursing
Home, teaching LLWP classes, driving and escorting for Rides, calling bingo at
Drop-In Respite or stuffing envelopes for mailings.
The ACC’s vision is to create an array of services that help older adults
sustain their independence and maintain an active lifestyle. The ACC invites
everyone to visit any of its programs or to volunteer. For more information,
please visit the ACC Web site at accsv.org, or call (916) 393-9026.
Alex Eng, a second generation Chinese-American, retired in 2004 after 34 years
of service as a graphic designer for several state agencies. He was appointed
to the Adult & Aging Commission last year. Eng is a board member of Lions
Clubs International, District 4-C5 and the Sacramento FBI Citizens Academy Alumni
Association. He is also active in several other Sacramento organizations and
spearheads many Asian-American community activities. For his achievements and
involvements, he has received many awards and recognition.
This page and its contents ©2010
Metropolitan News Company, Inc.
