How Asian Americans are filling the gaps in care for their elderly parents

More than 60 percent of Asian American and Pacific Islander caregivers of someone 50 or older are providing care to a parent.

About a quarter of Asian Americans live in “multigenerational households” or homes with two or more generations of adults aged 25 or older.

Families of elders needing home services say a bilingual or culturally competent caretaker helps give them peace of mind.

Michigan State University professor Fei Sun and professor Arun Paul are developing a new program for Chinese American seniors.

The training will include basic knowledge of geriatric symptoms and illnesses, like dementia and stroke, and the legal and ethical considerations in caregiving.

The program will also consider Chinese norms, as well as some cultural taboos, Du said.

“We want our communities to be a lot more than that, like actually helping people self actualize where people can feel comfortable, accepted, understood” One of the most memorable pieces of feedback Paul heard was from the daughter of a resident who thanked him for giving her mom a “ second childhood”.