Since 1992, May has been designated as the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. According to Reader’s Digest, “The month was specifically chosen to commemorate the first Japanese immigrant to arrive in the United States. on May 7, 1843, as well as the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.”  

The term “Asian American” was first used in 1968 to encourage a shared sense of identity among individuals of Asian origins, and in recent years has been used as a call for collective activism. As stated by History, “The AAPI umbrella term includes cultures from the entire Asian continent – including East, Southeast, and South Asian—and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.” The AAPI community includes over 50 ethnicities and individuals who speak more than 100 languages.  

While one of the smallest ethnic and racial groups across the U.S., the Asian (non-Hispanic) population in Santa Clara County (SCC) is the fastest growing group. Research from USA Facts shows that from 2010 to 2022, the Asian (non-Hispanic) segment of the population increased to 40.7% of the total population in SCC.  

As many residents of  SCC may identify as one of the AAPI ethnic identities, AAPI Heritage Month is a great way to celebrate the unique cultures and heritage of many of our colleagues, friends, and neighbors. Some ways to observe AAPI Heritage Month includes buying from an AAPI-owned business, eating at an AAPI owned restaurant, participating in AAP-related community events, or even watching an AAPI film or TV show.  

This May, acknowledge the cultural diversity and nuance that exists within the AAPI community, as well as  recognize all the sacrifices made by past and present Asian American and Pacific Islander immigrants. 

To learn about other ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, speak with a Community Resource Specialist: (408) 350-3200, option 1.  

With the increasing population of older adults in California, the Master Plan for Aging (MPA) projects there will be 10.8 million individuals 60 years of age or older by 2030. “This plan is intended to be a living document for years to come,” stated Governor Newsom. In partnership with the Governor and the Legislator, California has made historic budgetary investments in programs and policies to support older adults, individuals with disabilities, and family caregivers to prepare our great state for 2030 when one in four Californians will be 60 years of age or older. 

On January 25, 2024, the Third MPA Annual Report was released. In its third year of implementation, the MPA continues to move forward, gathering tireless support from partners across all sectors of California.  

This MPA Annual Report highlights significant advancements made across the MPA’s Five Bold Goals, including: 

• Housing for All Ages and Stages – Californians will live where they choose as they age in communities that are age-, disability, and dementia-friendly, including climate- and disaster-ready. 

• Health Reimagined – Californians will have access to the services they need to live at home in their communities and to optimize their health and quality of life. 

• Inclusion and Equity, Not Isolation – Californians will have lifelong opportunities for work, volunteering, engagement, and leadership and will be protected from isolation, discrimination, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. 

• Caregiving that Works – Californians will be prepared for and supported through the rewards and challenges of caring for aging loved ones. 

• Affording Aging – Californians will have economic security for as long as they live. 

As the designated Area Agency on Aging for Santa Clara County (SCC), Sourcewise is required to develop a comprehensive needs assessment meant to identify the unmet needs of older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers in SCC.  

To learn about the identified priorities for older adults and aging services in SCC, speak with a Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1.  

As the flowers bloom and the weather warms, many of us eagerly welcome the arrival of spring which commonly brings spring allergies.  

Due to increased rainfall, this year’s allergies may pose an even greater risk to older adults. Mayo Clinic explains that rainfall can lead to the growth of mold and pollen, which can alter allergy symptoms. It is important to adopt effective strategies to alleviate allergy symptoms and minimize their impact on daily life. 

Unfortunately, older adults may often juggle multiple health conditions and medications which can obscure the diagnosis and complicate the management of seasonal allergies. According to AgingCare, older adults may have pre-existing diseases or take medications that mask allergy symptoms or worsen allergic reactions. Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or respiratory issues can also cause further complications. 

Luckily, there are proactive measures older adults can take. Medical News Today emphasizes the importance of identifying allergy triggers. These may include staying indoors during peak pollen hours, using air purifiers, and keeping windows closed to prevent allergens from entering your home. 

AgingCare suggests consulting healthcare professionals for proper diagnosis and treatment. Since older adults may be more susceptible to adverse effects from allergy medications, it is essential to find the right balance between symptom relief and potential side effects. Healthcare providers may recommend suitable antihistamines, nasal sprays, or allergy shots tailored to your needs. 

By implementing targeted strategies for allergy prevention and management, we can embrace the spring season with confidence and ease.  

To learn more on how to manage allergies, speak with a Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1, or email community@mysourcewise.com 

In September 2023, Sandra was unfortunately hospitalized. During Sandra’s hospital stay, she was given an iPhone by her daughter to stay connected with each other. Sandra’s new iPhone was working fine until it died one day, resulting in all her contacts disappearing from her address book. Sandra was devastated and was unsure how to restore all lost contacts.  

Fortunately, not too long after that incident, Sandra was enrolled in the Digital Connections (DC) Program by Sourcewise, where she was able to learn how to use an iPad through technical support and training. Sandra claims, “I have significant eye trouble, so having this iPad is wonderful for my sight because I can see things that were too small on the iPhone. As I have  learned how to use the iPad, I have come to love it. It’s amazing how something like this piece of technology has become a major part of my life. I am homebound, so it has opened an entire new world online.” 

With Sandra being homebound, she specifically uses her loaned iPad for online grocery shopping. She is also a big football fan and likes all teams, so Sandra’s daughter installed the ESPN app on the iPad which allows Sandra to watch football games at her fingertips.  

“One of the things I am excited to learn next is how to attend meetings virtually. I live in a mobile home park that is resident-owned with a board of directors and I am no longer able to travel to in-person meetings. My trainer through Community Tech Network (CTN) will be showing me how to use Zoom on our next session. I also want to learn how to use the iPad to schedule virtual doctor appointments. Sourcewise has been so wonderful, the staff at CTN as well, and the iPad has been perfect for my situation,” states Sandra. Since December 2023, she has been one of the participants of the DC Program.  

To learn more about the DC Program by Sourcewise, speak with a Community Resource Specialist: (408) 350-3200, option 1.  

The term “sandwich generation” refers to young to middle-aged adults who are simultaneously raising children and supporting their aging parents. Typically, people in their 40s are most likely to fall in the sandwich generation. According to Mental Health America, about a quarter of U.S. adults (23%) are part of the sandwich generation. 

Raising children and caring for an aging parent separately can take a lot of time and energy on their own. If you are caught in the middle trying to do both simultaneously, it can feel impossible to make time for anything else. A few common stressors that sandwich-generation caregivers may face include little to no personal time, family conflict, and dealing with complex emotions.  

Some tips to provide support for the sandwich-generation caregiver:   

• Do not be afraid or intimidated to ask for help whether it be from family, friends, or even your employer. 
• Be realistic about what help you can provide; do not take on more duties than you can handle. 
• Speaking to someone about what you are going through is often one of the best ways of healing. Remember, you are not alone. If you have siblings, reach out to them for assistance, or contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for assistance with finding caregiver support groups. 

Being a sandwich-generation caregiver can be exhausting, expensive, and emotional. Every caregiver and caregiving situation is unique. Learn how to manage this responsibility and take care of yourself, too.  

To learn more on how to manage your caregiving responsibilities and ensure you are prioritizing your well-being as a caregiver, speak with a Community Resource Specialist: (408) 350-3200, option 1.