For Bay Area Chinese speakers over 55 years of age, the Aging Mastery Program in Chinese is an opportunity to discuss and learn about topics that may be uppermost on their mind but culturally difficult to discuss, from financial fitness to healthy relationships.

“We have a large number of Chinese-speaking immigrants in the Bay Area, but there is not a lot of information in Chinese on topics such as advance directives and mental health,” said program facilitator Lei-Chun Fung. “Also, many say they feel uncomfortable talking to their children about personal finances or honoring their wishes when they cannot make their own decisions anymore.”

When On Lok launched AMP, in January 2021, the workshop was available in English and Spanish. “To meet our commitment to inclusivity and the growing number of requests for Chinese AMP, On Lok approached the National Council on Aging, which created the program, to develop a Chinese version,” said Valorie Villela, who has facilitated the workshop in both languages. And one of our donors covered the cost of translating all workshop materials in Chinese. Launched in partnership with OMI Senior Center, Chinese AMP graduated its first cohort in the fall.

Over 10 weeks, AMP participants attended in-person sessions taught by a faculty of experts, including On Lok’s own chief medical officer, Dr. Ben Lui, gaining skills to make the most of their longevity. The curriculum focused on exercise and fall prevention, nutrition and hydration, happy, healthy, safe, and socialized long life, we need to act on what we learned. I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to On Lok, National Council on Aging and OMI Catholic Charities for Chinese AMP.”

Lei-Chun said, “People seemed to really appreciate being able to ask questions and share their own stories with peers, in an intimate and confidential setting. All this is quite new for this population. The workshop was so well received that we had to put people on a waiting list for the next one.”

John Yam is one of the first participants to graduate from this version of the workshop. “The sessions provided very precious information that will be useful for our entire life,” he said. “In addition, I learned how to practice deep breathing and meditation, which we did at the beginning of each session to relax. In order to have a happy, healthy, safe, and socialized long life, we need to act on what we learned. I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to On Lok, National Council on Aging and OMI Catholic Charities for Chinese AMP.”

To learn more, contact Nicole Malik, Aging Mastery Program Manager, at 415-406-3637 or agingmasteryprogram@onlok.org.