In an interview, Feng Lizhen, the head of the Aging Mastery Program (AMP) at the Anleju organization, discussed the newly launched course aimed at helping seniors enhance their knowledge across various professional fields. This initiative, the first of its kind in the U.S. to offer AMP in Chinese, focuses on empowering older adults to lead fulfilling and enriched lives by learning about physical and mental health, interpersonal relationships, financial management, and more.
With over 35 years of experience at the Chinatown Public Health Bureau, Feng is well-versed in the needs of seniors. She noted, “Fifty years ago, the average life expectancy for older adults was around 60. Today, thanks to advancements in science and improvements in quality of life, individuals can expect to live approximately 19 years post-retirement at age 65, with many living even longer. The question then becomes: how can they make the most of these additional years?”
The National Council on Aging recognized the need for seniors to appreciate and add value to their lives, leveraging the benefits and opportunities that come with longer lifespans. Consequently, they established the AMP courses for those aged 55 and older. Since its inception in 2013, over 30,000 participants have enrolled, with an impressive 80% to 90% expressing satisfaction with the knowledge gained in areas like physical health, mental health, and building interpersonal relationships.
Beginning in 2021, Anleju expanded the AMP to include English and Spanish courses, and recently introduced the Chinese version, making it the first organization in the U.S. to offer these courses in Chinese. The program comprises ten classes, during which participants engage in consultations to learn new skills that can be translated into actionable plans for daily living. Topics covered include physical health, mental health, financial management, and interpersonal skills. Notably, five classes focus on physical health, discussing important aspects such as healthy eating, the significance of exercise, sleep, fall prevention, and medication management.
Feng emphasized the importance of social connections for seniors, who can often feel lonely or depressed. The program encourages participants to cultivate healthy relationships and to seek help from friends when needed. Moreover, seniors are also taught financial management strategies, including advance planning for their finances and estate, ensuring that their children face fewer burdens in the future.
To enhance interaction between instructors and participants, each course is limited to 15 to 20 individuals, with the next session set to begin after the Lunar New Year. Anleju currently operates seven day care centers in the Bay Area, located in San Francisco, Fremont, and Santa Clara County, providing comprehensive care services for seniors. For more information about Anleju’s home care, medical services, meal delivery, transportation, or physical therapy, interested individuals can call (866) 526-9622 or scan the QR code on the World Journal advertisement.
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