Alzheimer’s help for Koreans

The newly launched Korean American Alzheimer’s Coalition (KAAC), the first of its kind in the city, will assist the Korean American community obtain needed services.
The coalition is a partnership between the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA), the Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, the Korean American Behavioral Health Association, Visiting Nurse Services and the Hamilton-Madison House. The launch was celebrated on Thursday, January 10 during an event held at Dae-Dong Manor in Flushing.
“Today’s launch of New York City’s first Korean American Alzheimer’s Coalition provides the Korean American community with a culturally competent network that will actively address the community’s educational, service and advocacy needs with regards to Alzheimer’s disease,” said DFTA Commissioner Edwin M/ndez-Santiago. “The Department for the Aging is dedicated to providing support services for those living with the disease, their families and caregivers, and in continuing to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other long-term care needs of New York’s growing and diverse senior community.”
According to its mission statement, “Korean American Alzheimer’s Coalition of New York City is dedicated to provide support for Korean adults with Alzheimer’s and related diseases, their families and professional caregivers; to act as a liaison between Korean families and service providers; and to improve the quality of life of all whose lives are affected by Alzheimer’s and related diseases.”
KAAC will be assisting those it serves through community outreach, public education, professional training, an annual conference, support group activities and information and referrals.
“Along with increased awareness comes the necessity of developing services that are culturally competent and ensuring that assistance will be accessible and provided in a manner that’s understood and appreciated by members of the Korean community,” said Robin Fenley, the Director of DFTA’s Alzheimer & Caregiver Resource Center.
The coalition is being chaired by Susan Cho. She said that the five organizations that have come together are “dedicated to giving the best services and effort for this coalition.”
For more information on the Korean American Alzheimer’s Coalition of New York City, call 212-609-1777. For more information on the Department for the Aging, visit www.nyc.gov/aging.