In an engaging interview, Lisa Feng, the head of the Age Mastery Program (AMP) at Anleju, highlighted the transformative potential of their newly launched Chinese course aimed at seniors. “As the first institution in the United States to offer the AMP program in Chinese, we empower older adults to enhance their knowledge and enrich their lives,” she explained. The curriculum covers essential topics such as physical and mental health, interpersonal relationships, and financial management, all designed to help seniors lead fulfilling and vibrant lives.
Having served for 35 years at the Chinatown Public Health Center, Lisa has extensive experience in working with seniors. She reflects on the dramatic changes over the past 50 years, noting that life expectancy has increased significantly. “Fifty years ago, the average life span for seniors was around 60 years. Today, with advances in science and improved quality of life, many retirees can expect to live an additional 19 years after retiring at 65, with some living even longer. The question then becomes: how do we make the most of these additional years?”
The National Council on Aging recognized the importance of helping seniors appreciate and maximize the benefits and opportunities available to them in later life, which is why they developed the AMP program targeting those aged 55 and older. Since its inception in 2013, over 30,000 participants have joined the program, with 80% to 90% reporting satisfaction and newfound knowledge about various important aspects of life.
In 2021, Anleju expanded its offerings to include AMP courses in English and Spanish, and the recent introduction of the Chinese version marks another milestone. Participants engage in ten comprehensive classes that focus on transitioning newfound skills into actionable plans for daily living. Course content spans essential areas, including physical health, mental well-being, financial management, and building social connections. Five of the sessions specifically address physical health topics, such as healthy eating, the importance of exercise, sleep management, fall prevention, and medication management.
Recognizing the prevalent feelings of loneliness and depression among older adults, the program also teaches participants how to cultivate healthy social relationships and encourages seeking help from friends when needed. Moreover, financial management education equips seniors with the skills to plan for their future financial security, such as arranging wills or trust funds, thereby alleviating the burden on their children.
To foster interaction between instructors and seniors, each course is limited to 15-20 participants, with new sessions scheduled to commence after the Lunar New Year next year. Anleju currently operates seven daytime care centers in the Bay Area, located in San Francisco, Fremont, and Santa Clara County, offering comprehensive care services for seniors. For more information on Anleju’s home care, medical services, meal delivery, transportation, or physical therapy offerings, interested individuals can call (866) 526-9622 or scan the QR code in the World Journal advertisement.
