Posts in category: blog

This year, 2020, is the year of the Census in the United States.  Every person living in the United States is counted.  The number of people living in each state, county and city determines the distribution of Federal resources and funding for programs and services.  

Due to the pandemic and the current political climate, completing the Census is more challenging than usual.  Fortunately, the deadline for completing the Census is Oct. 31, 2020, and Sacramento County has approximately 67% completed. 

Sacramento is a unique county; it has urban areas, such as the City of Sacramento, Elk Grove and Folsom, to rural areas, such as Isleton and Wilton. Each person being counted in each area is important because it determines the amount of Federal funding allocated to our area for hospitals, roads, transportation, emergency grants, education, etc. For older adults, the Census count determines funding for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and housing assistance. For our children, the Census determines funding for early childhood programs such as Head Start, free or reduced-price lunches at school, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. It is critical that everyone in every part of Sacramento County is counted! 

As of May 4, 2020, only 27.66% of the AAPI population in Sacramento County completed the Census. When filling out the Census, count every single individual in the household, from newborns to older adults. Everyone. The person filling out the Census form does not have to be related to everyone living in the household.  Sometimes, people will only report certain family members, because they think being a relative is a requirement and blended families or mixed-immigration status families do not qualify. Everyone living in the home counts in the Census.  We need your help to get the word out about the Census and ensure everyone is counted.

To make sure people are completing the Census, the Census Bureau usually sends out workers who walk door-to-door and ask people to complete the Census. This year, the Census Bureau is prioritizing the health and safety of the public and its employees and will not require any interaction with the public.  The Census workers will NOT ring doorbells or collect data through interpersonal conversation.

Instead, a Census worker may leave a questionnaire at the front door with instructions on how to respond.  It will give a helpful reminder that there are three ways to be counted:

• Online at 2020census.gov
• Call toll-free (4:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. PST) at (844) 330-2020
• Return the paper form in the provided
  envelope

If people complete their Census form promptly, they can avoid having a worker visit their home.  Anyone who attempts to talk to you about completing the Census may be a scammer; they’re only supposed to leave information.

If anyone thinks the person at the door is a scammer, he or she should notify the local police. People may also call 1-800-923-8282 to access help in 13 different languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese and Japanese. Organizations throughout Sacramento are ready to provide translation or interpretation services to anyone who may need help completing the survey.  You may call ACC Senior Services at (916) 394-6399 ext. 121, if you would like help completing the Census.

By Yee Moua, Social Services Manager, ACC Care Center

Despite the stress that COVID-19 put on ACC, the ACC Care Center brought laughter and high spirits to their residents and their family members by holding a series of parades around Mother’s Day. The parades were held on May 8th, 10th and 11th. We had the challenging task of abiding by strict coronavirus guidelines to keep residents safe, while giving each resident’s family members the opportunity to participate. 

Since the second week of March, all the nursing homes throughout the state of California, including ACC Care Center, have enforced the shelter-in-place and COVID-19 mitigations. As seen throughout the nation, there were breakouts in skilled nursing facilities and announcements that senior citizens are identified as an at-risk group. The primary purpose for the shelter-in-place is to protect the senior residents from potential exposure to COVID-19. Through this challenging time, so-called nonessential visitors, including family members, are not permitted to come into the facility.  

ACC Care Center follows the strict guidelines issued by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and CDPH (California Department of Public Health). Special circumstances are required for those family who may visit. For example, family may visit upon review from administration when the resident has actively declined in condition (non-related to COVID-19) or is receiving hospice care. As for our residents and their family members who could not visit, precious time passed without actual physical visitations. The ACC Care Center team brainstormed ideas to meet the psychosocial needs of the residents and also follow the COVID-19 guidelines.

For instance, the Beauty Shop was converted to a video conference room where families can arrange for Skype video calls with residents. Special window visits are permitted upon arrangements with management. Consistent assignment was implemented between each neighborhood lane (unit) for infection control purposes, yet establishing continued rapport of caregivers and frontline staff. The Activities department implemented special activities which are individualized to each resident, provided room visits for socializations while residents and staff wore face masks and practiced social distancing. 

After nearly seven weeks without seeing their families and loved ones, the ACC Care Center staff organized Family Drive-through Parades. ACC Care Center Administrator Tamara Kario commented that “in the midst of this pandemic, the goal of hosting these parades is to bridge our residents with their families while still maintaining social distancing.”  The parades were held on multiple days to accommodate the residents and their family members. Invitations went out two weeks prior to the parades, allowing family members time to RSVP. This allowed each resident to take part on a particular day and time and reunited residents with their loved ones from a distance. 

The cars were decorated in colorful balloons, had signs with positive messages, streamers, and window paint. The residents, families and staff showed their enthusiasm in the parade. Some memorable moments were when family members waved cheerfully through the moon roof of a car and the therapy team loaded staff onto a pick-up truck bed to cheer on the crowd. For the residents, family members made heartwarming messages and banners in different languages. Music, water, and drinks were provided to residents. The residents also enjoyed throwing water balloons at the staff cars and the ACC company truck. Participants also used noisemakers and honked their cars, which pumped up the energy of the audience. 

The turnout was astounding during all three days and everyone was in high spirits. Many residents and family members smiled, laughed, and cried tears of joy when they saw each other. Even though it was from a distance, it was emotional yet reassuring seeing their loved ones were safe and being able to talk to one another. Through experiencing these drive-through parades, it was assuring for residents and families to physically see their loved ones.  

The ACC Care Center staff was very supportive of these parades. Every department collaborated to make these parades special. The staff also enjoyed the festivities of the parades along with the residents and the family members. Even during these challenging times, the ACC Care Center continues to make every effort to not only keep the residents safe but also happy.

The answer is: We will continue to provide services.  While at this writing we do not have in-person services, we are working on how to make that happen. All departments are consulting Department of Public Health guidelines and developing new policies and procedures that ensure safety and social distancing. We need to hear your ideas. Please complete the survey below.

Utilities Education & Assist-ance Program. Susan Sarinas is still assisting people with utility bills. With so many people unemployed and worrying about payments, Susan has been extra busy. ACC’s contract to provide this free service was renewed as of June 1. This program is for everyone, not just seniors, so be sure to contact her at ssarinas@accsv.org or 916-393-9026 x 339 to see how she can help lower your Internet or TV bill as well as phone or PG&E bill. 

Bridge to Healthy Families Caregiver Support Program led by Soojin Yoo, MSW, works with family caregivers via phone, email, US mail, and Zoom. She has been maintaining our support groups by email, and they are now transitioning to using Zoom. Soojin also plans to teach a “Powerful Tools for Caregiver” series in the near future. Will it be online? Maybe. Email her for more information syoo@accsv.org.

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). Staffers Jeri, Peggy, and Haroon are also busy providing service remotely. Our participants must prove their program eligibility annually and complete education/development tasks biannually. Providing documentation is difficult for seniors without smart phones, computers, and copying machines and who don’t have cars.  Staff are doing their best to overcome these challenges. Expect changes to the office as the team plans on installing plexiglass or other barriers and making other social distancing changes.

Lifelong Learning & Well-ness Program (LLWP) is the community program that has been hit the hardest as most everything has paused. We do have one meditation class online and are planning a yoga class. The pickleball group may be our first activity to return to ACC.  Susan will have a Zoom session with instructors to discuss changes to classes. LLWP is in the same category as “community centers” in the phases of re-opening California. 

ACC Rides has re-started “essential rides” to grocery stores and medical appointments. Of course, we utilize strict safety measures. Everyone must wear PPE (personal protective equipment). Vehicles are sanitized after every ride and each evening, and these safety measures take time. Because we have some drivers on leave and no volunteers, we cannot provide transportation at our pre-COVID capacity—for now. However, staff have been busy. They contacted 3,000+ riders in the database for a wellness check. They help Meals on Wheels and Great Plates deliver food. Two drivers recently went above and beyond. In addition to Hoa Tran saving a senior’s life (see article on page 6), a driver, Keng Thor, put out a vehicle fire on 1-5. Kudos to our hero drivers!

By Darrick Lam,
President and CEO,
ACC Senior Services

Black lives matter. The senseless killing of George Floyd and others by the police shows that bigotry and discrimination against African Americans will keep growing unless we step outside of our comfort zone and take real action. 

I’ve talked to many ACC employees who are outraged, hurt, and threatened by this latest round of police brutality, especially those who have experienced unbridled prejudice in the past.  I believe ACC needs to explore ways to break its silence and join the worldwide community to condemn the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and other African Americans. We cannot continue to tolerate the deaths that have shocked the nation’s conscience or the bigotry and discrimination that foster it.  

Today, many people, including victims of violence, are afraid to call the police, fearing that more harm than good will result. As a trained social worker, I agree with the view that policing alone cannot solve the underlying causes of social problems.  

Thousands of protesters marched in downtown Sacramento on June 6, 2020. More than 750 cities in U.S. held protests since the killing of George Floyd. 

You might wonder what this has to do with our mission to care for seniors. Seniors, too, can be victims of discrimination, violence, and abuse. If we focus only on what we consider “our business,” then it becomes easier for destructive forces to divide and harm us. When our neighbors are fighting for social justice, we must step in and support their fight to be treated with the same dignity and respect due to every person. Protests around the world in the wake of Mr. Floyd’s death are a catalyst for populist change and we have an opportunity to be part of this change.

I fully agree with an article published by TIME Magazine on June 9^th that “lasting change won’t happen without actively deconstructing our beliefs about race…in order to make social and economic change in a society rife with institutional racism, it’s not enough to not be racist, but rather people need to be actively anti-racist. For many people learning how to be a helpful ally, the best place to start is educating themselves and listening.” 

We often use our own culture and values as a measuring stick to determine how and why we treat people the way we do. We forget to ask ourselves, “How does this person want to be treated, not based on my values and culture, but theirs?” Or, “Do I even know their culture and values well enough to know if I’m treating them with respect?” These questions are the basis of ethical human interaction. We all need to learn, to grow, and to fully appreciate other people. 

We can begin our fight for social justice by asking ourselves these questions:  

• How can we help African Americans and other communities of color obtain justice? 
• What can we do to reduce implicit biases, racial injustice, and inequality in our institutions, not just law enforcement? 
• How can we protect the rights of all our citizens regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, age, or country of origin? 
• What can we do to invest in our community to educate our young and old, fight racism, and give would-be victims new life-changing opportunities?

It’s time for ACC to take real action and join our neighbors in support of causes that address racial violence in this country.  Please let me know if you would like to join me in this long overdue fight for social justice. For those who are interested in a dialogue, please email your comments or questions to info@accsv.org.

By Poonie Holst

The 2020 Census determines how congressional seats are allocated and how billions of Federal dollars reach communities across America. Money for schools, child care programs, roads, social services, and healthcare for seniors gets allocated based on population. The census takes place every ten years. So being counted is consequential and quite lasting.

The senior population in Sacramento has increased dramatically due to the aging of baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964. From 2010 to 2020, the number of people 60 years and older in Sacramento County grew from 225,000 to just under 350,000. By 2030, the number will grow to just under 450,000.

ACC Senior Services co-chairs Sacramento County’s 2020 Census Older Adults and Veterans Committee with AARP to inform older adults and veterans about the census, which starts on April 1.  The Sacramento Region Community Foundation gave ACC funding to hire a Census Coordinator to conduct outreach, make presentations, host events and talk to as many people as possible about the Census. Our goal is to make sure older adults and veterans are counted.

ACC Senior Services will host a Question Assistance Center during its regular business hours from March 12 to April 30 for people who need assistance completing their Census or have questions about the Census.  

ACC Greenhaven Terrace, located at 1180 Corporate Way, Sacramento, will host a Question Assistance Kiosk (QAK), which provides a computer for looking up answers and completing the Census on-line from March 12 to April 30 from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Meals on Wheels will also host two QAKs:

Light of the Valley Church located at 9270 Bruceville Road, Elk Grove, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The Comstock located at 1725 K Street, Sacramento, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

In addition, ACC will host three Census 101 workshops that will discuss the Census and how it impacts California and the Sacramento region, the three ways to complete the Census, and how to identify someone using the Census to scam you. 

The Census 101 workshops will be held on: Wednesday, April 1, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.  Refreshments and party food to celebrate the first day of the Census will be provided.

Friday, April 10, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.

Tuesday, April 21, from 12:30 -1:30 p.m.  Light refreshments will be provided.

These workshops will be held at ACC Main Campus, 7334 Park City Drive. To register, call (916) 934-6399 or pholst@accsv.org.

ACC is pleased to announce the introduction of “Independent Living Deluxe” at ACC Greenhaven Terrace. The program provides a host of hospitality services to GT’s independent living residents.

Launched on February 1, 2020, “IL Deluxe” offers two levels of service, Basic and Enhanced. Both include weekly bed linen service, four light housekeeping visits per month, meals, transportation, and  daily touch-base check-ins. The Enhanced package provides a greater frequency of these services for residents who have higher needs. 

“The program is wonderful and it’s great for seniors,” says resident Mitzi Erath. “The housekeeping has been the most helpful to me.”

IL Deluxe was developed by Yesenia Jones, Administrator at ACC Greenhaven Terrace. She hosted focus groups, surveying residents and family members to establish their needs. From there she worked with the ACC Greenhaven Terrace  Committee to build the Independent Living Deluxe Packages. 

“Our experience with assisted living at ACC Greenhaven Terrace inspired us to create more value for our independent living residents,” says Yesenia. “And so far, they’re liking it!” 

For more information and rates for IL Deluxe, call (916) 395-0210 or email byamada@accsv.org.