Impact Areas
Stereotyped as the “model minority” – the myth that AAPIs are the highest-income, best-educated racial group in the country, with few, if any, needs – the unique challenges faced by AAPI older adults in accessing long-term services and supports, or LTSS, are often misunderstood and invisible. In addition, AAPI older adults suffer from discrimination that is different from other diverse elders. In some cases, they are denied access to LTSS, jobs, and other resources because of limited English proficiency or citizenship status. The relationships we have developed with AAPI communities over the past 38 years and our extensive direct service to AAPI older adults have allowed us to identify their unique needs and focus on the specific characteristics of AAPI elders where opportunities to improve their quality of life are possible.