How Immigrants Age in a Foreign Country?

How immigrants age in a foreign country?

Moving to a new country at a younger age is аlways easier than moving at an older age. Younger people get used to a new culture much quicker, but what about seniors? I know that some elderly move with their kids without no doubt, while others are afraid to move even with their kids and prefer to stay at home. Why does it happen? Why do some of the seniors choose to stay at their house while the rest of their family moves to another country? What are they afraid of? Let’s look at what are some of the reasons.

My family and I moved to the United States in 2014, but only with my close family: my father, mother and my sister. We always wanted to have one of our grandmother living with us in the US, but she said that though she loves and misses us constantly, she would never leave Russia and come to the United States to live with us. Because my grandmother didn’t want to live with us in the US, I asked her why? The most concerning thing that she was worried about was the new foreign country with the language that she doesn’t speak. Of course, she could come and live with us in the same house, but she understands that during the week everyone would be busy with school and work, so she would have to stay alone by herself. In Russia, she has a circle of friends that live by. My grandmother can socialize with them, have a tea time, go for a walk, shop at stores, go to the library or attend an art class. The things that she is busy with in Russia will not be open to her in a new foreign country, because of the language barrier and other traditions that a new country has.

While speaking about senior living, I thought that it would be good to develop senior clubs for the immigrant seniors that could feel more confident in moving to a new country with their families. Having a piece of their culture and language in a new country would help them still be active and happy. They can also slowly adapt to the new traditions of the country they will be living in with there family.          

Aging Affects Everyone, Including YOU

The physical, financial and physiological changes of aging don’t just affect the elderly community who experience these changes firsthand. These changes and the struggles that accompany them have an impact on everyone around them. This includes family, spouses, friends, neighbors and all communities they’re apart of.

That’s right, aging affects everyone, including YOU.

The condition of your neighborhood and your community has a direct impact on the aging process of the elderly. Older people typically experience higher levels of exposure to neighborhood conditions. They have more physical and mental health vulnerabilities compared to you and other younger adults, and are more likely to rely on community resources as a source of support.

Those community resources include YOU.

How you can assist the elderly in your community:

1.     Become a volunteer with Villages NW.

2.     Offer services such as housework, yard work and grocery shopping.

3.     Provide transportation.

4.     Take them to a local event provided by Villages NW.

5.     Donate to Villages NW.

Villages NW Events: http://villagesnw.org/our-villages/

Villages NW Volunteer Page: http://villagesnw.org/volunteer-2/

Villages NW Ways to Give Page: http://villagesnw.org/ways-to-give/

"You're Only as Old as You Feel"

According to new research, your attitude towards aging affects your mind and body. So regardless of your age, this research is worth paying attention to because how you view aging may have a direct result on your overall health.

The new research is a product of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin. The study found that attitudes, both positive and negative, affected physical and cognitive health later in life. Participants in the study who held positive outlooks towards aging experience improved cognitive abilities as they aged.

According to the lead researcher Deirdre Robertson, “The way we think about, talk about and write about aging may have direct effects on health. Everyone will grow older and if negative attitudes towards aging are carried throughout life they can have a detrimental, measurable effect on mental, physical and cognitive health.”

I don’t know about you, but I look forward to aging as long as Villages NW is still around to help me enjoy my last years in the comfort of my own home.

Here’s something to think about and to ask yourself:

·       What’s your attitude/perspective on aging?

Click HERE to view the full study.

Become a Volunteer Today!

OUR MISSION: “To enable more Pacific NW residents to successfully age in place by developing  and nurturing a network of sustainable, community-based Villages throughout the region.”

Villages NW is a new nonprofit organization in development in Portland, Oregon. Their mission and purpose can only be fulfilled if people like YOU step up to help. Villages NW is not a place, but rather a plan to assist seniors successfully and healthily age in their own homes instead of having to move into assistant living. Volunteers are the backbone of this operation.

“Volunteers provide most of the services, resources, and community activities that will allow Villages to offer a safety net and the peace of mind that make a positive difference in the lives of members.” – Villages NW Website

How to Get Involved:

·       Step 1: Click HERE to find your local village.

·       Step 2: Locate their volunteer page on their website.

·       Step 3: Fill out a volunteer application. Similar to the one found HERE.

·       Step 4: Someone from Villages NW will contact you with more information.

All volunteers are required to complete an application, meet with a Volunteer Team representative, pass background and reference checks and attend the necessary training.

For more information about Villages NW, click HERE to watch their ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors Stay Neighbors’ video.