ASIA, INC. RECEIVES GRANT FROM MCGREGOR FUND TO ADDRESS DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE IN AGING SENIORS

Cleveland, OH – Asian Services In Action, Inc. (ASIA, Inc.) announced today that the McGregor Foundation, whose mission is to support seniors in need and those who serve them in Cuyahoga County, awarded the organization a grant that will provide support to address the high rates of depression and suicide within the Asian American aging senior population.

The McGregor Foundation funding will provide continued support for the Asian Senior Empowerment Program, serving 400 low-income, limited English proficient (LEP) older Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) through case management and service coordination that links participating seniors with mainstream community resources and services.

“Linguistic and cultural barriers prevent older Asian adults from accessing social services, healthcare, and more,” says Michael Byun, ASIA, Inc. CEO. “Too often, they remain socially isolated with limited support systems to help them with the acculturation process.”

According to American Society on Aging, suicide is a serious concern for older Asian adults. Asian American senior women have the highest suicide rate -6.01 per 100,000- of any racial group among older adult women of all racial-ethnic. Similarly, Asian American male suicide rates reach their peak in 65 and older.

In the same way, depression, one of the most prevalent health issues worldwide, is the most common disorder among older Asian adults. Korean American experience the highest cases of depression at 44.8%. Japanese Americans, Chinese Americans and the general Asian senior population come in at 20%, 18% and 12.7% respectively.

For more information about Asian Senior Empowerment Program, contact Susan Wong at susan.wong@asiaohio.org or 216-881-0330 Ext. 8820.

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Asian Services In Action, Inc. (ASIA)

Founded in 1995, and serving the community for 20 years, ASIA is the largest organization providing culturally and linguistically relevant health and human services to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), and others who face cultural barriers. Our mission is to provide AAPIs access to quality culturally, and linguistically appropriate information and services. For more information about ASIA, visit www.asiaohio.org or at @asiaohio.

The McGregor Foundation

Established in 2002 as a private grant making foundation, The McGregor Foundation evolved from a history of more than 125 years of providing distinguished care for seniors at the A. M. McGregor Home in East Cleveland and the Amasa Stone House in the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland.  The Foundation’s mission is to support seniors in need and those who serve them in Cuyahoga County.