New York, NY–The Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter and the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation (also known as Tzu Chi USA) announce a new partnership aimed at increasing access to Alzheimer’s information and resources for Chinese-speaking communities across the five boroughs.
Tzu Chi—which has regional offices in Flushing, Queens—will engage its volunteers to deliver Alzheimer’s education in Chinese communities across New York City, while connecting people living with the disease and their caregivers to free resources and support services offered through the Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter.
Wan-Ling Hung, care and support program manager, Alzheimer’s Association, explains, "Coping with Alzheimer’s is difficult, but it’s even harder if you can’t get help in your native language. The Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter offers education programs and care consultations in Chinese to families and communities in New York. This partnership with Tzu Chi volunteers will help us significantly expand outreach and reduce barriers in order to provide quality care and support."
“The Alzheimer’s Association is excited to be working with Tzu Chi USA,” says Carl V. Hill, chief diversity and inclusion officer, Alzheimer’s Association. “This important partnership will help extend the Alzheimer’s Association reach into Chinese communities served by Tzu Chi USA, providing more families with care and support services, while engaging community volunteers.”
The Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter and Tzu Chi will focus on engaging volunteers in five key areas, including:
- Increasing concern and awareness of Alzheimer’s and other dementias
- Providing care and support programming to individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer’s
- Expanding research and scientific opportunities by inviting Tzu Chi volunteers to attend Alzheimer’s Association International Conference
- Participating in Walk to End Alzheimer’s and other community-based events
- Engaging Tzu Chi volunteers in the delivery of programs and activities
To kick-off the partnership, more than 60 Tzu Chi volunteers recently completed a four-week training program with four Alzheimer’s Association chapters, including New York City. The training included four core Alzheimer’s Association common programs translated into Mandarin Chinese. Trained volunteers will begin delivering programs in New York City later this year. Community groups interested in Alzheimer’s and dementia education programs can contact Tzu Chi directly at
sylvia_shi@tzuchi.us.
“The collaboration of Tzu Chi USA and the Alzheimer’s Association will expand awareness of Alzheimer's and other dementias that would be very helpful for aging Asian-American communities,” said Jackson Chen, Chief Executive Officer, Tzu Chi USA.
Currently, there are more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, including more than 410,00 in New York. While more white Americans are living with the disease, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are the fastest growing minority population group in the United States. Between 2010 and 2030, the AAPI older adult population is projected to increase by 145%. As this aging population increases, AAPI older adults face a public health crisis similar to older adults from other ethnic backgrounds, as age is the largest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
Tzu Chi USA
The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is a global non-profit humanitarian organization founded in 1966 by a Buddhist nun named Dharma Master Cheng Yen in Taiwan. Its missions of medicine, charity, education, and humanistic culture has brought relief to 122 countries and counting. In 1989, Tzu Chi USA was established and now has 65 offices across the US. The heart of Tzu Chi is embedded in its name: in Chinese, “tzu” means compassion and “chi,” relief.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.