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Indo-Americans in Senior Years |
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D R A F T
Issues, Aspirations, and Options for Indo-Americans in Senior Years
The life in Retirement and issues related to it for Indo-American seniors was the subject of this 2-day conference organized by an enthusiastic group called ‘My Heritage’ in Artesia, CA. on February 19th and 20th 2005.
A group of 75 attendees, about 2/3rd from California and others from New York, Maryland, Illinois, Wisconsin and Virginia gathered in southern California in late February to learn every thing they wanted to know about issues, concerns and possible options they would have to choose from as they enter into the golden years of life after their retirement. Many among those who came to this country for the first time in 60’s and 70’s and whose children are now married and/or living in different parts of this country, are now thinking and wondering about their retirement years and among many, the first obvious question that comes to their mind is where are we going to retire; in this country where we made our home or retire back in the old country where we came from as young adults some 30-40 years ago. At the end of the conference, majority of the attendees were very satisfied, feeling optimistic and enthusiastic about their future years after collecting wealth of information about aging and how to stay healthy bodily and financially, and about which housing alternatives they would have to select from in their golden years of retirement.
The conference covered 6 major topics of concern to most of the Indo-Americans, the majority being in the 60 plus age group. These are:
1. Health Issues related to Aging, Prevention and Diet
2. Financial Support: State and Federal Government health Programs, such as Medi--Cal (California State), Social Security and Medicare (federal) programs.
3. Health, Life and Long Term care Insurance options
4. Legal and financial issues
5. Retirement Housing Alternatives: USA or India or elsewhere; Assisted Living Communities, Nursing homes etc.
6. Recreation and Life style Changes
The morning session on the first day of the conference was devoted to Aging and Health related issues. Dr.Vikram Kamdar and Dr. James Davis, professors from UCLA School of Medicine, delineated the process of aging and common disease conditions of the elders such as diabetes, heart conditions and Alzheimer’s with emphasis on measures for prevention. Dr.Archana Shende, an Internal Medicine physician specialized in Geriatric Medicine dealt at length with Women’s health issues such as menopause, osteoporosis, cancers and the long term care. Ms. Latika Mangrulkar, a Social worker and Psychotherapist from Michigan, addressed the social and psychological challenges and the inter-cultural dynamics of the aging population in this adopted land.
Mr. Frank Van Strand of the Southern California Social Security Administration office explained the rules and regulations as these apply to the US residents of foreign origin with some very helpful information on the various benefits available to US citizens when they choose to retire within or outside USA.
The afternoon session presented by Mr. George Veath of Sigma Financial was devoted to Financial Planning with much desired information regarding Living trust, Probate and how to avoid estate duty taxes etc.
The evening presentation after dinner included a 45 minute documentary film “Neither Milk nor Yogurt” produced and directed by Miss. Arti Jain which revolved around a touching experience of Mrs. Saroj Dave, a lady from Gujerat who after living for 40 plus years in the U.S. decided to return to India for retirement where she faced unique problems of assimilation and readjustment to Indian life style. This was a touching experience as it struck a cord with many of the attendees who shared their personal experiences of living in the duality of cultures.
Second day opened with presentations by Mr. Raj Prasad and Dr. Samir Datta, office bearers of a New York group, National Indo-American Association of Senior Citizens (NIAASC) who presented their experiences in initiating an organization to guide and assist seniors of Indian origin with personal issues of health and financial matters etc.
“Best is Yet to Come”, an inspiring session presented by Mr. Joe Sturliono, conveyed a thought that “youth is not the greatest resource, but a society’s elders are when the 77 million baby boomers will enter into retirement and change the definition of Senior Citizens to high spirited elders. Ms.Vidya Sapre, one of the organizers of this conference, highlighted in her presentation that there are numerous paths available for those who are willing to seek more fulfillment in their twilight years, ranging from work in the Peace Corps to helping the needy within one’s immediate community.
The afternoon of the second day was devoted to bring the participants to express their own thoughts and ideas of retirement in four breakout sessions where following topics were discussed.
1. Retiring in India
2. Retiring in an Assisted Living Community designed for Indo-Americans in the USA
3. Activities and Passions after Retirement, and
4. Issues and Concerns of living after retirement / what we want to know more about.
The attendees in each session actively participated and interacted with their ideas, expressed their concerns and shared thoughts as to how we should find answers to them. The hottest topic of interest to all was about retirement and housing alternatives in the USA. Is there a possibility to have a retirement community in the USA, preferably in a warmer climate, designed especially to meet the needs of the first generation of Indo–American immigrants in this country. Two earlier presentations on the subject, one by Mrs. Bala Iyer who presented her dream plans for such a facility in California, and second one by Mr.Uday Purushe, a practicing architect from Maryland who had personally designed and built an “Assisted Living facility” in Virginia, raised the level of interest and generated many more questions about what to expect from such a community to fulfill the needs of the people seeking retirement in this country. Mrs. Lata Deshpande, a wheelchair bound attendee from Maryland, during one of the earlier sessions, had shared her personal experience of living in such a facility. According to her the biggest problem she faced every day was not getting the Indian food of her personal choice. Three of the greatest concerns expressed were 1) to be able to have Indian food of their choice 2) preferably have a place of worship for their personal faith (a Hindu Temple) within the premises and 3) have social, intellectual and recreational enrichment of choice on a daily basis.
Another breakout session “Retirement in India” was also a highly debated session.
A presentation by Mr.Vijay Sabnis on the first day of the conference on this subject, provoked significant discussions among participants to consider many opportunities to volunteer in India and have a chance to achieve a personal fulfillment of having been able to help people in one’s country of origin.
In summary, this conference, being the first one of its own kind on the subject organized again after over 10 years, aroused a great deal of optimism and interest among the first generation Indo-Americans as they prepare themselves for the retirement phase of their life. A general consensus of opinion among most of them was to continue a dialog on this subject to better understand our needs as we enter those precious golden years of retirement and help us attain the ultimate satisfaction of having achieved total satisfaction of a successful life in America.
Ashok Gore,
Tustin, California.
October 19, 2005
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