Matters of Importance to NRI Seniors

In the absence of hard statistics it is difficult to know exact number of Indian-American seniors in USA. Based on projection of the 1990 census classification there are about 12% Indian-American seniors 60 years and older. That translates to about 300,000 seniors out of a population of about 2.5 million Indian- Americans.

In order to fully comprehend matters of importance to seniors one should know that the seniors in USA and other parts of the world, fall broadly in two categories, though a third category is also emerging. Seniors in each category face unique situations despite some semblance due to social, cultural and family values.

Categories of Seniors:
One category is of those immigrants who came to USA in late sixties or early seventies possibly some who came even before sixties. Almost all who migrated about 40 years back were professionals such as doctors, engineers and social workers. They followed their professional aspirations, raised their families and over a period of time became more or less mainstream Americans. People in this category, so called EARLY IMMIGRANTS have now reached the senior age of 60 and above. Many of them may still be working and soon will retire.

Another category is of those individuals who came to USA as seniors, almost all of them sponsored by their adult children or siblings. Encouraged by family reunification provisions, this group, so called RECENT IMMIGRANTS started coming in late eighties or nineties. The generous welfare provisions provided this group with all benefits that were heavily curtailed after August 22, 1996 due to Welfare Reforms Act. These recent immigrants by and large never worked in this country, did not raise their families or even sought independent living arrangements.

The emerging category of seniors is of those who can be labeled as SINGLE SENIORS. These are basically individuals who were widowed though some may be those who never got married or were divorced. Matters of Importance to each category of Seniors: Looking into matters of importance to seniors in each category now will reveal that there are distinct differences in each category. Starting with early immigrants, what matters most to them is:
* Financial independence after retirement, including maintenance of living standard: Majority of them did not perceive at an appropriate time of the situation they would be facing when they retire. Many were also not aware that there were professional groups and individuals who could help them in pre-planning their financial independence.
* Management of living arrangements conducive to their age and health: In other words, these people did not visualize that after certain age and status of their health and after their children have moved out and settled they would need a different kind of living arrangement such as retirement housing.
* Adequate and timely allocation and protection of their assets: If they had planned it when they started working, they could have enjoyed increasingly satisfying results of their assets after retirement.
* Conceptualizing a productive use of their professional knowledge and experience in order to have an opportunity of being a great professional resource to the society at large.
* Familiarity and adoption of 'End of Life' issues such as will, durable power of attorney, health proxy. Seniors in the category of recent immigrants, who primarily came to this country when they were already seniors, have some different matters of importance that need to be addressed. Majority of them are dependents, face problems of isolation, difficulties in communication particularly with Americans, negotiating transportation and mobility and financial insecurity. Unlike the early immigrants, this group of seniors may not be cognizant of some of their handicaps. What matters most to this group is to:
* Make efforts to assimilate with groups outside their immediate family and friends.
* Need to develop a cultural sensitivity to American History, cultural mores and consumerism as opposed to the typical recent immigrant tendency of just sticking to traditional way of life in India.
* Develop a social network of their peers to deal with isolation and loneliness.
* Comprehend the sensitiveness of their adult children and grand children who in all likelihood are used to a different way of life by virtue of growing up here as also by virtue of their different exposure.
* Utilize their rich and valuable experiences in
India for a much needed vacuum that may exist between them and early immigrants. These could be related to family values, social upbringing and heritage. This however requires an understanding of family conflicts and compromises.

The third emerging category is that of single seniors. These people may be widowed, never married or divorced. Hardships and problems this group faces particularly widowed are very different and unique. What matters most to them is to first overcome the pain and trauma of the spouse loss. That situation if lingered on for long may cause problems such as depression. Their isolation and loneliness, different from the isolation and loneliness faced by recent immigrants, requires an approach where they can find companionship, dignified acceptance in the society and develop a social network of their peers. One should, however, bear in mind that this emerging group may be early immigrants or recent immigrants.

Conclusion:
Some matters of importance will be interfacing in all the three groups such as 'end of life' issues, family conflicts and compromises. One must also bear in mind that all matters do not apply to all people, as some by virtue of their professional work and/or exposure to the mainstream may have addressed some or all these matters at the appropriate time.

With the creation of the National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens Inc. (NIAASC) in USA in 1998, these issues have been discussed in some 15 different interactive workshops and conferences. NIAASC is an information, referral and advocacy entity and it has related with all the three groups of seniors outlined above and with the help of various Indian community organizations has made headway to develop a process of addressing these matters from a practical perspective. NIAASC through its information through media, its own periodical newsletter and other communication means has also focused on letting Indian seniors know of the existing American network of services for elders. This network - known at the local level as 'Area Agencies for Aging' - covers all the fifty states. Some 650 AAAs exist and they are the front line support on all issues concerning seniors 60 years and older. Helpful information and linkages to many public and private resources for seniors are also available at the NIAASC web site: www.niaasc.org

BY RAJESHWAR PRASAD