EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care Supports the Unmet Health and Wellbeing Needs of Older Adults in Chinatown

Contact:
Lauren La Chance | Email: llachance@connecticare.com

New York, NY -  EmblemHealth, a mission-driven nonprofit with a more than 80+ year legacy of serving New York’s communities, recently wrapped up a series at its Neighborhood Care location in Chinatown aimed at addressing the community's unmet health and wellness needs of older adults.

The program kicked off last October through a $10,000 grant made possible by Manhattan Borough President Mark Levin. With a growing demand to provide meaningful support for the aging population, the program was designed to alleviate loneliness, social isolation, food insecurity, and additional stressors Asian Americans experience, including navigating language and cultural barriers; the program is the first of its kind at the Chinatown location.

The series, offered in Chinese and English, was a unique blend of twenty arts and relaxation classes and sixteen afternoon tea sessions. The free classes offered relaxing ways to reduce stress and anxiety and provided information on various topics, including mental health awareness and scam prevention. The program provided a safe and creative space for older adults in the Chinatown community to make connections and support their mental well-being. In partnership with the Campaign Against Hunger, EmblemHealth also hosted two food pantries to address the food insecurity needs of older adults.  

“EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care is committed to serving the needs of our diverse population and knows that a one-size-fits-all approach will not address health disparities. Our team members have spent the last decade being part of the Chinatown community, and we recognize their unique needs, especially those of older Asian Americans,” said Nazneen Rahman, assistant vice president of EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care. “EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care is proud to provide programming that empowers older adults in the Chinatown community to embrace and nurture healthy behaviors.”

“Many of our community members, particularly older adults, continue to experience loneliness and social isolation that impacts their mental and physical health. These challenges can be further exacerbated when navigating language and cultural barriers,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “I’m proud to have supported EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care in bringing accessible and culturally competent resources to the community to improve the health and lives of older adults in Chinatown.”

The customized series at Neighborhood Care’s Chinatown location is just one example of the many programs offered to break down barriers to care and reach in-need communities. EmblemHealth has a deep understanding of the needs of the communities it serves and as a result, has launched customized programming at multiple locations. Including The Serenity and Well-Being Program at its Neighborhood Care Crown Heights location and the Mind and Body Well-Being Program at its Flushing location in Brooklyn.

About EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care
With locations across New York City, EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care provides in-person and virtual customer support, connections to local resources, and free programs to support community health and wellness. Each Neighborhood Care location features Customer Care Navigators.

About EmblemHealth
EmblemHealth is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health insurers, with more than three million members and an 80+ year legacy of serving New York’s communities. The company offers a full range of commercial and government-sponsored health plans to employers, individuals, and families, as well as convenient community resources. As a market leader in value-based care, EmblemHealth partners with top providers and hospitals to deliver quality, affordable care. For more information, visit emblemhealth.com.