This class is a surprising academic opportunity for me when I am able to engage in in-class lecture and out-of-classroom activities. Passionate about aging research, I pursued a cognitive science major and have joined the MADURA program that looks into aging disease research in the Vietnamese population. What is offered through the Life Course program brings me closer to understanding my field and viewing the real problems of health and disease in seniors by visiting community centers and designing plans and assistance to older adults. The first class today at the West center is appealing to me because I gained knowledge about the homeless crisis and drawbacks in housing and healthcare policy for the elderly, which was given through a short speech by Paul Downey.
The presentation and conversation between Mr. Downey and the group revealed that intense homelessness in San Diego comes from losing a job or not being able to afford living prices. Although people are offered to register and waitlist for affordable housing, they still find it challenging to access sources. This brings up the stressing situation in urban planning which is about the shortage of housing supply under the rise of homelessness. Especially in the outbreak of covid 19, housing planning and urban innovation might be worsened due to economic recession. Homelessness followed by an increased rate of disease and poor employment is a consequence of awful policy and management. The local government also tracks the growth and reality of homeless issues by periodically doing head counts in the downtown area in order to scrutinize background and demand for basic needs and medical aid among unhoused people. I desire to gain more experiential learning and specialized knowledge in health policy and management to have capacity to tackle these pressing social issues.
I have not approached any kind of class at UC San Diego that is rich in on-site practice and community-based activities until I discovered this course. I am documenting some pictures of my first blog to memorize my meaningful experience with peers, professor Lewis, and the seniors at the West Center.
🌺The West Center team put up the monthly schedule of lunch menu on the bulletin at the hallway to dissemination details of what foods they give on which day of the month.
Another nice reminder of healthy activity is the updated schedule of health education classes that gives a plan ahead of one month. The bulletin board is an effective means of organizing and announcing information for old adults coming here.
🌺 I got a tour around the West center to view the facilities and resources in place. The lady whose name is Marie (please forgive me if my spelling is wrong) has volunteered at this place for about six years and she created plenty of recycling items that are used as a decoration around the room. We heard her share the stories of coming to work everyday at 6am and getting home in the afternoon for a few days per week to help old people to get involved in exercise programs. She is now seventy years old but still carries so much passion and energy to help people. Looking at her reminded me of my aunt who is an ordinary woman but wields extraordinary influence on other people's lives.
Here is an information and referral desk where people come to ask for help with any concerns.
🌺Meals are served four times per day, one breakfast and three lunch times and people can come to work as volunteers for serving old adults. To ensure that people stay healthy and nutritious, meals are rich in vegetables, along with cheese, bread, and milk.
My classmates and I had a wonderful time making conversation about different topics with the seniors, assisting workers here to deliver meals to tables, and wrapping up the visit with a warm goodbye and wishes 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼