In a move that amplifies community support for individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, Alzheimer’s Orange County (AlzOC) and Somang Society have come together to unite each organization’s expertise and reach to better serve Orange County’s Korean-speaking community. The collaboration between both organizations, which have worked together before, strives to enhance dementia capabilities within communities that have unmet need.
AlzOC’s Vice President of Memory Support Services, Mark Odom provided more details in a short Q&A interview.
What inspired and led to the development of this project?
This new partnership is in response to funding from the Alzheimer’s Disease Program Initiative (ADPI) grant from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) that was awarded to Alzheimer’s OC. The grant’s goal is to increase dementia capabilities in communities. We chose to focus the grant funded initiative on Leisure World in Seal Beach (LWSB), an independent senior living community in Northwest Orange County for a few key reasons. LWSB has very limited social services for its 10,000 residents and we were extended a unique opportunity by community organizations that serve that area to come in and help bridge the gap for dementia support and services. Additionally, LWSB has a significant percentage of people with Korean heritage (about 20%) so we believe this new initiative will create a positive impact for many people while also taking into consideration cultural context. By partnering with a proven partner that has a firm understanding of the multicultural community we will be supporting, we can serve more people more effectively.
How will the project meet its objectives to address the gaps in areas of need that its intended to address?
Somang Society will provide outreach, education and services in the Korean language and culture to the Korean American individuals and families living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in LWSB.
As part of this project’s goal to expand the dementia capabilities of our partners and address critical areas of need, this new initiative will apply the Care Ecosystem Care Team Navigator Model for dementia care to:
- Address the safety and unmet needs of English and Korean speaking persons with dementia living alone
- Provide behavioral symptom management training and expert consultation services to English and Korean speaking people living with dementia and their care partners
The Care Team Navigator Model for dementia care was developed by UCSF which is a model of care designed to provide personalized, cost-efficient care for people with dementia and their caregivers.
Can you describe the importance of Somang Society’s partnership and how this collaborative approach creates more effective outcomes?
This partnership promises a twofold impact. Firstly, within the LWSB community, Somang’s participation ensures that the grant’s reach is culturally and linguistically appropriate. This aids Korean American families in navigating the challenges of living with a loved one affected by dementia. Secondly, Somang Society can extrapolate the knowledge gained from this project to other communities they serve, benefiting a broader spectrum of Korean Americans. So not only will we be able to deliver this support in a way that the intended community can understand best, but both organizations can use what we learn along the way to enhance how we serve other members of our multicultural community across Orange County.
Is there anything else you think the general public, those with or at risk of Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, their care partners, and those that serve them should know, particularly in the Korean American community?
Unfortunately, stigma and shame persist around a dementia diagnosis, hindering progress in this space. We aim to shift this narrative across all communities regardless of their culture. Alzheimer’s is a neurocognitive disorder, often of unknown origin. Individuals living with dementia deserve respect, dignity, and understanding, and they can continue to contribute meaningfully to their communities. There is no shame in living with Alzheimer’s or seeking support.
This collaboration represents a significant step towards building inclusive and supportive communities for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Together, AlzOC and Somang Society will work tirelessly to break down barriers, eliminate stigma, and ensure that no one faces this journey alone.
VP of Memory Support Services, Mark Odom (left) with Boon Ja Yoo Lee, President, Board Chair and Founder, Somang Society (right) at Leisure World Korean Community Church for the public announcement of the partnership.
Pictured above.
Somang Society
Boon Ja Yoo Lee, Founding President and Board Chair
Hye-Won Shin, PhD, Executive Director
Julie Pak, Community Education Lead
Yoonjae Lee, Care Team Navigator
Kyungsoon Park, Leisure World Community Relations Lead
Anne Hwang, Leisure World Community Liaison
LWSB Korean Community Leaders
Rev. Dr. Jang Young Yong, Senior Pastor at LW Korean Community Church
Won Sik Ryu, President of KAA Seal Beach Leisure World
Grace Kim, community activist, former President of KAA Leisure World Seal Beach
AlzOC
Mark Odom, VP of Memory Support Services
Tarah McNulty, Project Manager, Memory Support Team
Lynne Conger, Project Consultant & Advisor
Toni Shapiro, Clinical Manager, Memory Support Team
Pam Krug, Care Team Navigator, Memory Support Team
LWSB
Anna Derby, President, Golden Age Foundation, former president, KAA Leisure World Seal Beach
Robann Arshat, Member Resource Liaison, Golden Rain Foundation
This project is supported in part by grant number ACL- 90ADPI0096, awarded to Alzheimer’s Orange County, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.
Related Information
Korean Caregiver Training Videos
Watch a collection of dementia caregiver training videos in Korean. Watch here.
Caregiver Topics Sheets in Korean
View and download caregiver topic sheets in Korean for tips on dementia care. View here.
