On the afternoon of October 25th, the East Asia Advancement Association (EAA), University Neighborhood Housing Program, and Good Health Medical held a joint seminar in the community room of the Confucius Plaza in Manhattan’s Chinatown. The topic, “Understanding Senior Rights,” aimed to help senior residents grasp their rights and learn how to identify and protect themselves from common scams. Over 60 seniors attended, filling every seat in the room. Water Lilies Food was a sponsor for the event.
Sisi Yam, a board member of the East Asia Advancement Association, emphasized the increasing importance of protecting seniors’ rights in today’s society. “We hosted this lecture to enhance seniors’ understanding of their rights, assist them in accessing various social welfare resources, and improve their ability to guard against scams. I hope seniors will actively participate in similar events, gather relevant information, and strengthen their self-protection awareness to secure a better quality of life in their later years,” she stated.
The seminar featured a special guest, Yanling Chen, the equity officer from the nonprofit organization Raising Health. She provided insights into the services offered by her organization, helping seniors and their families navigate community resources and social welfare to enhance their convenience and safety.
Chen also offered a detailed explanation of how to recognize and prevent common scams, particularly focusing on phishing scams that often target seniors. According to the FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Report, seniors aged 60 and above in the U.S. lose at least $3.4 billion annually due to scams, making them the most affected age group. In 2023 alone, losses from various scams for seniors exceeded $1 billion.
