Michigan resident Shaista Kazmi has firsthand knowledge of the isolation and guilt felt by millions of family caregivers. But as a Pakistani Muslim, she's had the added challenge of finding culturally competent home health aides for her elderly family members. To help caregivers like her avoid the same fate, Shaista founded Detroit-based Apna Ghar, the first senior care agency in America dedicated to serving the needs of elderly ethnic minorities.  Shaista tells us how well-meaning senior care agencies tried but failed to meet the cultural needs of her family members, and how it affected her ability to work and raise her kids.  She shares her first generation perspective on the dilemmas faced by her mostly Indian and Pakistani clients, who speak little or no English and eat foods that are particular to their cultures and unfamiliar to most in-home aides.  Immigrants who came to America with next to nothing, these ethnic minority elders assimilated and built successful lives.  Now they are assimilating in a whole new way, attempting to age in place with dignity but hard-pressed to find culturally competent care or even admit that they need help.

For a transcript of this episode click here: Transcript

Learn more: Apna Ghar Home Care
Call Apna Ghar: (248) 325-9028

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Music: “Chupke Chupke” - Ustad Salamat Ali Khan  [Recording Artist: Iqbal Asif]