Chinese seniors and nursing students meet in health program

Windsor's elderly Chinese residents are getting extra care and attention thanks to a partnership between the Essex County Chinese-Canadian Association and the University of Windsor. 

Each week, nursing students and interpreters visit the Kah Wah Manor apartments in downtown Windsor to do health checkups and lead exercise programs with residents. 

"I like making friends with them, the interpreters, the nurses, all of them are wonderful," said Yin Hua Hu in Mandarin.

Hu is 91 years-old and still lives alone in the apartment complex. Her closest daughters live in the United States, and it is difficult for them to see each other often. 

She said the nurses are pleasant with residents and the program is a bright spot for her. 

The program launched last fall, with a focus on checking blood pressure and exercises that get the blood flowing. They aren't very taxing, and involve collaboration. One exercise had participants toss a beach ball around in a circle. 

The program appears to be a success, with the number of nurses and residents doubling since the program began. 

"I've gotten to know them even though I can't speak their language. They seem so much happier and willing to share and come to us with issues," said Victoria Rybaczuk, a third-year nursing student participating in the program. 

"You realize how important it is to have community resources, people to go to if they don't have people to drive them to appointments," she said. 

In Windsor, where there is a smaller Chinese population than cities like Toronto or Vancouver, it can be difficult for Chinese seniors to access government services, said Stephen Tsui, the president of the Essex County Chinese Canadian Association.  

In the fall, the program is expected to start again with a new crop of third-year nursing students.