SANTA ANA, Calif. — There’s a first time for everything even when you’re 81 years old like Heng Kem.
The grandfather is learning how to use Zoom and even took notes when his case manager at his local community center showed him. Kem explained that he speaks to his family and friends over the phone but hasn’t seen them in 10 months.
What You Need To Know
- The Cambodian Family is a community center built in the early 1980's after a large wave of Cambodian refugees escaped the communist Khmer Rouge regime and resettled in Santa Ana
- There is a large population of Cambodian immigrants living in Long Beach, but there are an estimated 10,000 living in Orange County
- The Cambodian Family has many programs available to its clients including skill building and citizenship workshops
- Heng Kem is one of the elders who used to go to the center at least twice a week prior to the pandemic to stay mentally, emotionally, and physically active
“I wanted to learn how to learn how to use Zoom,” Kem said.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Kem and other older adults used to go to The Cambodian Family Community Center in Santa Ana at least twice a week to take classes and socialize with other Khmer speakers. That was until the lockdown forced the center to close its doors. Kem said he's developed depression.
"When the community center closed, I had to stay home," Kem said. "I felt stress and anxiety, but I still had to follow the CDC guidelines."
While he lives with his children and grandchildren, Kem added that not being able to leave the house while he was homebound made him feel lonely. According to the CDC, loneliness and isolation can lead to serious health challenges, including dementia, heart disease, and stroke if left untreated.
Sreyroth Loa, a case manager and health navigator at The Cambodian Family, helped Kem and his friends learn how to use Zoom to stay connected.
"Of course I miss them a lot," Loa said. "I miss talking to them."
Loa joined the team just under two years ago and has helped the center disperse Chromebooks it bought through a partnership with other nonprofits and the county of Orange to its 65 and over age group.
"We were so happy they successfully logged in and know their meeting ID, know how to turn off the voice and video and turn it on," Loa said. "It just makes my day."
After a few tries, Kem saw his friend on Zoom for the first time in months even though they live just a few miles apart. As soon as they saw each other through their screens, the loneliness that 81-year-old developed during the pandemic went away with this Zoom call, he said.
For more details about the center, visit here.