Elders are held in high esteem in the Vietnamese culture. They are our main link Vietnamese history, culture, and traditions. Therefore it is our duty to protect their rights and dignity and promote their mental and physical well being to ensure that our seniors lead healthy and independent lives.

The Golden Age for Seniors (GAPS), launched in November 2005, is designed to help Vietnamese seniors lead happy, healthy, independent, and dignified lifestyles. GAPS breaks down language and cultural barriers by linking Vietnamese American seniors to health information and resources that are vital to healthy aging in-place. 

Activities & Service

• Weekly outreach to the Vietnamese Seniors Association of Maryland at the Long Branch Senior Center.
• Help prepare lunches for seniors provided by the Montgomery County Senior Nutrition Program.
• Serve as liaison to social service agencies such as Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.
• Provide translation and interpretation services.
• Monthly radio announcements, in Vietnamese, to provide seniors with up-to-date information relating to their their well-being, such as healthcare, illness prevention, laws and policies.
• Office visits to assist seniors with applications for health care, food and housing; also link seniors to health care resources.  MVMA is authorized by the Maryland Department of Human Resources to accept applications for food stamps, cash assistance, and Medicaid. For an appointment, contact us at GAPS@mdvietmutual.org or 301-588-6862.
• Annual Field Trips to connect seniors to recreation activities that they would otherwise not have access to.

Goal To ensure that Vietnamese Seniors age healthily in place by informing seniors of issues that affect their lives, such as health care, illness prevention, and laws and policies. Our goal is to also get seniors involved in community recreation programs. We also raise funds to organize recreational field trips for seniors. Language barriers and lack of transportation are two main challenges that prevent seniors to gather and participate in civic life.

Accomplishments MVMA has organized three Medicare Part D Enrollment seniors sign up for affordable and appropriate drug prescription plans. We collaborated with the Gilchrist Center, Medicare, Social Security Administration, health experts, and community members, volunteers to make this event possible. MVMA worked with Diabetic Solutions for an extended period of time to provide specialized diabetic shoes for Vietnamese seniors who have Medicare and Medicaid. MVMA has provided friendly visitors to extremely isolated seniors, thereby decreasing their loneliness. Some seniors have said to us, “Knowing that you visit me every Tuesday makes me happy. My grandchildren even don’t visit me!”

What you can do to help

Do you have 2 extra hours a month? Why not become a Senior helper to isolated and vulnerable seniors by providing friendly visits, transportation to medical visits and grocery store, or translations? Volunteers are also needed when MVMA organizes recreational trips and health and educational workshops. Or, you can help by making a donation. MVMA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations made to MVMA are tax deductible.