Elderly Koreans in America have had to adjust to the hard economic times like everyone else. With cuts in Social Security, Koreans have stopped visiting coffee shops, restaurants, and expensive stores. Shop owners are feeling the pinch from this lack of business.
Mr. Kim, a grandfather in his seventies, spends more time alone these days, now that going to the coffee shop has become a luxury he can't afford.
Even though Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has been increased twice in the recent past, last year the rate was frozen and this year the standard rate was reduced; this leaves Mr. Kim, and thousands like him, with pretty empty pockets. "If I had some support I could meet friends at coffee shop, but now I am even afraid I can't afford to share a round of coffee," said Mr. Kim.
Elderly Koreans have stopped spending, fighting to survive on reduced SSI benefits. They have altered their lifestyles to adapt to the current situation.
Early this year SSI was almost $900, but recently the rate was reduced to an average of $800; there is a rumor circulating among the city's elderly is that another deduction is in the works.
"Five dollars for a senior citizen is like $50 for a businessman," says Mr. Park, a health care activist, an educator and counselor for the elderly. "So even though the SSI reduction might seem slight – only $100 – the effect of this cut is drastic for the elderly. Many Korean seniors don't know which way to turn, or what will happen next. But the fact is all seniors trying to subsist on SSI are in the same boat." Mr. Park added that elderly people are extremely worried about their future, an anxiety that is growing among seniors across the country. [pic]
Because of the reduced spending by elderly Koreans, many of the businesses they used to frequent, such as oriental acupuncture centers, beauty salons, and coffee and tea shops, have seen corresponding drops in income. Even local pharmacies complain that seniors do not visit often because of the reductions to medical benefits that many seniors face.
"This year the number of our senior customers has dropped sharply. In good economic times, customers will come in at least once a month for a perm. Now things have slowed to a standstill," complained a manager at a beauty salon.
A staff member at a local acupuncture center explained, "Many acupuncture businesses in Koreatown rely on middle-aged and elderly clients. We are definitely feeling the effects of the reductions in benefits to seniors."
