Today we’d like to introduce you to Khanh Bui
Hi Khanh, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in an Asian-American household, caring for our elderly is a cherished tradition. My grandmother, a resilient immigrant from Vietnam who came to the US as a refugee after the Vietnam war, has always been my inspiration. She taught me our family’s treasured recipes and showed me what true selflessness and love looked like. Her influence on my life has been profound, shaping me into the person I am today.
As my grandmother aged and her health declined, my family and I took on the responsibility of caring for her. Accompanying her to doctor’s appointments, assisting with daily tasks, and providing companionship became our priority. We soon realized that many of her friends, also elderly and living alone, were in need of support and connection. This realization led us to open our home to these grandmothers, creating a sense of community and friendship among us.
Our weekends together were filled with laughter, shared meals, and heartfelt conversations. Cooking authentic dishes from our culture became a bonding experience, where we not only shared food but also our joys and sorrows. Through these gatherings, I learned valuable life lessons and discovered my passion for helping underserved elderly individuals like my grandmother and her friends.
Witnessing the transformation of these once isolated and lonely grandmothers into vibrant and joyful individuals filled me with happiness. Their resilience and camaraderie showed me the power of compassion and community. My grandmother’s influence continues to guide me as I strive to make a difference in the lives of elderly individuals, just as she has done for me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of my grandmother’s friends was an elderly couple without children or close family for support, relying on others for basic needs like transportation. After a few years in America, they decided to return to Vietnam. Unfortunately, the inadequate healthcare system and poor living conditions there led to their untimely deaths. This tragic event ignited a strong desire in me to find ways to better support seniors.
Reflecting on this experience, I realized that access to home care services could have potentially prevented this tragedy. Instead of relying on sporadic volunteer help, they could have benefited from a dedicated caregiver, providing stable employment particularly to those facing language barriers. Matching caregivers and clients based on shared backgrounds could enhance the effectiveness of such support.
My commitment to improving senior care stems from these personal experiences. It’s about creating a mutually beneficial situation where seniors receive necessary care without feeling burdensome, while caregivers earn a dignified living.
To make this vision a reality, I dedicated years to researching and advocating for accessible senior care solutions. During my time at Webster University, I delved into extensive research, consulting with professors, developing senior care projects, and absorbing every piece of information available. This journey continued with internships and active roles in community organizations like the Asian American Chamber of Commerce in Saint Louis and co-founding the nonprofit United Community Resources (UCORE).
Through collaboration with community leaders, family, colleagues, and mentors, the vision for United at Home emerged. Despite the challenges, driven by my grandmother’s influence and unwavering passion, we successfully launched the initiative.
Upon establishing United At Home, my husband and I recognized another critical need: a culturally centered social facility for Asian seniors. Inspired by my grandmother’s legacy, we established the United Adult Day Center. Her experiences illuminated the struggles of immigrant seniors—language barriers, isolation, and cultural adjustment in aging abroad. Spending time with her and her elderly friends during my youth revealed their transformation from loneliness to vibrant community members, showcasing the power of compassion.
Although my grandmother passed away in April 2021, a year before the official opening of the United Adult Day Center, I find solace in knowing that this endeavor was her dream—a dedicated senior center for the Asian community. Her pride and legacy continue to inspire our efforts, propelling our mission forward with renewed purpose and dedication.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
United At Home is a home care agency in Missouri, serving Greater Saint Louis, Kansas City, and beyond by enabling elderly and disabled individuals to hire in-home caregivers for daily assistance. What sets us apart is our commitment to matching clients with caregivers who genuinely care, providing first-class, dependable support with tasks such as bathing, cooking, cleaning, dressing, chores, and grocery shopping.
Caregivers can be neighbors, friends, family members, or legal guardians, offering essential aid with daily errands and personal hygiene activities like grooming and bathing, meal preparation, medication assistance, household tasks, shopping, mobility support, and transportation.
Our agency meticulously screens caregivers to ensure they meet clients’ specific needs and preferences, guided by a philosophy rooted in treating clients as we would our own family members, prioritizing their well-being and comfort.
United In-Home Care offers personalized services allowing recipients to stay at home while receiving comprehensive care, including personal care, nursing visits, housekeeping, and respite care.
Since our establishment in 2015, we actively support immigrant communities facing language barriers through volunteer services, assistance with Medicaid, Food Stamp, and SSI applications, translations, citizenship, community event sponsorships, and more, empowering community members to access essential support.
During crises such as severe weather conditions, United At Home provides immediate assistance by connecting individuals with resources, arranging accommodations, and coordinating donations, ensuring a positive impact on those in need within our community.
Our innovative programs significantly enhance clients’ lives, compensating caregivers for their dedication and allowing them to focus on delivering quality care, benefiting both clients and their families.
Committed to our clients’ well-being around the clock, we offer 24/7 emergency support, earning trust as a reliable partner in times of need, providing peace of mind and timely assistance.
As active community members, we prioritize engagement and support, building on our reputation for honest, reliable service through word-of-mouth referrals and partnerships with local organizations. With a deep understanding of community needs, we strive for excellence in service delivery, working collaboratively towards a brighter future for all.
Any big plans?
Having been around for nearly a decade, I’ve learned through interactions with clients that there is a significant demand for senior housing, which we aim to address as our next mission. Currently, we are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to extend our services and welcome every senior in the community interested in experiencing Asian cultures to visit and schedule a tour of our facility.
At United Adult Day Center, our commitment extends beyond providing care; we strive to create an environment where seniors can thrive, feel connected, and enjoy culturally enriching experiences. We look forward to continuing to serve our community and expanding our mission to meet the evolving needs of seniors and their families. If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about our services or scheduling a tour, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.unitedathome.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554019581310
