A New Lease on Life Thanks to BCSC PACE

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A New Lease on Life Thanks to Brandman Centers for Senior Care PACE

Jan 7, 2026

In his role as a staff member of the Activities Department at Los Angeles Jewish Health’s Brandman Centers for Senior Care (BCSC) PACE program, Sergio Anleu has seen firsthand how the program helps its participants thrive. But it wasn’t until his own mother enrolled that he realized how truly transformative BCSC PACE could be.

“In 2022, when my mom, Fabiola, was barely 60, she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure,” Sergio says. “She worked as a nanny and was incredibly dedicated to her job, so even though she was having trouble breathing, she didn’t want to take time off to go to the hospital. Fortunately, a friend convinced her; the doctor said that if she had waited one more day, she would have collapsed and died.”

For Fabiola, the diagnosis meant a radical lifestyle change. Even with the implantation of a defibrillation device, her heart would be too weak for her to continue working. She would have to retire immediately and dedicate her time and energy to keeping her body as strong as possible.

“My entire world shifted overnight: On a Wednesday, I went to work; by Thursday, I learned I’d never be able to work again. I felt psychologically destroyed,” Fabiola recalls.

Sergio and his two brothers were beside themselves with worry. Not only was their beloved mother facing an existential health crisis, but she would also require a level of daily support that the three siblings, who all worked full-time themselves, could not provide.

“I had worked for LAJH for a number of years, but I was relatively new at BCSC PACE and wasn’t sure whether my mom would be eligible,” Sergio says. “When I found out she qualified, I was so relieved.”

PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a health plan for those 55 and older who want to continue living at home, providing them with vibrant activity centers and dedicated care teams to help them stay healthy, active, and socially engaged.

As Fabiola sees it, the care she receives has been nothing short of life-changing.

“It’s hard to describe how amazing BCSC PACE is,” Fabiola says. “They give me meals and provide my medication, which gets sent directly to my house. They host activities like bingo, arts and crafts, Zumba and music therapy. They take me to the psychologist, where I receive counseling. They make sure I see my cardiologist every three-to-six months. We have outings to go shopping. If I’m not feeling well, they come pick me up so I can get to the doctor right away. And I’ve made friends! It’s all such a blessing.”

BCSC PACE also gave Fabiola an emergency call device she can press if she falls when she is home alone, and the staff gets in touch immediately to make sure she is okay.

“The support BCSC PACE offers is a game-changer; it gives my brothers and me a sense of security and peace of mind knowing Mom is so well-cared-for,” Sergio says.

Three years into her participation in the program, Fabiola says she feels like a different person.

“When I was diagnosed, I felt like the world had ended. But BCSC PACE has given me life again, lifting me out of my depression and surrounding me with such beautiful treatment and care,” she says. “I still have physical limitations, but now I have the desire to go on, to spend time with all the friends I’ve made here and enjoy all the things I can do.”

Sergio has become accustomed to hearing these types of stories from other BCSC PACE participants and their families, but now they hit home in a different way.

“My brothers and I consider ourselves so fortunate to be part of the BCSC PACE community,” he says. “My mom is the person who keeps us close, and without BCSC PACE helping her, I don’t know where our family would be. We are forever grateful.”

Fabiola joined 11 other women who celebrated their Golden Quinceañera at BCSC PACE

Sergio joins Fabiola for excercise class at BCSC PACE in Reseda

Having fun and making music at BCSC PACE

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