A New Lease on Life Thanks to BCSC PACE

Home / News & Events / Newsletter

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

Prev Page Next Page

Share

Sign up for the Los Angeles Jewish Health newsletter, Connections.

First Name

Last Name

Email

Recent Articles

May 13

Los Angeles Jewish Health Earns Rare American Heart Association Certification for Excellence in Heart Failure Care

LAJH is among fewer than 1% of nursing facilities nationwide to earn this designation, and the first Jewish facility outside of NY or NJ LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH) has received the American Heart Association’s Skilled Nursing Facility Heart Failure Certification, a distinction held by fewer than 1% of nursing facilities nationwide recognized for excellence in evidence-based heart failure care. LAJH is one of the first Jewish facilities to receive this certification, and the first outside of New York or New Jersey.LAJH is the largest single-source senior care provider in Los Angeles. Across the organization, LAJH serves more than 4,000 seniors each year, including those in skilled nursing facilities who receive 24/7 specialized heart failure care.The certification provides an evidence-based framework for evaluating skilled nursing facilities against the American Heart Association’s rigorous requirements for heart failure care, including program management, patient and caregiver education and support, care coordination, clinical management, and quality improvement.“This prestigious recognition reflects the dedication of our healthcare team, who have provided exceptional care for more than 114 years since LAJH’s founding,” said Dale Surowitz, Chief Executive Officer and President of Los Angeles Jewish Health. “Amid the challenge of a growing number of seniors, we are committed to delivering comprehensive care for all, rooted in our Jewish values.”“Participation in this certification benefits the patient and the facility by standardizing care practices,” said Cory Woods, DNP, MHA, MSN, RN, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association’s Quality Certification Business Management Committee and assistant chief clinical officer at Rockport Healthcare Services in Los Angeles. “When there are clear processes during every phase of care, patients have the best opportunity for positive outcomes.”Dr. Noah Marco, Chief Medical Officer of Los Angeles Jewish Health, added, “Patients with heart failure require specialized, closely coordinated support, and we are proud of the systems we’ve built to provide care that is both effective and compassionate. As our team helps seniors navigate a wide range of cardiac conditions, we continue to innovate and adopt best practices to strengthen patient outcomes. The AHA’s certification is a meaningful endorsement of our approach and our impact across Southern California.” ### Founded in 1912, Los Angeles Jewish Health (formerly Los Angeles Jewish Home) is the largest non-profit, single-source provider of comprehensive senior healthcare services in the Los Angeles area, serving nearly 4,000 people each year. At Los Angeles Jewish Health, thousands of seniors benefit from community-based and in-residence care and services. Programs include independent living; assisted living; senior behavioral health; short-term rehabilitation; skilled nursing; Brandman Centers for Senior Care PACE; and geriatric and memory care. Los Angeles Jewish Health is also home to the Annenberg School of Nursing.

Los Angeles Jewish Health Showcases Classic Cars and Charitable Giving

This April, for the third consecutive year, Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH) hosted its annual car show—a chance for Angelenos to get an up-close look at classic and exotic cars while also learning more about the organization and its vital senior care mission. The event brought approximately 100 car owners and admirers to the Grancell Village campus in the San Fernando Valley.Aaron Levinson, LAJH’s vice president for planned giving, conceived the car show to capitalize on a growing trend in donor-driven philanthropy.“Donors are interested in creative ways to be philanthropic and to get great tax advantages, and over the years, the nonprofit sector has seen an increase in people giving gifts in the form of different kinds of assets: real estate, artwork, investments, and even automobiles,” Levinson says. “Hosting a car show helps introduce the idea of donating non-traditional assets to LAJH, and also gives potential donors an opportunity to see firsthand what makes LAJH so wonderful and worth supporting.”The event has grown over time: In its first year, 30 cars were entered; by this year, that number had nearly doubled. Levinson attributes the increase not only to effective publicity, but also to positive word of mouth.“It’s really a great day: People look at the cars, socialize, enjoy some refreshments, and get to tour LAJH,” he says. “There’s no program, no speeches, no admission fee—just people coming together to have a good time. Even some of our residents joined us to see what was happening!”Longtime LAJH donor and former board member Rick Katz served as chair of the event.“The car show is a lot of fun, especially for car enthusiasts,” Katz says. “I’ve always been a car guy; I think growing up in Southern California, where cars are part of the culture, sparked my interest. It’s great to be able to share that with people through LAJH, and as the event gets bigger and more successful, I’m hopeful it will translate to increased donations.”Levinson recently formed a car show committee to begin planning future events, and Katz says he intends to participate again next year.“I strongly support the work being done at LAJH,” he says. “The men and women who live there paid it forward for me to have a better Jewish life, and I believe it’s my responsibility to make their senior years as enjoyable as possible.”To learn more about the annual car show or to get involved, contact Aaron Levison at (818) 757-4416 or [email protected] HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE CAR SHOW

The Power of Passover at Los Angeles Jewish Health

In the Jewish tradition, Passover represents many things: the liberation of the ancient Israelites from Egyptian slavery, the beginning of a long journey to self-determination and freedom in a promised land, and the rebirth and renewal that accompany the start of spring. At Los Angeles Jewish Health, Passover celebrates all of these themes—as well as LAJH’s establishment nearly 115 years ago.In 1912, five older adults experiencing homelessness men in Los Angeles needed a place to observe Seder. They found a welcome home and a willing host in Polish immigrant and Boyle Heights grocery store owner Simon Lewis. He invited them in to share the holiday, thus paving the way for what would soon become the Los Angeles Jewish Home.Lewis and the hard-working women who cooked and prepared for that Seder could never have imagined how their generosity would reverberate for generations of Angelenos. For more than a century, LAJH has served as a vital refuge for seniors, offering critical programs and services that set a national standard for exceptional, high-quality care. Today, the tradition continues, and LAJH reaches seniors throughout the San Fernando Valley, L.A.’s Westside, and beyond.At LAJH, Passover is an opportunity both to celebrate its legacy and to marvel at the institution’s daily impact on thousands of lives. Whether through skilled nursing care, memory care, adult day care, or independent living, LAJH plays a crucial role in strengthening the social fabric of Los Angeles—giving seniors the support they so greatly deserve.Passover is also an occasion for excitement, merriment, and delight at LAJH. Each year, the organization welcomes residents to experience the holiday with a range of hands-on activities including music- and food-filled Seders.“Passover comes alive at Los Angeles Jewish Health, awakening all five senses and inspiring the spirits of our residents,” says Chief Mission Officer Rabbi Karen Bender. “Our goal is to stimulate memories of the past for each of our beloved residents, while also providing Seders that are extraordinarily interactive and memorable themselves.” As they eat their fill of matzah, sip grape juice, sing traditional melodies, and tell the story of the four children, residents gain strength from—and find meaning in—participating as part of a cohesive community.“When we come together to share happy occasions, all of our lives are enriched,” says Dale Surowitz, Los Angeles Jewish Health’s CEO and president. “It’s amazing to be at the Seder and see our residents sharing this special occasion. The sense of fulfillment and joy on their faces—it’s what LAJH is all about.”Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aged - Bungalow at 325 S Boyle AveMeal at Eisenberg Village Dining Room - Date UnknownPassover Seder at Grancell Village 2025