Amid pandemic, Californians can now visit loved ones in nursing homes, but few are going
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Amid pandemic, Californians can now visit loved ones in nursing homes, but few are going
Amid pandemic, Californians can now visit loved ones in nursing homes, but few are going
Jul 12, 2020
For months, families have pined to see their loved ones who live in California’s skilled nursing facilities, which have been shut down to outside visitors to keep the coronavirus from spreading. California health authorities recently issued guidance for visits to resume, but few are happening as infection rates surge in many communities. Facilities are being cautious after many suffered severe outbreaks earlier in the pandemic. Read more ›
Author: Associated Press · Publication: Los Angeles Times · Date: July 12, 2020
Latest News
Mar
1
At Los Angeles Jewish Health, Short-Term Rehab Delivers Long-Term Results
In the world of short-term rehabilitation for seniors, not all programs or
facilities are created equal. Given its breadth of services, depth of
experience, and track record of results, Los Angeles Jewish Health's high-impact
short-term rehab is in a class by itself.
Under the supervision of
Director of Rehabilitation Services Daniel Persichetti, the offerings are
robust. "We have seven distinct short-term rehab operations at Los Angeles
Jewish Health, each one geared to meet diverse seniors' needs," he says. "It's
terrific because it means we're able to help with a wide range of challenges,
getting people back on their feet and ready to reclaim mobility and function
that may have been compromised due to a recent hospital stay or illness."
The programs include short-term, skilled nursing facility-based rehab at Los
Angeles Jewish Health's Grancell Village campus; a PACE (Program of
All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) clinic at the Brandman Centers for Senior
Care, also located in Grancell Village; and outpatient services on the Eisenberg
Village campus and at Fountainview at Gonda Westside, in Playa Vista.
"When older adults are released from the hospital, they may not be quite ready
to return home, so they come stay with us for a bit, instead," Daniel says.
"Maybe they can't walk very far or have difficulty climbing out of bed. Perhaps
they've just had a hip or knee replacement, or they've suffered a stroke. We
equip them with the right tools to build up their strength and recover their
independence."
The outpatient clinic at Eisenberg Village is also open
to members of the general public, who can come to campus to leverage Los Angeles
Jewish Health's renowned expertise in senior care. "Our speech therapists and
physical therapists are available for things like memory and cognition training,
improving balance and gait, and refining overall strength and function," Daniel
says. "As those in need of these services discover just how good our care is,
more and more people from the greater community are relying on us every day."
In addition to having access to an outpatient clinic, seniors participating
in PACE at the Brandman Centers may benefit from home visits, as well.
"Sometimes, our therapy staff will go to a participant's home to make sure they
have the tools they need to help in their recovery. For instance, they may
evaluate if a grab bar is in the right spot for the shower, or ensure the person
has the appropriate ramp to make their house accessible—essentially,
making equipment recommendations to help seniors live in their homes for a
longer period of time," Daniel says.
He and his team of about 30 full-time therapists (plus 20 or so per diem staff) also treat longer-term Los
Angeles Jewish Health residents. "Sometimes, folks in assisted living may
experience a decline—say after a fall. Our caring team provides them
with therapy two or three days a week to help them improve," he says. "One of
the things that makes our therapy so successful is that, because it's in-house,
we develop good collaborative relationships with nurses and other Los Angeles
Jewish Health staff, so we can work together as a team to get residents better
in a timely manner."
As Daniel sees it, these partnerships are a key
distinguishing feature of rehab services at Los Angeles Jewish Health. "I've
worked for many companies over the past 17 years, starting out in acute care and
then moving on to aquatic therapy, outpatient care, and acute rehab. But working
for Los Angeles Jewish Health is like night and day. Not only is there a real
family atmosphere here, but also, the primary focus is different: It is about
serving people and the community, rather than solely on generating financial
gain."
For Daniel, one of the most gratifying parts of the job is
watching people start to feel empowered when they realize they can do things on
their own. "We see so many success stories," he says, "and I'm proud of the
gains our seniors make with our support."
Among Los Angeles Jewish
Health's satisfied short-term rehab customers is David Goldstein, who sought
intensive physical therapy after fracturing his humerus (upper arm bone). "Los
Angeles Jewish Health staff are responsive, they know what they're doing, and
they make you feel like you're in your own home," he says. "Although being here
is only temporary, they've done everything possible to make me comfortable and
happy. I chose the right place, and I would highly recommend it."
Mar
1
The Art of Making Crafts at Los Angeles Jewish Health
Arlene Bercu
Los Angeles Jewish Health is renowned for advancing the health of older adults across our
community. Its commitment to raising the bar on compassionate, high-quality care
includes a dedicated focus on emotional wellness—engaging seniors in creative,
stimulating activities that help them find enjoyment in every day. Los Angeles
Jewish Health's Arts and Crafts Program is a prime example, bringing people
together to give life to new ideas and make memories along the way.
The
Arts and Crafts Room is a bustling hub of energy at Los Angeles Jewish Health,
offering residents resources, guidance, and camaraderie as they develop their
creative talents and produce a wide range of beautiful handcrafts. "It's where
we host instructors for oil-based painting classes, and where we teach knitting,
quilting, crocheting, and all the various needlecrafts," says Annette Weinberg,
Los Angeles Jewish Health's campus lifestyle and enrichment director for
Eisenberg Village. "The studio is packed full of every possible supply material
for any project a resident would like to do."
Staffed by Arts and Crafts
Director Radka Falk, the Arts and Crafts Room enables residents to express
themselves while achieving a state of emotional Zen. "Creativity is soothing for
the soul, and this is such an uplifting environment," Annette says. "People
often spend hours here, and their tasks take them away to a whole other place."
Norma Garber
Norma Garber, 89, is one of those people, a lifelong seamstress who trained
as a young girl in England to be a high-end dressmaker. She volunteered at Los
Angeles Jewish Health before becoming a resident about four and a half years ago
and notes that, even then, she knew the Arts and Crafts Room would be where she
would spend much of her time once she moved in.
"I like quilting and
making pillows, challah covers, and table runners. I love everything I do here;
I call it my ‘happy room,'" Norma laughs. "Radka is amazing—there isn't
anything she doesn't know how to do. And I get to spend time with my friends,
like Casey Joseph, another quilter."
Toby and Clara Silnik
Casey, 89, enjoys the shared sense
of purpose the Arts and Crafts Room inspires. "Spending time with Norma is
great: It's nice to have someone to talk to who understands what you're trying
to do and can help you map it out," she says. "I love the creativity and beauty
of using my hands to make something. The idea that one of my quilts is keeping a
baby, a child, or an adult cozy, just warms my heart."
In addition to
nurturing residents' creative impulse, the Arts and Crafts Room also welcomes
visitors interested in viewing—and even purchasing—some of the goods made on
the premises. A gallery of canvases painted by residents is on permanent
display, and a small, on-site store offers a number of resident-made items for
sale.
Director Radka Falk
"The money we make from the shop gets reinvested into the gift
shop so we can continue buying supplies for residents to craft with!" Annette
says.
Frequenters of the Arts and Crafts Room are often joined by Los
Angeles Jewish Health volunteers, who bring a variety of craft projects with
them for residents to complete.
"The items you can find in the shop are
just gorgeous. But, even more importantly, making those items does absolute
wonders for our residents' well-being," Annette says. "When they're here, their
spirits soar."
Jan
31
Under the Jacaranda Tree: A Story of Love
By Glenda Hahn
Many lasting and loving relationships are formed at Los Angeles Jewish Health. During this season of love, we want to share this very special and touching story written by Glenda Hahn, the daughter of Mary Freeman.
My mom, Mary, came from a marriage that offered little by way of love or affection.
We were led to believe my parents stayed together for the stability of their children.
When my father passed away in 1995, my mom felt like a bird let out of a cage.
This was her opportunity to spread her wings and follow her dreams to emigrate from
her native South Africa to join me and my family in the United States. My kind and
generous husband offered her employment, and thus an avenue to support herself.
Mary was independent, caught buses to wherever she wanted to go, made new friends,
and created a great and happy life for herself.
When Mom eventually needed more assistance with daily living, we were fortunate
to find an excellent facility for her: Los Angeles Jewish Health, formerly the Los
Angeles Jewish Home. The slight resistance she initially gave us quickly dissipated
when she realized this was a place for her to enjoy playing cards and bingo, learn
the computer, and enjoy movies and other activities. She was social, made new friends,
and soon realized she had come to the right place.
I’m not sure how Mary and Cyril first connected, but it could have been in discussion
of the beautiful jacaranda tree that sat in the gardens of Eisenberg Village, located
on one of the Los Angeles Jewish Health campuses. Coincidentally, Cy was also from
South Africa, and the tree brought back memories for both of them of the beautiful
trees, with their magnetic purple blooms, lining the streets of Johannesburg and
Pretoria. The shade of this beautiful tree would later become their meeting place—a
spot where they would sit, hand-in-hand, admiring the blossoms and reminiscing about
life in the "old country." It was the start of a love story between two
nonagenarian expats from South Africa.
Not only did the twosome discover they were from the same country; they came
from small cities in close proximity to each other. In fact, Mary’s husband had
gone to Cyril’s high school! Now, many decades later, they were sitting cuddled
up in a place over 10,000 miles away.
Mary and Cy (as he was called) became known to the residents of Los Angeles Jewish
Health as "a couple." They would spend their days in the Newman Lounge
watching TV, or in front of the Newman building, where more often than not, at least
one of them would doze off. They would reminisce about life in South Africa, talk
about their children, and quote excerpts from Hamlet, which they had both studied
in high school.
After some time, it became clear Mary required more care. The decision to move
her to skilled nursing was a difficult one because separating her from her beau
would be hard on both of them. Yet, the separation only brought them closer. With
the exception of mealtime, Cy spent nearly every waking moment trekking over to
the Max Factor Building to be with Mary.
It seemed nothing was going to keep these two apart…until COVID hit. Quarantine
meant they would no longer be able to spend time together. For nearly eight months,
they were separated by the virus. Would their relationship be able to weather this
storm?
When the pandemic began to wane, Mary, whose memory and cognition had deteriorated,
moved to the Goldenberg-Ziman Special Care Center. As it happened, Cy was also suffering
from the early stages of dementia – and he, too, moved to the G-Z Building.
American poet Maya Angelou wrote, "Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps
hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."
Suddenly, the duo were together again, and the connection was still there. Both
were hard of hearing, which made verbal communication difficult, but they had each
other, their memories, and their mutual longing for South Africa and its beautiful
jacaranda trees.
Mary passed away several months ago. This spring, as the jacaranda at Los Angeles
Jewish Health begins to bloom, I’ll think with gratitude of my mother, and of Cy,
and of the wonderful time they spent together.