For people of all ages, but especially for seniors, travel helps improve mood and outlook on life. It strengthens relationships with loved ones far away. It allows you to commune with nature and increase your understanding of other people and cultures. Meeting new people, exploring new destinations, and engaging in activities outside of your normal routine stimulates the brain, leading to better cognition. Vacationing also reduces stress levels and helps you exercise more as you wander around new environments. Vacationing can be a bit more challenging as you get older. There are ways to smooth the bumps in the road while expanding horizons and creating new memories. With a little planning, you can continue to enjoy all the benefits travel brings well into your golden years. Planning Cruise ships are built to be handicapped-accessible, have on-board clinics, and you only have to unpack once, no matter how many countries you visit.Bus tours do the navigating for you and allow you to enjoy sightseeing at a leisurely pace.When booking hotels and B&Bs, be sure to ask about stairs, elevator service, narrow hallways, and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms. Make sure the place you are staying is convenient for your needs.Always ask for senior discounts for train tickets, entrance fees, and event tickets. You might be surprised at how many places offer them.When needed, wheelchair and electric cart services at airports help you get through security lines more quickly and make tight flight connections. Request these services when booking tickets.Requesting a wheelchair at a theme park can give you a break from all the walking and usually gets your whole family to the front of the line for each ride. Packing Wheeled luggage, especially the upright kind with four wheels, makes bringing your clothes around the world a whole lot easier.If you pack very lightly and only bring carry-on luggage aboard airplanes, you can skip baggage claim altogether. Health Medicare is not valid outside the United States. Consider buying travel insurance that includes health coverage for overseas travel. It can bring peace of mind in case medical emergencies crop up while out of range of your usual medical coverage.Bring all the medications you will need with you in your carry-on bag. Getting prescriptions filled overseas can get tricky and time-consuming.Build in down time. Be sure one or two days of your itinerary is dedicated to rest and relaxation so you have the energy to enjoy your exciting new experiences.

The goal of palliative medicine is to bring comfort to patients with serious or chronic life-limiting illnesses. The term “palliative” means to lessen or relieve without curing. Palliative medicine practitioners at the Jewish Home’s Center for Palliative Medicine help people manage their symptoms, understand their choices for medical care, and regain their strength to carry on with daily life and/or medical treatment. Palliative medicine doctors and social workers do this in part, by also addressing the emotional, social, and spiritual problems that illnesses can bring up. Palliative Medicine is helpful to those experiencing many different conditions some of which are: ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosisCancerCOPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)CHF (congestive heart failure)Dementia (including Alzheimers)EmphysemaKidney disease Palliative medicine is appropriate at any point in an illness. It may be used in conjunction with curative medicine and help you or a loved one manage the side-effects of medical treatments. The palliative medicine team will partner with the patient’s physicians and family members to provide an extra layer of support. For more information, contact the Los Angeles Jewish Home’s Center for Palliative Medicine at 818.578.7427 or visit https://www.lajhealth.org/our-programs/skirball-palliative.

Molly Forrest, Chief Executive Officer-President of the Los Angeles Jewish Home, has been selected as chair-elect of LeadingAge California, the state's top advocacy group for nonprofit senior living and care. Her two-year term begins July 1, 2018. Forrest is the first leader of a Jewish home to hold this position, helming an association representing nearly 600 members statewide who together serve more than 100,000 California seniors. LeadingAge's critical work assists the state's older adults with the full continuum of care including issues related to affordable housing, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living, home- and community-based care, and skilled nursing. "For more than half a century, LeadingAge has demonstrated an unflagging commitment to raising awareness about seniors' needs and putting them front and center on the state and national policy agenda," Forrest says. "I look forward to carrying that tradition forward as we seek to make a difference for California's rapidly expanding senior population." That expansion – an expected 87 percent increase in California's senior population by 2030 – is resulting in unprecedented growth in the market for services. In the next two years alone (through 2020), LeadingAge projects an 80 percent increase in the demand for aging-related healthcare. "This is a challenge facing all Californians of every age," Forrest says. "Our system for providing senior care is inefficient and fragmented, and everyone pays for that. LeadingAge is playing an instrumental role in helping us think through how we as a society can finance the care our seniors deserve." Vision and experience were vital factors in Forrest's recent elevation. "Molly's leadership on the LeadingAge board and at the Los Angeles Jewish Home propelled her to this position," says Jeannee Parker Martin, LeadingAge's President and CEO. "We are thrilled by her election." LeadingAge California has represented nonprofit senior living and service providers since 1961. Whether testifying at public hearings, building coalitions, visiting member communities, or engaging with elected officials, the organization actively works to create systemic change through advocacy that strengthens members' viability and supports innovations in the delivery of aging services.

Father's Day is the perfect opportunity to tell your father, your grandfather, and your great-grandfather (if you are blessed enough to still have him around) how much you love and enjoy them. Maybe you also want to celebrate other special senior men in your life who have given you guidance and support. Gift trends for them change throughout the years, but the sentiment stays the same. Ties, slippers, and aftershave have given way recently to noise-cancelling headphones, fitness tracking devices, and trendy mustache waxing kits. We asked some of our Jewish Home residents about memorable presents they have received for past Father's Day holidays. Artie Kessler still has a handprint in clay his daughter Judy made for him one year when she was little. She now has two daughters of her own. Artie considers his granddaughters to be special Father's Day gifts, too. Jesse Cooperman remembers receiving a surprising present from his wife in the 1970's. They were vacationing at their home up in Big Bear Lake, California. "On Sunday morning, which was Father's Day, my wife drove into town to get the newspaper," he told us. They had three children at the time. "She came back with a 14-foot sailboat on a trailer hitched to the back of the car." He was bowled over by her thoughtfulness. An avid sailor since he was 13 years old, Jesse loved taking his small boat out by himself on the lake. "It was my quiet time," he said. He kept the boat even after they sold the vacation home. Cyril Manson has two sons, five grandsons, and is expecting a great-grandchild soon. He has received many presents of socks, ties, shirts and cologne for past Father's Day celebrations. But lately he tells his family not to bother getting him presents. "As long as they think of me and care for me—that's enough," he said. No matter how you choose to appreciate them, the fatherly figures in your life are treasures. Letting them know that is the best gift of all.

Recently students from Heschel Day School in Northridge joined hands with residents at the Eisenberg Village campus of the Los Angeles Jewish Home to create hygiene kits for homeless people. Both groups of people were independently looking for an opportunity to give back to the community. Heschel's Rabbi Scott Westle and the Home's Rabbi Ron Goldberg thought the two populations would love to collaborate on this worthwhile project—and so they did. "It's a wonderful program," said Rabbi Goldberg. "This is a good chance for our residents to engage in social activism and contribute to the larger community around us." Rabbi Westle noted, "It's intergenerational dialogue and community problem solving. The real magic that stems from this event is the conversations the students are having with the residents sitting next to them." The seventh graders researched the problem of homelessness and decided hygiene kits would bring aid, comfort, and dignity to those without permanent housing. Over 200 finished kits were given to LA Family Housing, an organization that helps homeless people regain their footing in society. The Home's residents—whose average age is 92—enjoyed kibitzing with the 12- and 13-year olds. "This was so wonderful," said resident Karen Meyer. "I'm so proud of the kids for coming." Audrey Berger commented, "The kids had a ball!" And Shoshana Oshradt was thrilled the Home participated in a program like this. "There is nothing out there like the Jewish Home," she said. "Rabbi Ron is terrific!" The Heschel Day School students were just as happy about the occasion. Student Leila said, "We worked together with people of different ages to help the homeless." Rabbi Westle summed up the event by saying, "Our students created a product to make the lives of the homeless better. They also networked with a population to whom they don't normally have access." The making of the kits lasted only 15 minutes, but the students and residents chatted together for an hour.

There is no such thing as the Ten Commandments. At least our ancestors did not call them the “Ten Commandments.” Why would they? Not all 10 of them are commandments. Take the first one, for example: “I am God.” That is a statement, not a commandment. Our ancestors noticed the difference. In Hebrew, the name of what we in English call the Ten Commandments is “Aseret Hadibrot,” which means the Ten Utterances or the Ten Statements or the Ten Declarations. Here they are in brief just to refresh your memory: I am GodYou shall have no other gods but meDon’t take God’s name in vainRemember the Sabbath (Shabbat)Honor your father and your mother No murderNo adulteryNo stealingNo false testimonyDon't covet Of these ten, which do you think is the most important? I can tell you which I think is the least obvious and also the most insightful. Least obvious because if you assembled a random group of people who did not know of the ten commandments and asked them to write ten, it is unlikely they would come up with this one. And most insightful—because it is this commandment that is the most psychologically astute. It is the tenth one: You shall not covet. The Hebrew, lo tachmod, means “do not be obsessively jealous.” In full it reads: You shall not covet (be obsessively jealous of) your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his servants, nor his cattle, nor anything that is your neighbor’s. This commandment is amazing! It tells us so much about human nature. First of all, consider what a house was like 3500 years ago, when the Torah was written. A shack? A cave? A hut? What could possibly have been so nice about your neighbor’s “house” that you would be jealous? Nicer dirt on his or her floor? There must be something in human nature that makes us envy our neighbors, acquaintances and even strangers, regardless of whether their lives are substantively better. Also noteworthy here is that the Torah rarely dictates how we should feel. Much more commonly the Torah instructs us on behavior. So why is it that in this one commandment we are told how we should not feel? The instruction seems to be precautionary. If you are jealous of the other then that jealousy could lead to regrettable behavior. And if you are jealous of the other then you are missing out on the gifts of your own life. Judaism wants us to count our blessings, to be grateful for what we have. The Talmud instructs: “Who is rich? The one who is grateful for what she/he has.” Shavuot is coming. On that holiday we study and chant the Ten Commandments. Let us rejoice, on that day and every day, in the gifts of our lives! Maybe then, instead of worrying about what our neighbor might have that we lack, we will worry about what others may lack and how we can help them out.

A good night's sleep is a powerful tonic, promoting both physical and mental well-being. American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) President Dr. Safwan Badr says, "Sleep is a necessity, not a luxury. You must sleep well to be well." The AASM notes that poor sleep is linked to problems such as obesity, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes. Interrupted sleep or not enough sleep can leave you feeling tired, irritable, sluggish, and hungry the next day. As we get older, we have less deep sleep at night. We also experience fewer episodes of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, the part of sleep where dreams occur. Here are 10 tips for good sleep hygiene. Stick to a regular sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.Practice a relaxing bedtime ritual such as watching television or reading, but not on a tablet or device emitting blue light, such as your cell phone. Some people keep blue-light-emitting devices out of the bedroom altogether.Avoid napping in the afternoon as it can reduce your body's drive to sleep at night.Exercise daily, preferably in the morning or afternoon—the more rigorously, the better.Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. The National Sleep Foundation recommends a temperature between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit.Sleep on a comfy mattress with good pillows.Avoid bright light in the evening, but let the sun shine in through the windows in the morning to keep your body's circadian (internal clock) rhythms in good order.Avoid caffeine, cigarettes, heavy meals, and alcohol in the evening. The Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School notes that alcohol, while initially relaxing, acts as a stimulant after a few hours.If you lie awake in bed for more than 20 minutes, get up and move to another room. Read or listen to music until you feel tired enough to sleep, then go back to bed. The bedroom should be dedicated to sleeping only.When all else fails, some doctors recommend prescription sleep aids which are short-acting and won't leave you groggy the next day. Please consult a physician before taking any medication. Note: some sleeping problems or interruptions are caused by underlying medical conditions such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or narcolepsy. If you suspect this might be the case for you, see your medical doctor or a sleep specialist.

In need of home health care for you or a loved one? Let Jewish Home Care Services (JHCS) bring the care you need right to your home! JHCS provides services to adults who require skilled nursing or rehabilitative care in their homes due to a medical condition. When recovering from a surgery, injury, or accident, home healthcare can be an excellent option to help you get back on your feet in the comfort of your own home. Home healthcare enables a patient’s physician to prescribe and develop an individualized plan of care in coordination with the patient and with JHCS. Services are provided by our multidisciplinary team members, who include a medical director; registered nurse; licensed vocational nurse; certified home health aide; physical, occupational, and speech therapists; a medical social worker; and dietary services. JHCS services include: assessing physical status, functional level, and potential for rehabilitationproviding therapeutic rehabilitative training programs to improve the patient’s ability to carry out activities of daily living. These include:bathing and showeringpersonal hygiene and groomingdressingtoilet hygieneself-feedingtransferring (the ability to walk and get in and out of bed, a chair or care)providing counseling related to the impact of illness and assists with referrals to community resources. Some of our specialty services include infusion therapy, wound care, diabetic management, and rehabilitation. Jewish Home Care Services is a Medicare certified and JCAHO accredited home health agency of the Los Angeles Jewish Home. For more information, please call (818) 655-0411 or visit our Home Care Services page.

On Sunday, May 13, 2018, the Jewish Home will host the twenty-fourth annual World's Largest Mother's Day Celebration. The event will honor the Home's mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and even great-great-grandmothers on both the Grancell Village and Eisenberg Village campuses. The Mother's Day Celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m. Everyone can enjoy a festive brunch while listening – and dancing – to the music of the Skye Michaels Orchestra. Chaired by Debbie Weiss and Marcie Weiss, the event promises to provide a wonderful opportunity for 1,000 seniors and their families to gather together to celebrate this special day. Tickets for adults (age 12 and older) are $25.00 each and children's tickets (ages 5-11) are $12.00 each. There is no charge for Jewish Home residents and children under age 5. Tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, May 9th. For more information and to purchase tickets for the World's Largest Mother's Day Celebration, please contact Denise Horowitz at [email protected] or (818) 774-3324.