Healthy eating should be a priority throughout our lives. As we age, it becomes an important factor in staying active and independent. Planning our meals with a focus on getting the right nutrients and maintaining a healthy weight will give our immune system a boost. Plan your meals to maximize nutrients by including lean protein, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. Seniors may become more susceptible to foodborne illnesses as their immune system weakens and stomach acid decreases, leaving bodies unable to fully fight the bacteria or virus causing the illness. For older adults age 65+, the results can be dangerous, even fatal. If you have ever experienced a foodborne illness, commonly known as food poisoning, you know it is extremely unpleasant, to say the least. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, even body aches, fever and headaches combine to create quite the memorable experience. This takes a toll on the human body at any age, often resulting in dehydration and an overall feeling of weakness. The good news is we can take action to prevent contracting foodborne illnesses by following 4 basic food safety rules: CLEAN. Washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water throughout the food preparation process. Be sure to wash them again if you sneeze or cough. Also keep all surfaces clean, including counters, cutting boards, and tables as well as utensils.SEPARATE. Be sure to keep raw and cooked foods separate. While in the refrigerator, raw fruits, vegetables and ready-to-eat foods should be kept away from raw meats. During prep, clean surfaces and wash your hands after handling raw foods.COOK. Always cook foods to their proper temperatures. A food thermometercan ensure your food is cooked thoroughly all the way through. When preparing food in a microwave, make sure there aren't any cold spots that may contain bacteria.CHILL. Refrigerate foods promptly. Follow the 2 Hour Rule: Don't allow perishable foods to sit on the counter for more than 2 hours. Do not thaw meat on the counter! Toss any food not stored at the appropriate temperature for more than 2 hours. There are also some foods that seniors should avoid or consider carefully before eating: raw fishhot dogs and lunch meat unless heated to the appropriate temperatureraw or unpasteurized milk or fruit and vegetable juicesrefrigerated pates or smoked fishraw or lightly cooked eggsraw meat or poultryraw sprouts So be careful about storing, preparing and eating food. By cleaning, separating, cooking, and chilling you can help prevent contracting a foodborne illness… at any age!

You know the names: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube. They’re seemingly everywhere and used by seemingly everyone. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, social media is becoming increasingly important for seniors. From 2013-2015, social media use by Americans 65 and older increased from 27% to 34%. Younger senior citizens were more likely to use social media, with a Pew research study finding that 45% of those under 75 do so, versus 20% of those 75 and older. Pew added social networking use is common among seniors with some college experience and an annual household income of at least $50,000.Studies also that show social media has become helpful in reducing isolation, loneliness, and other depressive symptoms. Still, many seniors don’t use social media. And that’s unfortunate. Because social media offers many advantages. Following are 6 reasons why you should make more of social media. 1. Get connectedSocial media gives you the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. It’s a simple, entertaining way to learn about what your friends and family are doing—and let them know what you are doing. Sharing experiences is a great way to cement bonds with family and friends. 2. Be entertainedWhere else can you see a cat playing the piano, a man juggling a running chainsaw, and a concert pianist playing Bach—all for free? On your phone, on your computer, on your tablet. That’s entertainment! 3. Stay informedSocial media provides a powerful source of news and information. With a simple click, you can learn the latest in politics or the history of China—and so much more. Twitter is great for finding specific news sections you want to follow. Social media helps you get in the know. 4. Have your sayEverybody has an opinion. Social media provides a way to make your voice heard and engage in discussions with people who may (or may not) agree with you. Of course, the first rule in social media: be polite! 5. Check out dealsSocial media often runs ads targeted to your particular likes. It also frequently offers special deals to encourage you to purchase. 6. Watch for classes and eventsAre there any interesting classes or events being held nearby that might interest you? Social media will tell you where they are and when to go! If you aren’t using social media, look into it. We think you’ll find it fun and informative.

For the first time, the nation will celebrate and recognize the work of Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE®) by establishing September as National PACE Month. PACE coordinates and provides all needed preventive, primary, acute, and long-term care services to older adults allowing them to live at home in their communities. In recognition of the first National PACE Month and National Fall Prevention Awareness Day (September 22), the Jewish Home's Brandman Centers for Senior Care (BCSC) will celebrate with weeklong interactive fall prevention activities.; From September 18th through September 22nd, BCSC participants and staff will engage in fun and educative fall prevention workshops, activities, demos, and raffles. The PACE model of care is a fully integrated, provider-based model that revolves around an interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers, dietitians, drivers, and others who provide direct care and services to meet program participant needs. Despite serving a very frail nursing home-eligible senior population, only five percent of participants are living in nursing homes at any given time. More than 90 percent of PACE participants say they are very satisfied with PACE and would refer PACE to a close friend. Nationally, 122 PACE programs in 31 states serve more than 40,000 PACE enrollees. Currently, PACE organizations in California serve more than 7,000 participants at 37 PACE Centers and Alternative Care Sites in 12 counties, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, and Santa Clara. CalPACE also provides tremendous fiscal benefits to the state of California in savings of up to $19 million per year. For more information about Brandman Centers for Senior Care and PACE, please visit our website at www.brandmanseniorcare.org or call (818) 774-8444.

September is Healthy Aging Month. Here are 6 things you can do to maintain your health as you age. 1. Keep movingWant to maintain a healthy body and mind? Exercise! Doctors recommend you get at least two and a half hours of exercise a week. Belong to a gym? Go! How about a daily brisk walk with a friend or family—or the family pet—which bolsters both your heart and lungs? Practice yoga or tai chi to improve balance and help prevent falls. Dance or do yardwork. The point is, keep moving. 2. Eat rightRemember what your parents told you: eat lots of fruits and veggies. Beans and other high-fiber foods are excellent for digestive and heart health. Feeling lethargic? Eat iron-rich foods such as spinach, beans, dried fruit, and meats. Want a snack? Stay away from processed sugar foods. Try nuts, dried fruit or trail mix. And remember, September is still harvest season, so check out your local farmers market. 3. Get your sleepLike they say, sleep is the best medicine. If you have trouble sleeping, talk to a sleep specialist. And take cat naps. Healthy Aging® magazine reports people who take naps are 37% less likely to die from heart disease. 4. Be socialThere's a link between having active social ties and living a longer life. Spend time with family. See old friends and make new ones. Surround yourself with positive people who make you happy. Continue your old hobbies and find new ones you can do with your friends or alone. 5. Keep learningIt's never too late to learn something new! Learn how to paint, sculpt, or play a musical instrument. Take history or computer classes. Study archeology or architecture. Learn whatever interests you. Remember, when you learn, you grow. 6. Spend wiselyCreate a budget. It's important to know where your money is going. And reducing your expenses can help reduce stress in your life. Plus, the money you save can go toward activities you enjoy: traveling, hobbies, sports…whatever makes you happy and keeps you moving. Celebrate Healthy Aging Month this month… and every month!

As we prepare for the High Holy Days, we reflect on the past and look toward the future. At the Los Angeles Jewish Home, we use the strong foundation of our history to build a bright future for our residents and their families. This year has brought about big changes for the Home, particularly at our Grancell Village campus. In August, we completed demolition of approximately half of our Grancell campus. This is the first step to expanding our capacity to serve seniors in need of housing with assisted living, memory care, a community clinic and more. While the change will ultimately result in an expansion of programs and services, it means the Home is unable to accommodate family members for High Holy Days services and meals at Grancell Village. We are very sorry for this inconvenience and the interruption in what is a long-standing tradition at the Home. At Eisenberg Village, family members and guests are welcome to join their loved ones for services and meals throughout the High Holy Days. Services will be led by Rabbi Ron Goldberg and Cantor Joel Stern in the Ziman Family Synagogue. Please contact Allison Tepper at (818) 774-3386 or [email protected] for more information. Tickets must be purchased by September 13th. At Grancell Village, residents and rehab patients will have the option of attending our mainstream services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur or a liturgical musical High Holy Days experience. All will be under the direction of Rabbi Karen Bender, director of spiritual life for the Jewish Home. On behalf of the Los Angeles Jewish Home and our residents, we wish you a healthy and happy New Year! L'Shana Tova!

May I invite you to consider Adam’s point of view. Remember Adam? The very first human being, born into the Garden of Eden on the sixth day of creation. Adam loved the sun. He enjoyed its light and its warmth upon his skin. So you can imagine what happened when he experienced his first sunset. At first it must have been breathtaking for him—the variant colors in the sky as the day came to a close. But according to midrashic commentary on the Torah, once the sunset was complete Adam burst into tears. Where did that beloved ball of warmth and light go? Did I do something to cause it to leave? No human being had ever experienced a sunset before, so Adam assumed that it was gone forever. Imagine how thrilled Adam was the next morning when he saw the sun rise for the first time. He sang and danced and rejoiced! Adam marveled at the magnificence of the sun. What if we felt that way each morning? What if we woke up in awe of the magical sun as if the sun’s very existence were a genuine miracle? If you happened to be here at the Grancell Village Campus of the Los Angeles Jewish Home on August 21st around 10:00 a.m., then you witnessed that type of enthusiasm. The family of one of our residents was kind and thoughtful enough to bring multiple pairs of viewing glasses for our residents and staff. One by one people shared the glasses and gazed into the sky with wonderment and awe. News agencies reported that this went on all over the country. Millions of Americans stopped to watch. I’m no scientist but I have got to say: what is the likelihood that the sun would be 400 times the size of the moon and also 400 times further away from the earth than the moon, so that this perfect encounter could occur? It’s amazing. And from a Jewish point of view, a solar eclipse can only take place on the eve of Rosh Chodesh, the Jewish holiday celebrating the new moon, the first of the month. With the events that took place last week in Charlottesville, Virginia, many Americans felt a sense of hopelessness and even fear that we are sliding backwards in time, as if there has been an eclipse of the hearts of many of our people. But then so many came out of the woodwork during the week and on the weekend following, demonstrating against bigotry, against racism, against neo-nazism. There has been an eclipse of the sun but not a “total eclipse of the heart.” Perhaps if we can all remember that we are all citizens of the earth, inhabitants of the same universe, all descendants from Adam and Eve, we will remember, as Jewish tradition teaches, that no one can say, “my lineage is better than yours.” We are all one, warmed by the same sun.Rabbi Karen BenderSkirball Director of Spiritual [email protected]

When most of us hear the words "vaccination" or "immunization" we automatically think: oh, that's for kids. It's true: young children receive several vaccinations as they grow up and prepare to attend school, including measles, mumps, chickenpox, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, or whooping cough. Influenza, or flu, shots are administered yearly beginning as young as six months. The bad news is…getting older doesn't mean you no longer need those shots! Throughout our lives we can be susceptible to catching many diseases just by coming into physical contact with someone who is ill or breathing air that is carrying germs from a sneeze or cough. We all know the importance of sneezing into a tissue or the crook of our arm when we have a cold and washing our hands frequently — all the time. These simple actions can help prevent transmission of illness from person to person. For some diseases, however, an immunization is necessary to help keep you healthy. As we get older, our age, job, lifestyle, travel, or health conditions can put us at risk for acquiring vaccine-preventable diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), here are the immunizations adults should receive to help prevent them from getting and spreading serious diseases that could result in poor health, missed work, medical bills, and not being able to care for family: seasonal flu (influenza) — All adults need this vaccine every year. It's especially important for people with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, and older adults.pneumococcal — There are two types of vaccines that are necessary to help fight pneumonia and its complications in seniors. The first is Pneumovax, which is given once. The second is Prevnar 13, which is also a one-time vaccine and should be given one year after receiving Pneumovax or vice versa. Tdap (whooping cough) and Td (tetanus and diphtheria) — Every adult should get a Tdap shot once if they did not receive it as an adolescent. All adults need a Td booster shot every 10 years. Herpes zoster — Zostavax is a one-time vaccination; however, since it contains a live Virus, some people should not take it. Be sure to check with your doctor to see if you are up to date on your immunizations and make a plan to follow up yearly. Regular visits can help insure you and your doctor are doing your most to protect your health…and you can improve your chances of living a healthy life at any age.

Each year on August 11th, sons and daughters across the country celebrate National Sons and Daughters Day. It's an important day for us here at the Los Angeles Jewish Home. That's because, first, every resident of the Home, every patient we care for, and every member of our staff is, of course, a son or daughter. Often, there are people in our lives we may regard as our "son" or "daughter." This could be a family member, children of close friends, or a "little brother and sister" from a community organization. Today is a day for all of us to show our appreciation for the sons and daughters in our lives. Here are 6 ways you can celebrate this special day: Cook a favorite meal togetherWatch a favorite movie or go to the theaterGo to a museumDine out for lunch or dinnerLook at old photographs and reminisceEnjoy an ice cream together If a son or daughter has moved away, call, Facetime, or Skype them and have a nice, long chat. Celebrate this special day with your children or anyone else who's like a son or daughter to you.

The residents of Eisenberg Village recently received a very unusual and thought-provoking gift from Dan Rosenfeld — a Jewish encyclopedia. Written in the 1970s, the encyclopedia consists of 20 volumes in pristine condition. The Jewish encyclopedia was given to Dan by his grandfather, Karl Frey, and he is now passing it on to the Home's Eisenberg Village seniors. "As a kid, every family had to have an encyclopedia," said Dan. "It was necessary — part of raising a family and part of being Jewish." Dan sees learning as a lifelong challenge. "Today, because of the accelerating pace of research and knowledge, it's more important than ever for seniors to keep current and keep the brain active," he explained. Even with new technology and communication tools, such as computers, the internet, and social media, physical books still have a special meaning. "There's something to holding a book, the physical aspect of turning a page. It is part of our childhood, a communal memory," said Dan. Joy Picus, a former Los Angeles City Councilwoman and current resident of Fountainview at Eisenberg Village, is a community leader who Dan has admired for many years, both professionally and as a personal friend. They stayed in touch over the years. When Dan mentioned he and his wife were downsizing and had this encyclopedia, Joy suggested it would be beneficial and interesting to the residents at the Jewish Home and suggested a visit. "I was deeply moved by my visit to the Home — at the quality of services and facilities — and even the food! It is a very impressive operation," Dan noted. Sitting and talking with the seniors at the Home reminded him of a visit 50 years ago to the senior home in Portland. To become an Eagle Scout he had to do a community service project. Dan chose to visit the senior home and interview the residents. He collected their stories and published a newsletter — printed on a mimeograph machine! Even then, at the age of 14, he was fascinated and interested in seniors and their stories. And now, thanks to Dan's generosity, the seniors at Eisenberg Village will be able to research and learn, and perhaps tell their stories, using their newly donated Jewish encyclopedia.