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Rancho Mirage, CA (March 22, 2024) — Made possible through generous philanthropic support, Eisenhower Health has purchased the Neuro Vitality Center (formerly the Stroke Recovery Center). In partnership with Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJHealth), Eisenhower will provide a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) at the former Neuro Vitality Center location. After a renovation, the site is expected to open with a new name and focus in the next 12 to 18 months. “Eisenhower Health is committed to addressing the long-term health care needs for low-income seniors through this new Center and PACE program,” says Martin Massiello, President and Chief Executive Officer, Eisenhower Health. “We are incredibly grateful for the support of our generous donors which will aid in serving the area’s most vulnerable residents.” “Having served neurologically challenged and chronically ill members of the community for over 46 years, the Neuro Vitality Center (Stroke Recovery Center) is pleased to turn the reins over to Eisenhower to expand treatment to this vulnerable population in need,” says Beverly Greer, Chief Executive Officer, Neuro Vitality Center. “Increased access and more services will only serve to enhance the quality of life and health for patients well into the future.” “Los Angeles Jewish Health is delighted to partner with Eisenhower Health in bringing our world-class PACE program, entitled the Brandman Centers for Senior Care, to residents of the Coachella Valley,” remarks Dale Surowitz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles Jewish Health. “We look forward to working with the organization to meet the needs of the community’s high-risk seniors, while helping to improve the health of the broader community.” PACE provides not only medical care and nutritious meals but also fun activities, exercise, parties, and the opportunity to socialize and make friends, erasing the isolation so common among many of today’s seniors. LAJHealth’s PACE receives approval and oversight from both the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the California Department of Health Care Services’ (CDHCS) Integrated Systems of Care Division. Los Angeles Jewish Health’s PACE is a member of the National PACE Association and CalPACE. Founded in 1912, Los Angeles Jewish Health 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; PACE; hospice and palliative care; and geriatric health and memory care. Los Angeles Jewish Health is also home to the Annenberg School of Nursing. Eisenhower Health is a not-for-profit, comprehensive health care institution that includes the 437-bed Eisenhower Hospital, the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center at Eisenhower and the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower. Eisenhower is renowned for its Centers of Excellence in Orthopedics, Cardiovascular, Neuroscience and Oncology. Situated on 106 acres in Rancho Mirage, and with outpatient clinics across the valley, Eisenhower Health has provided a full range of quality medical and educational services for more than 50 years for residents and visitors to the greater Coachella Valley. Eisenhower has twice earned ANCC Magnet Recognition® for professionalism in nursing and excellence in patient care. The first accredited teaching hospital in the valley, Eisenhower trains physician residents in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine and offers several fellowships. For more information, visit EisenhowerHealth.org or follow Eisenhower Health on social media.

Friedman-Rudzki brings passion and experience to leading nonprofit focused on senior care (RESEDA, CA – July 5, 2024) Los Angeles Jewish Health has appointed long-time supporter Judy Friedman-Rudzki as chair of its board of directors. Friedman-Rudzki, a prominent Los Angeles-based director and senior treasury officer at Bank of America, will serve a two-year term beginning July 3rd.In her new leadership role, Friedman-Rudzki—only the second woman to occupy the position—will collaborate with senior leaders of the organization as well as colleagues and the broader community to advance the mission of LAJH, one of the nation’s foremost leaders in the provision of care and living options for seniors.“LAJH is a pillar of our community, helping elderly men and women age in comfort and with respect and dignity. I look forward to bringing my professional experience to bear in building on the organization’s incredible vision and ensuring it upholds its fiduciary responsibility to donors,” Friedman-Rudzki said.As board chair, Friedman-Rudzki will spearhead and coordinate the efforts of diverse board professionals whose volunteer service helps strengthen LAJH and ensure its ongoing ability to provide high-quality care for seniors across the Los Angeles area. She will also work in tandem with LAJH executives to meet key strategic objectives such as expanding the organization’s capacity to serve the growing number of older adults  through programs like the Brandman Centers for Senior Care PACE, a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.Friedman-Rudzki has served in a broad array of leadership capacities at LAJH dating back to 2009. Previously a member of the board’s Strategic Planning Committee, she has also chaired its Budget and Finance Committee and in-residence boards for both Grancell Village and Eisenberg Village campuses of LAJH. In addition, she has served on the board of the Annenberg School of Nursing.“As CEO of LAJH, I am delighted to welcome Judy Friedman-Rudzki as our new board chair. Judy’s deep commitment to our mission and her exemplary leadership qualities will undoubtedly continue to steer us towards even greater achievements in senior care and community health. Together, we look forward to continuing our legacy of compassionate service and innovative care for all those we are privileged to serve,” said Dale Surowitz, LAJH’s president and chief executive officer.   ### About Los Angeles Jewish Health: 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); hospice and palliative care; and geriatric and memory care. Los Angeles Jewish Health is also home to the Annenberg School of Nursing

 Leading foundation supports Southern California’s premier senior healthcare provider(LOS ANGELES, CA – October 2, 2024)  Los Angeles Jewish Health has received a $1 million donation from the Alfred E. Mann Charities Inc., a prominent Los Angeles-based charitable foundation that supports scientific advancement, education, community development, and cultural initiatives. The gift will support the newest location of LAJH’s Brandman Centers for Senior Care, a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).Situated in the heart of L.A.’s Pico-Robertson neighborhood, the new Westside BCSC is a full-service adult day care center offering head-to-toe medical assistance, social activities, transportation, and home care services to eligible seniors. Through its 5,000-square-foot Wellness Center, the Westside BCSC’s coordinated team orchestrates comprehensive health services including medical and specialty care, behavioral health services, social work services, physical and occupational therapy services, home care services, prescription medications, and delicious meals. The Wellness Center is being named in the Alfred E. Mann Charities’ honor in recognition of its landmark gift, which will help advance the Westside BCSC’s work and play an important role in enabling the facility to serve more than 400 area seniors.“We are tremendously grateful to the Alfred E. Mann Charities for helping to further LAJH’s mission to provide excellence in senior care reflective of Jewish values for all,” said Dale Surowitz, LAJH’s president and chief executive officer. “Thanks to this gift, our newest Brandman Center will have critical resources to make a meaningful difference in seniors’ lives.”Each day, BCSC PACE offers a vital lifeline for frail, elderly adults still living in the community (more than 95% of program participants live outside of a nursing home). Most participants are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Once they enroll, the BCSC becomes their exclusive provider for all medical needs—coordinating their appointments and care and eliminating the need for them to pay medical bills.For the Alfred E. Mann Charities, investing in the vision of the BCSC continues a longstanding partnership with Los Angeles Jewish Health.“We are proud supporters of LAJH, a community where every individual is valued and treated with kindness,” said Michael Dreyer, president of the Alfred E. Mann Charities, and Anoosheh Bostani, the organization’s chief financial officer. “The team is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for seniors by providing exceptional medical care rooted in compassion, respect, and dignity.” The Alfred E. Mann Wellness Center in the Brandman Centers for Senior Care West Los Angeles LocationExam room at the Mann Wellness CenterTreatment room at the Mann Wellness CenterDental Exam room at the Mann Wellness Center

(RESEDA, CA – November 25, 2024) On September 1, 2024, Gideon Orion and Yossi Reinstein commenced their two-year term as Co-Presidents of The Guardians, a philanthropic volunteer group of Los Angeles Jewish Health in its 86th year supporting LAJH. The duo were unanimously confirmed by the board of directors earlier this year. The focus of the group is to raise funds to support the 4,000+ seniors cared for by the non-profit organization each year. Yossi and Gideon have a rich history with both The Guardians and LAJH. They had previously served The Guardians as Co-Chairs of the Young Men's Division, held various executive board positions, and have been integral in chairing some of the organization’s largest events, including the 2023 Guardians Comedy Night featuring Sarah Silverman and Jeff Ross (Yossi), and the 2024 Guardians Real Estate Dinner honoring Ben Leeds and Fred Leeds (Gideon).For Yossi, The Guardians and Los Angeles Jewish Health have long been part of his life, with his grandfather, Harry Berrin, having served as Guardians President in 1975. "The mission of The Guardians and Los Angeles Jewish Health is immensely near and dear to me," said Yossi, who after moving from Boston to Los Angeles was encouraged to join The Guardians by family friend and renowned philanthropist Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer. Gideon's Guardians story began over a decade ago, with former CEO-President of Los Angeles Jewish Health, Molly Forrest, inviting the new Guardian to also join the board of directors for LAJH’s Eisenberg Village and Grancell Village in-residence campuses. A nationally recognized healthcare real estate broker specializing in the sale of senior living and skilled nursing facilities, along with being elected as Co-President of The Guardians, Gideon continues to serve on the Board of Directors for Los Angeles Jewish Health and currently chairs the In-Residence Services subsidiary board.In commenting on the leadership appointments, President and CEO of Los Angeles Jewish Health, Dale Surowitz said, "We are delighted to have Gideon and Yossi take the helm, bringing their enthusiasm and fresh vision as they embark on leading the work of The Guardians over the next two years. This commitment continues to build upon the outstanding support they have already demonstrated to the seniors we care for each day at Los Angeles Jewish Health”.   Yossi Reinstein and Gideon Orion ### About The Guardians: The Guardians of Los Angeles Jewish Health is a group of men and women committed to supporting the seniors cared for by Los Angeles Jewish Health. Since 1938, the mission of the Guardians has been to provide financial support for members of the community who are served by Los Angeles Jewish Health through residential and community-based programs. The Guardians Young Men’s and Young Women’s Divisions were founded to bring younger community members to support The Guardians and prepare future leaders. These groups hold activities geared to their interests as well as provide leadership and social opportunities for members in their ‘20s and ‘30s. For more information, visit LAGuardians.org.  About Los Angeles Jewish Health:Founded in 1912, Los Angeles Jewish Health 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; PACE (Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly); hospice & palliative care; and geriatric health and memory care. Los Angeles Jewish Health is also home to the Annenberg School of Nursing. About Gideon Orion: Gideon Orion is a Managing Director and California broker of record for Walker & Dunlop. With a focus on the sale of senior living and skilled nursing assets, over his 17-year real estate career, Gideon has closed transactions valued at over $4.0 billion on behalf of his clients, including 10 transactions valued at over $100M. A trusted advisor to his clients for his market expertise and relationships within the industry, Gideon provides a strategic role relating to the disposition of real estate portfolios, as well as single-asset sales and PropCo/OpCo joint venture transactions. Clients include traded and non-traded REITs, real estate private equity firms, national and regional senior housing operators, high-net-worth investors, family offices, and non-profit corporations. Gideon earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from California State University, Northridge, and is a former California Champion Speaker for Toastmasters International. Additionally, he is a member of the Board of Directors for Los Angeles Jewish Health, and chairs the In-Residence Services Board for LAJH.  About Yossi Reinstein: Yossi Reinstein is an accomplished real estate developer and the Principal of Maker Kitchens Group, a forward-thinking development firm specializing in the acquisition and repurposing of distressed industrial and retail assets into vibrant multi-tenant Commercial Kitchen Centers. His innovative approach to real estate not only revitalizes neighborhoods but also supports local food entrepreneurs.As a guest lecturer at UCLA Anderson School of Management's Ziman Center for Real Estate, Yossi shares his insights and expertise with the next generation of leaders in the industry. His dedication to community service is evident through his active involvement in various philanthropic initiatives. He co-chaired The Guardians' Young Men's Division from 2015 to 2017 and played a key role in rebranding The Jewish Home for the Aging to LA Jewish Health. From 2022 to 2024, he served as Vice President of Public Relations for The Guardians, where he furthered their mission of support and advocacy.In 2019, Yossi helped the Pico Union Project rebuild their Commercial Kitchen Commissary, demonstrating his commitment to enhancing local food infrastructure. He also contributed to the strategic planning committee for Habonim Dror and Camp Gilboa, assisting the organization in navigating cash flow opportunities related to valuable real estate assets they needed to reposition. An alumnus of the Community Leadership Institute of the Jewish Federation, Yossi completed a two-year program focused on effectively aiding individuals in need across Greater Los Angeles. His commitment to community engagement extends to international outreach, having spent ten days in Israel in late 2022 meeting with local leaders to explore avenues for support.Yossi has also served on the Brawerman Fellowship Selection Committee for 2022 and 2023, where he evaluated hundreds of applications and helped allocate grants to deserving Jewish high school students in need.He resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Hannah, and their three children: Walter, Billie and Jane. Yossi’s passion for real estate development, community service, and education reflects his dedication to making a meaningful impact both locally and beyond. 

The Los Angeles Jewish Home sparkles on every level, but one of its crown jewels is the Dietary Department, a collection of remarkable staff members who work tirelessly to keep Jewish Home residents happy, healthy, and able to enjoy some of life's finer pleasures. During holidays and every day, the approximately 60 employees based on the Grancell Village campus and 45 at Eisenberg Village are on their feet—and on their toes—making sure they deliver our seniors the very best cuisine possible. It is, notes department director Cindy Cordon, a massive and ambitious enterprise. "We serve nearly 500 residents in 12 different locations on two campuses, plus we have Gerald's Deli and Café Rendezvous (the on-campus, to-go locations at Grancell Village and Eisenberg Village, respectively), and everything—except for blintzes and pies—are made from scratch," she says. "We have cooks and sous chefs and bakers who make fresh desserts for residents on both campuses, as well as challah every Friday. We have food preparers, dessert preparers, platers, and even someone dedicated to making purees for the seniors. It takes a lot of love and care to keep it all going!" That love, says Chief Mission Officer Rabbi Karen Bender, is always on full display. "You just have to taste the food and look at the presentation to know the dietary staff does everything with such wonderful intention. The kitchen is the heart of any Jewish home, and that's also true at our Jewish Home. The people who cook and serve food to our residents are so loving in their preparation. As a rabbi, their sincerity, conscientiousness, and care are beautiful to watch." Cindy, a certified specialist in gerontological nutrition, has been at the Jewish Home for 15 years. As she tells it, success on the job has meant mastering the art of menu planning. "Menu is the center of everything," she says. "It dictates what's required, from food and equipment to quantity and labor. It's also key for resident satisfaction. We have monthly food committees so we can get feedback from residents, and we incorporate as many of their requests as possible. We're honored they've placed their trust in us, and we want to make sure they feel listened to." Under Cindy's direction, the Jewish Home menu is built on a five-week cycle that rotates seasonally. "We want residents to enjoy a wide variety of tastes, and we are constantly evaluating whether something worked or not," she says. To that end, she is frequently revising meals on the fly. "Out of 14 lunches and dinners, I may end up changing half, based on how people respond. We also send menus to the families of some of our residents, who help us customize meals according to their loved ones' individual needs. In total, we have about 56 customized menus!" It's a lot to keep track of and gets even more complicated during Jewish holidays like Passover. Although the Jewish Home's kitchens are fully kosher for year-round food preparation, they must undergo a special process to make them kosher l'Pesach (kosher for Passover). "We kasher the kitchen two days before the first seder. Everything is removed. Then we do a deep clean, from floor to ceiling. At Grancell Village this year, we spent approximately 20 hours on the floor alone! We turn on all the stoves and put everything that holds water on high until it's boiling, and then let it boil for two hours. Then we dip all the silverware in boiling water. After that, we scoop, splash, and pour water on every working surface throughout the kitchen, as well as the deli," Cindy says. The entire process is supervised by a mashgiach—an authority on maintaining the kashrut status of a kosher establishment. "Our mashgiach says the Jewish Home has the most expert staff at kashering for Passover he's ever worked with, which is high praise," Rabbi Bender says. "They really do an extraordinary job." It's a job Cindy and her staff are thrilled to do. "The Jewish Home is such a special place," she says. "The residents are so amazing. I've created a lot of meaningful relationships here. And I love serving them! Walking around in the dining room, getting a chance to talk to them, to find out how they are and to hear about their lives—it's a real privilege."

The Los Angeles Jewish Home has long been an innovator at the forefront of emerging trends in senior care. This spring, that tradition of trailblazing continues with the rollout of new telehealth technology designed to transform the patient experience. With the acquisition of nearly 20 state-of-the-art mobile telehealth carts, many Jewish Home residents can now access high-quality care without leaving the comfort of a Jewish Home campus. The carts enable residents, supported by their Jewish Home care team, to connect directly with physicians via video; during each visit, doctors can utilize the sophisticated technology to monitor pulse, heart and lung sounds – essentially, conducting a comprehensive visit virtually. "Thanks to this remarkable tool, doctors can look closely at a resident's skin, ears, nose, and mouth, and listen to their heart and lung sounds in a way that is much more patient-centered," says Noah Marco, MD, the Jewish Home's Chief Medical Officer. "With in-person physician visits, residents have to disrupt their daily routines to do what's convenient for the doctor. Our telehealth option streamlines things considerably and eliminates the stress for residents of arranging transportation and finding someone to accompany them to a medical office. It's also wonderful because it allows authorized family members to participate in the visits live, from anywhere in the world: All they need is a smart phone to join. Since family members can be such important members of the care team, this is a fantastic development." At the Jewish Home, the telehealth carts are being used for several types of routine and scheduled appointments, as well as for more pressing visits when a resident experiences a change of health condition. In all cases, use of the carts is optional and requires resident consent. It is also HIPAA compliant, providing a safe, secure, and private line of communication for residents and their physicians. "There are so many benefits to telehealth, the way we're doing it at the Jewish Home," Dr. Marco says. "Often, when a resident has a change of condition, I'll get a phone call from one of our excellent nurses, who will explain to me what's going on. However, the challenge is that over the phone, I don't have a visual. I can't listen to the patient's heart or lungs, and I can't ask them questions. With telehealth, I'm able to hear directly from the resident, and I see live video. I can even do an examination with my digital stethoscope. These things all increase my confidence that I'm making the right diagnosis and ultimately reduces the need to send our residents to the hospital." There is also, notes Dr. Marco, another significant benefit of supplementing care with telehealth. "In addition to meeting patients' needs in a better, more efficient, and convenient way, telehealth helps reduce our nurses' stress and increase job satisfaction," he says. "Given the challenges nurses face today, with all the demands from COVID and so many other factors, it's vital we invest in technology that minimizes strain on them while improving overall clinical care." The embrace of telehealth technology accelerated nationwide during the pandemic, when stay-at-home orders and quarantines made venturing out in public more difficult, especially for seniors, whose less robust immune systems increase their vulnerability to illness. Bringing the technology to the Jewish Home was made possible by generous grant support from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and numerous nonprofit foundations including the Ahmanson Foundation, the Max Factor Foundation, and the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles. Currently, the telehealth carts are deployed across the Jewish Home's Grancell Village campus: on the two main floors of the Mark Taper Building, in the Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center, and in the Brandman Centers for Senior Care, a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Ultimately, plans call for expanded distribution across all Jewish Home facilities. "This is a pilot program, so it's still new, but we saw the value in it immediately. The first time we used the cart, the doctor and nurse made a treatment plan for the resident being seen, based on data captured by the technology. Both caregivers felt that, without this technology, the resident would have needed to be transferred to an ER," Dr. Marco says. "Every time we're able to help keep our residents safe and comfortable where they are, it's a big win."

History was recently made at the Los Angeles Jewish Home, as beloved resident and Holocaust survivor Frieda Thompson celebrated her 92nd birthday on the same day she was called to the Torah for her Bat Mitzvah. The date marked another historic milestone: the 100th anniversary of Judith Kaplan, at age 12, becoming the first American girl to celebrate a Bat Mitzvah on March 18, 1922. Frieda, whose parents were murdered by the Nazis, still recalls that one of her mother's final actions was to ensure her brother was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah even as there was chaos all around. Frieda studied for her Bat Mitzvah a few years ago, but COVID-19 prevented gathering as a community at that time. Now, joined by family who flew in from Colorado for the big day, Frieda celebrated her special occasion during the weekly Shabbat Eve Service, in the Weinberg Courtyard of the Jewish Home. She was surrounded by loving family, volunteer leadership, caring staff, and dozens of fellow Jewish Home residents. When asked what this day meant to her, Frieda responded, "Moses was loyal to his family and to the Jewish people. I, too, have always felt loyal to my family and to the Jewish People." In commenting on the significance of the event, Rabbi Karen Bender, the Jewish Home's chief mission officer, commented, "As a small child, Frieda was forced to raise her hand and call out 'Heil Hitler.' Today, her voice rings out as a cherished leader among her peers."

Many seniors rely on a broad array of prescription medicines to help their bodies function smoothly and efficiently. Whether they are taking antibiotics, cholesterol-lowering medications, or painkillers, seniors can benefit enormously from the groundbreaking innovation of research scientists and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Often, and for various reasons, seniors have an overabundance of these medications. Perhaps their physicians prescribed painkillers to take on an as-needed basis, and their pain was brought under control before the medicine was fully used. Maybe they misplaced a bottle of pills, only to unearth them later and find they had expired. Increasingly, pharmacists and other medical professionals are realizing seniors need better information about how to dispose of leftover or excess medicine in a safe and effective way. "Prescription drugs can be dangerous," notes Robert Shmaeff, Director of Pharmacy at the Jewish Home. "Storing unneeded prescription medication at home after completing the prescribed regimen exposes them to children and other people who may not be aware of the risks they present." Fortunately, finding appropriate methods of medication disposal is getting easier. The California State Board of Pharmacy has created an online database of locations offering drug-take-back services statewide. This convenient new resource promotes environmental protection (pills disposed of improperly can contaminate the local water supply) and also helps stop prescription drug abuse. Determining where to dispose of unwanted medications depends, in part, on the type of pills being thrown away. For instance, registered receptacles can collect prescription drugs, including controlled substances, as well as over-the-counter medicine. However, auto-injectors such as EpiPens require alternate handling. Consumers can visit the California Department of Public Health website for more details. In addition to the pharmacy board and state public health department, patients can turn to a variety of other resources for advice on getting rid of medication properly such as the federal Drug Enforcement Administration website and "Don’t Rush to Flush," a site administered by the California Product Stewardship Council that has a wealth of information about responsible drug disposal. These resources are emerging at just the right time: A recent poll by the University of Michigan shows Americans between the age of 50 and 80 receive too little guidance about what to do with medicine they no longer need. Nearly half of survey respondents reported having medication left over; 86 percent of those individuals said they kept the medicine in case their pain returned. "The fact that so many older adults report having leftover opioid pills is a big problem, given the risk of abuse and addiction with these medications," Alison Bryant, Ph.D., senior vice president of research for AARP, said in a press release about the study. The bottom line: Education about what to do with these pills is a critical part of the formula for a healthy society—and vital for keeping seniors active and thriving into their golden years.

There’s a new activity being offered to seniors living in residential care (RCFE) at the Jewish Home’s Eisenberg Village (EV) Campus. Now, in addition to painting, drama, choir, bingo, and a wide variety of discussion groups and other activities, a monthly educational seminar is available. The seminars focus on topics that are important to seniors. “Our goal is to provide an opportunity for our residents to learn from staff they are familiar with as well as speakers from the community,” said RCFE administrator Ashley Teal. “With their input, we created a list of meaningful topics, such as medication protocol, fraud prevention and reducing the risk of falls.” To date, the seminars have been well received, with attendees asking questions and sharing experiences. The topic for the most recent seminar was reducing the risk of falls. Everyone knows a fall is something that can happen to anybody at any time: we trip over a loose rug; we fall out of bed; sometimes we stand up too quickly, get dizzy and fall. But do you know the underlying reasons? Presented by EV’s director of rehabilitation, Deborah Crea, MS, PT, the seminar focused on three main causes of falls: balance, posture, and walking speed.“Our ability to balance is based on three sensory systems: vision, vestibular, or inner ear anatomy, and somatosensory, which is the ability to orient yourself using your joints, muscles, and senses,” explained Deborah. The systems can be affected by many things, including aging, a history of falls, medications, gait, neurological status, use of assistive devices, foot function, cardiovascular status, a fear of falling, vision, incontinence, joint function and pain.“For posture, the ideal is simple: head up, shoulders back, abdominals tight, and glutes tucked in,” Deborah said. If you’ve ever tried to walk while balancing a book on your head, you get the idea! This struck home with some of the residents, as they talked about the posture challenges presented by using a walker and the importance of having the device at the correct height.Last, but certainly not least, is walking speed. This is currently a hot topic in the field of physical therapy. “We are now looking at walking speed as a reflection of various underlying physiological processes,” Deborah continued. “Knowing how much time it takes for someone to walk ten feet can help us predict falls.” Walking speed tells the therapist where someone is in their overall conditioning, cardiovascular health, and ability to participate in activities. For someone being discharged from a hospital, it assists in the determination of appropriate level of care, such as assisted living or skilled nursing.After a fall, physical therapy is needed to help regain or improve overall physical status and reduce the risk of future falls. Balance can be improved by exercises, such as standing with your eyes closed, walking on uneven surfaces, standing on foam, and developing ankle/hip/stepping strategies. Other balance exercises include T’ai chi, yoga, and general strengthening exercises. Specialized testing can determine or rule out vestibular issues.After physical therapy, the goal is to maintain that newly gained physical status, and hopefully continue to build upon it. “At the EV rehab center, our goal is for physical therapy clients to complete their prescribed therapy and then incorporate exercise into their lifestyle,” said Deborah.As you can see, the seminars are comprehensive and meant to enhance the knowledge someone may already have about a particular subject. “We hope to stimulate the cognitive function of our residents in an atmosphere that requires them to listen, think, problem solve, and ask questions,” Ashley explained.“These seminars show the Jewish Home’s concern for our residents and allows us to share our own personal experiences,” said Robert Lehman, a resident at Eisenberg Village and currently serving as Resident Council President. “The fall risk reduction seminar offered good tips on measures we can all take to be safe.”One of the next seminars will focus on another resident-recommended topic of significant importance: cognitive impairment as we age and how we can lessen those effects. It’s sure to be thought provoking and stimulate a great deal of conversation!

Beginning at sundown on Wednesday, September 24th, the High Holidays offer a wonderful opportunity to celebrate a sweet New Year with the residents of the Jewish Home. From attending services and enjoying “Home”-cooked meals with our residents to sending wishes for the New Year to friends and family, the Home has many ways for you to be a part of our celebration.If you are wondering where to attend services, the Home is here for you! The 1,000 men and women who call the Los Angeles Jewish Home their home each year invite you to join them for High Holiday services. In these “Days of Awe,” there may be no more awesome experience than to be among people who have witnessed many passages of life and who bring a unique perspective to the celebration of the New Year.Community services and meals for the High Holidays will be held at the Eisenberg Village campus. Tickets are available and provide admittance to all High Holiday worship services and the Yom Kippur “Break-the-Fast” meal. Tickets for other holiday meals are also available. All tickets must be purchased in advance by Wednesday, September 17, 2014. View our High Holiday flyer for more information. To purchase tickets, please contact Allison Tepper at (818) 774-3386 or [email protected] to send your wishes for a sweet and healthy New Year to friends and family? The Home can help you with that as well! A beautiful card featuring Sounding the Shofar, a painting created by resident artist Louis Lampert, is available in packets of twelve for $18. To purchase, please call 818-774-3324 or click here to download an order form.At the Jewish Home’s Yizkor services on Saturday, October 4th, a Memorial Booklet honoring those who have passed away will be distributed. If you would like to include the names of your departed loved ones, please contact volunteer coordinator Stacy Orbach at (818) 757-4442 or [email protected]. There is no standard contribution required — the amount you give, large or small, is entirely at your discretion and is greatly appreciated. Submissions will be accepted until Wednesday, September 10th.If you’re planning your menu for festive holiday meals, let the Jewish Home help you! Visit our website at http://www.jha.org/resources/recipes.asp and check out our classic recipes from our residents, such as Helen Berlin’s Holiday Brisket. Begin your meal with Chef Akasha’s Matzah Ball Soup and end with delicious Holiday Honey Cake.On behalf of the Los Angeles Jewish Home and our residents, we wish you a healthy and happy New Year. L’Shana Tova!