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The Jewish Home’s innovative Connections to Care (C2C) program is an exciting approach to meeting the growing needs of seniors in our community and beyond. C2C is a simple, fast, and easy way for seniors and their loved ones to access all of the programs and services offered by the Los Angeles Jewish Home. A call to the C2C toll-free hotline at (855) 227-3745 will customize a care plan just for you. With C2C, the top priority is asking, “How can we help?” One toll-free phone call connects seniors directly to Jewish Home expert staff members. They begin by listening, and then open the door to the Home’s full continuum of in-your-home, community health, and residential programs. C2C also enables the Home to serve as a resource for calls from outside our service area, providing assistance through resources and referrals to help address individual situations. In our March issue of Jewish Home e-Connections, we highlighted three of the Home’s many programs - Brandman Centers for Senior Care, a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Jewish Home Care Services, and Care Transitions. In this issue, we will take a look at the Jewish Home Center for Palliative Medicine, Skirball Hospice, and geriatric care, using sample questions we have received. “My wife has chronic pain due to MS. How can I help?” —By calling Connections to Care you can learn about compassionate palliative care. The Jewish Home Center for Palliative Medicine offers comprehensive pain and symptom management for adults with serious, chronic, or life-limiting illness. The program addresses patients’ medical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs. Through Connections to Care, an individualized care plan will address your needs. “My father just received a terminal diagnosis of less than six months to live. What help can you provide?” —Skirball Hospice, a program of the Jewish Home, provides compassionate end-of-life care for adults with a life-limiting illness in the Greater Los Angeles area. Skirball Hospice treats patients in their home or in a care facility as needed, including nights and weekends. At no-cost through Medicare or Medi-Cal, hospice care includes: Pain managementMedical equipmentSuppliesEmotional and spiritual supportPersonal care “My best friend could really benefit from a geriatric specialist. How can I help her find one?” —One call to Connections to Care at (855) 227-3745 will connect you and your friend with primary and specialty medical care. In the May issue of Jewish Home e-Connections, we will focus on another important service offered by the Jewish Home through Connections to Care – short-term rehabilitative care. For more information about Connections to Care, please contact us at (855) 227-3745 or visit our website at www.lajh.org.

Each year, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recognizes projects they categorize as "Design for Aging Knowledge Community." This year, the Jewish Home's Brandman Centers for Senior Care (BCSC), a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), was honored with the Merit Award for Small Projects by the prestigious group.Opened in 2013, BCSC was built out of renovated space on the Grancell Village campus of the Jewish Home. Designed by GMPA Architects, Inc., BCSC was designed with the intention of having a unique identity, while remaining integrated with the Home's existing style. Its contemporary design reflects the fact it serves as the first PACE in the Jewish Home's comprehensive senior healthcare system.BCSC/PACE provides the community's seniors with the comprehensive care they need to continue living safely in their homes. Services include primary medical care, specialty services for vision, dental, hearing, and foot care, laboratory and diagnostic services, medical supplies and equipment, nursing and preventative healthcare, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, a state-of-the-art rehabilitation therapy room, nutritional counseling, a full service pharmacy, recreational activities, reliable transportation, and 24-hour emergency and urgent care.Because BCSC offers such a large array of medical and social services to participants, one of the biggest challenge the designers faced was to find a way to create a space that would meet the complex requirements of the program. The designers managed to take advantage of the limited space they had to work with and created a beautiful, welcoming environment where seniors can come from their homes and benefit from the various health and social services made available to them at the Brandman Center.Susie Fishenfeld, executive director of the Brandman Centers for Senior Care, said, "In the conceptualization of the Brandman Center, the designers wanted to create a space that breathes comfort and peace. We are thrilled with the idea that BCSC can be a source of admiration for the design community as well as other senior care centers."People who are 55 or older, in need of nursing home level of care, are able to safely live in the community, and are living in the BCSC service area are eligible to become participants. To schedule a first meeting with the Brandman Centers for Senior Care, call 818.774.8444, toll free at 855.774.8444 or via TTY at 818.774.3194 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

In order to thank the local firefighters for all of the incredible work they do, the seniors of the Jewish Home invited the brave men from Tarzana Fire Station 93 to the Home for a delicious lunch.On Wednesday, March 18th, Eisenberg Village residents could be found lining up along the campus' many walkways. Droves of seniors came out to welcome the parade of esteemed men in uniform.As soon as the visitors took their seats at the table of honor, staff served the gentlemen ice cold bottles of non-alcoholic beer, bowls of delectable chili, buttery slices of cornbread, and scrumptious red velvet cupcakes.While the gentlemen enjoyed the delicious meal, residents and staff members took turns with the microphone, recited poems of gratitude and shared memories of times when firefighters made an impact on their lives in the past. In closing, the firefighters thanked the seniors for a wonderful time, said their goodbyes, and returned to another day of demanding work.Susan Leitch, community manager at the Goldenberg∙Ziman Special Care Center and Factor Nursing Building was integral in facilitating this lovely luncheon. “It was a humbling experience for both the Home’s seniors and the firefighters,” says Susan. “I’m glad we were all able to come together to host today’s lunch and recognize this incredible team for everything they do.”On behalf of the Jewish Home, thank you to all the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to serving our community each and every day.

In 1965, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) chose March as the month to annually recognize the profession of social work. This year marks the 60th anniversary of NASW and focuses on how social work paves the way for change.“I’d like to recognize all of our Jewish Home social workers who dedicate their lives to supporting others,” said Devorah Small-Teyer, MSW, director of social services in the Home’s Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center (JEKMC). “They provide assistance to residents and families with the intention of improving their quality of life. Our social workers assess issues related to a patient’s emotional, psychological, or physical needs and help other healthcare professionals understand these needs. Social workers make a positive difference in many lives every day.”On behalf of the Los Angeles Jewish Home, thank you to social workers everywhere for your commitment to the welfare of others.

Prior to 1816, it was common practice for doctors to place their ears to the chests of patients to detect the workings of hearts, lungs, and other organs. That year, French physician Dr. Rene Laennec, who was uncomfortable placing his ear against the chest of a young female patient, invented the first stethoscope. Laennec's stethoscope was around 12 inches long, but over time, the instrument's tubing grew in length. In the 1830's the flexible monaural stethoscope was introduced. It was around 16 inches long. Then in 1852, George Camman introduced the first binaural (for two ears) stethoscope, which was around 20 inches. Today's stethoscopes are up to 30 inches long. Born of one physician's modesty, the most widely-used medical instrument has become symbolic of the increasing distance between patients and their doctors.In the 20th century, many other tools were created to help clinicians assess the workings of their patients' internal organs without having to be near them — cardiac rhythm monitors, echocardiograms, CT, and MRI machines, to name a few. Now, in the 21st century, doctors and nurses routinely obtain data on their patients via the Internet, and can do so from virtually anywhere in the world.The words medical professionals use also reflect the diminishing connection between patients and their caregivers. The comedian George Carlin made this issue the focus of a popular routine. He noted that, in WWI, we used the words "Shell Shock" to describe traumatic reaction to the experience of battle. In WWII, the condition came to be called "Combat Fatigue." In the Korean Conflict, it was known as "Operational Exhaustion." Most recently, as a result of the war in Vietnam, the same phenomenon is called "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder." Each of the phrases described the same condition. With time, however, they grew longer and more clinical, eventually becoming utterly devoid of emotional content. The increase in syllables had the effect of insulating caregivers and other civilians from the unpleasant reality of our soliders' suffering, but the result has been to put more distance between clinicians and the people who need their help.The gap between patients' expectations and the care they receive is also growing, as is the difference between the ideals of health care professionals and the reality of day-to-day practice.One remedy for the disturbing trend we've identified is for clinicians and their patients to take every opportunity in their interactions to close the space that's grown between them.We can all reduce that space — physically, verbally and figuratively. Figuratively speaking, we can bring our ears closer to each other's chests so that we may hear each other's "hearts." Doctors can do that by taking the time to listen to patients' concerns and personal stories, any one of which may contribute significantly to their current condition. Listening to patients and their families can help guide clinicians to more successful decisions and long-term outcomes. Therefore, it is important for patients and their families to share their stories and what is important to them with their doctors and nurses.Sometimes the origin of a word or a literal translation can lead us to surprising insights and metaphorical wisdom. The word stethoscope comes from the Greek "stethos" or breast, and "scope," to look at or see, which taken together can be interpreted as, "I see your heart." This simple phrase is the core of all successful medicine and a wonderful prescription for wise care amid the rapidly evolving world of medical science and caregiving.In the months ahead, I look forward to sharing some of the remarkable stories I've heard from the community that is the Los Angeles Jewish Home. In doing so, I hope to make it easier for you to see the hearts of the dedicated professionals who have been entrusted with the care of a remarkable group of people who are the residents of the Home.Noah Marco, M.D.CMOLos Angeles Jewish Home

On Monday, January 12th, Jewish Home residents Evelyn Selbert, Beatrice Hoffman, Jan Crane, Grace Peshkin, and Ida Garber assembled in the Eisenberg Village Boardroom to be part of a brand new activity — Flower Arranging.Equipped with wire cutters, scissors, vases, red and white silk roses, and an assortment of artificial grass and sprigs, the five women had everything they needed to start their project.As the group grew quiet and began to focus on the task at hand, activities director Caryl Geiger explained, "We have enough supplies to create 72 arrangements — one centerpiece for each table in the dining room. So be sure to make each and every bouquet as beautiful as possible." And with that, the room began to buzz as the women grew excited at the thought of their artistry being exhibited in such a public place.Energized by the collaborative environment, the project was successfully completed within the hour. The beginner florists then gathered the collection of completed arrangements and took a moment to admire their handiwork. Beatrice Hoffman commented, "We're all novices here. None of us have taken any lessons on how to arrange flowers. To see completed arrangements all together is simply gorgeous. What a wonderful experience."In reflection of the activity, Caryl commented, "By displaying the hand-arranged floral centerpieces in the dining room, we are able to enhance our seniors' dining experience while showcasing the excellent work done by our new florists."The program was an incredible success and the group of budding florists are looking forward to meeting again in a few months to create new arrangements for the spring season."You know what's funny?" Evelyn asked. "I've never arranged a bouquet in my life. I don't even consider myself a flower person." To which Caryl replied, "But now you are, darling!"

MNO Update - Douglas Tucker, Amanda Powell, and Ashley Teal met with Assembly member Matt Dababneh on December 18th to discuss the Jewish Home’s MNO project. Matt agreed to be the champion for a bill to raise the reimbursement for residents in Assisted Living, and to make sure that it continues to go up with the cost of living. We are currently working with him to draft the legislation.

If you're interested in giving aid to Medically Needy beneficiaries, we suggest doing one of the following:Write and mail a personal letter to your California RepresentativeIf you don’t know who your representative is, visit this website: https://www.opencongress.org/p...Spread the word to your friends and family members about our cause and get them involvedSend The Home a letter of support from yourself or your business that we can pass onto our elected officials on your behalfMail your letter of support:Attn: Amanda Powell, Activities Team Leader18855 Victory Blvd.Reseda, CA, 91335 Participate in The Home’s activities to support our cause - see our blog for calendar details and dates on our website.

There are approximately 75 residents in the Los Angeles Jewish Home’s assisted living that qualify for the welfare (Medi-Cal) Medically Needy Only (MNO) program. There are close to 12000 individuals across the state that qualify, and that would greatly benefit if this program is expanded. The MNO program recipients are provided just $20/month as a personal spending allowance. This $20 must cover over the counter drugs, clothing, shampoo and a variety of personal items such as hearing aid batteries and denture repairs. Twenty dollars is insufficient to cover these basic necessities. This amount does not even begin to address the various drug store sundries essential to keeping up one’s health. The dignity of our MNO recipient population is not being preserved by only providing $20 as a monthly stipend for their needs. Join the Jewish Home’s efforts, and spread the word about our initiative to help our residents get what they need.

Our residents and staff are working together to get the word out to the friends and family of the Home by writing letters to our local politicians. Our assisted living residents told their personal stories to help our representatives to understand the gravity of their financial situations. Without this increase in funding to our MNO recipients, they have only $20 to purchase the items they need, such as toothpaste, socks, pay for their phone service, and more.