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For their own health and safety, for approximately a year now, residents of the Los Angeles Jewish Home have not been able to venture far, or even welcome visits from family members, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, despite the required restrictions, activities staff and others have continued to work hard identifying safe ways to fill the days with lighthearted fun. As residents wait for the day they can all be together again, they have access to a broad range of activities to keep themselves engaged and entertained. "Helping our seniors stay active has been so critical throughout this past year," says Annette Weinberg, lifestyle and enrichment director for residential care, "so we've made sure to keep their calendars full. My goal is to have enough activities planned that, if they're so inclined, our residents can be occupied all day long." Annette has been working tirelessly to reach that goal, and the packed Jewish Home schedule of events is a testament to her success. For instance, every morning, residents can tune into the Home's in-house television channel for a therapeutic chair exercise class. Once they have warmed up with a workout, the pace of the day accelerates from there. One of Annette's most popular programs is the biweekly Nosh and Nibble, which incorporates costumes, music and food around a central theme. "Our most recent theme was 'Twist and Shout,'" she says. "Director of Volunteer Services Stacy Orbach, Lifestyle and Enrichment Assistant Sandy Schipper and I dressed up in 1950s attire —like poodle skirts and pink bomber jackets—and walked the hallways with a big boombox playing fun music of the 50's and giving out snacks. Of course, everyone is masked and physically distanced, but the idea is that residents can come to the doorways and enjoy a little levity. It's an incredibly uplifting event for us as well as for them." Phone-in activities also draw large numbers of residents. From Dial-a-Bingo to word games, to trivia contests, residents can participate in fun games and community building exercises from the safety of their own rooms. "One activity that always attracts a lot of our seniors is something I call ‘Today in History,' where I come up with 20 or 30 different things that happened on the same day but in different years, and we all discuss it," Annette says. "We also hear a great deal of positive response from ‘Hello Out There with Katie and Annette,' which is an informal, call-in support group for residents to share their feelings and know they are surrounded by people who care. My co-host for that is Katie Abelson, who is director of resident care services and a licensed social worker. We choose a new topic for each episode; our most recent one was, ‘Love is in the air. Do you feel it?'" This winter, the Home launched a journal writing class, helping residents find their inner author. "I'm really excited about it because it's something so different from the other activities we offer. It's an eight-week class, with a syllabus and a new topic every week," Annette says. The course allows for a broad diversity of creative expression. "Some of our residents are doing it because they want to track their diet, food or exercise; others are keeping dream journals or writing more of a straight diary. Whatever their motivation, it's super fun; I'm actually doing it, too!" Many residents look forward to movies being broadcast daily on the TVs in their rooms. They also eagerly anticipate Friday evenings, when they can tune into Shabbat services led by Skirball Director of Spiritual Life Rabbi Karen Bender and Eisenberg Village Rabbi Ronald Goldberg. "Residents enjoy the services' songs and prayers, exploring thought-provoking ideas with us," Rabbi Bender says. "One week, we might discuss the book of Exodus —in Hebrew that's ‘Shemot,' which means ‘names'—delving into why names matter; the next, we might engage residents in thinking about their favorite Jewish ritual or holiday." Rabbis Bender and Goldberg also lead residents in festive holiday celebrations, with activities that add depth of meaning to the daily schedule. For Tu B'shevat, also known as "the New Year of the Trees," Rabbi Bender planted a gorgeous Japanese maple in front of the Mark Taper Skilled Nursing Building at Grancell Village for residents to enjoy—and to help water and care for. At Eisenberg Village, Rabbi Goldberg planted a Blue Potato Bush tree in front of the Volunteer Office for residents to experience as well. For the upcoming holiday of Purim, the rabbis will air a special broadcast featuring a traditional megillah reading, and residents will receive hamantaschen, groggers and masks, delivered to their doors. "The personal delivery is a big part of what we do these days," Rabbi Bender says. "To offer human, one-on-one connections during these trying times is so important for our residents. Knowing we're here for them makes a really big difference in their outlook on life." With all of these activities, Annette says, there is something for every Jewish Home resident. Central to her success has been her strategic approach to planning. "We have an activities committee, and I'm always soliciting their feedback about whether something is working," she says. "So if I keep offering a program, it's because I know they enjoy it!" She also has other indications for making sure residents are having a good time. "I get lots of appreciative phone calls and notes from folks, which is wonderful," she says. "That tells me we're doing something right."

Short-term in-patient rehabilitation is often a critical factor in recovery after an illness, injury, medical procedure, or hospital stay. Conditions requiring this type of specialized care may include joint replacement rehab, orthopedic post-hospitalization care, stroke and neurological rehab, post-medical and post-surgical recovery, and adaptive equipment instruction and conditioning. For Fernando Carrillo, it was a stroke that eventually brought him to the Transitional Care Unit (TCU) at the Los Angeles Jewish Home. At 66, Fernando is an active man, working fulltime as a buyer in a downtown LA store, exercising at the gym regularly, and enjoying two mile walks and trips to Las Vegas with Lucia, his wife of 14 years. After spending 10 days in the hospital, he was brought to the Home for rehab. With the left side of his body completely effected by the stroke, Fernando spent the first two weeks in rehab in bed, unable to move. “I was also a little confused and had difficulty speaking, eating, and swallowing,” he recalls. His brain returned to full function quickly, and within 10 days he was able to eat and swallow. As he began physical therapy, Fernando’s first question was: How long is it going to take you to fix me? The answer from his inter-disciplinary team: That’s all up to you! “I move fast. I don’t like to sit around and do nothing,” says Fernando. “I was committed to working hard and doing everything I could to improve. And the daily encouragement and support I received from everyone was fantastic!” By the end of the first month, Fernando was able to lift his left leg. Two weeks later, he could lift his left arm. Now he can reach out with it. “The first day I could stand up and take a step, we all cried,” he shares emotionally. After 100 days in short-term rehab at the Jewish Home, Fernando was ready to return to his home and Lucia. “When I came here I couldn’t even move. Considering what I can do now, it’s hard to believe,” Fernando says as he stands and takes several steps. “I consider myself to be at 50% now, and my goal is to be at 90% in five months.” Before leaving TCU, Fernando was referred by his physician to receive in-home physical therapy, and he chose Jewish Home Care Services as his provider… “of course!” After that he will receive outpatient physical therapy as he continues working toward his goal. The rehab team receives the highest marks from Fernando. “This wonderful team has all my respect. I have never seen a group of people so devoted to what they do. If someone is in need of rehab care, they should come here!” Marina Balabanov, DPT and facility rehab director for the Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center (JEKMC) at the Home, offers some insight into what makes their team so successful. “Each rehab program is individually designed by a supervising physical therapist, taking into consideration the patient’s medical history, current medical problem, and prior and current functional status,” she explains. “These programs are reviewed weekly with consideration of new ideas and recommendations from team members. We have state-of-the-art rehab equipment that helps us implement our programs, provide very high quality care and services, and achieve patient-oriented goals.” The members of Fernando’s rehab team worked diligently to help him return to his home and his life. It was truly a group effort, and the bonds formed are strong, with each person feeling invested in his improvement. “It’s a testament to Mr. Carrillo’s 100% commitment and the dedication of our rehab staff to see such incredible improvement,” says Ilana Grossman, executive director of JEKMC. At the Jewish Home, the approach to recovery and wellness combines onsite medical care, prescribed therapies, personal coaching and counseling, and excellent nutrition. We direct all efforts toward promoting healing, building confidence, and restoring independence. For more information, please call Connections to Care, our toll-free hotline, at (855) 227-3745 or visit our website at www.lajh.org.

While the holiday season is a festive time, it can also bring sadness for those that may be alone or missing loved ones. For many, this sadness is situational, brought about by the holidays. For others, it could be much more. Michael Fresé, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist specializing in geropsychology. He recently sat down with e-Connections to talk about the signs and symptoms of depression among seniors. Do you feel down and depressed, more days than not? Have you lost interest and pleasure in activities you once enjoyed? Are you experiencing difficulty with your appetite, energy level, sleeping? Have you been feeling helpless, hopeless, or very tired? If you can answer yes to some of those questions, you might be depressed. As we age, we often experience the many changes associated with later life – death of loved ones, worsening medical issues, retirement – and depression can creep in like a thief in the night. It can happen when we least expect it and we may not even notice it. Often times, it is our family members and friends who recognize the change in our mood. Depression, however, doesn’t only affect mood - it can impact our appetite, concentration, energy level, memory, physical health, and sleep. As the symptoms of depression vary from person to person, there are several red flags to be aware of: SadnessSleep disturbances (insomnia, hypersomnia)FatigueFeelings of worthlessness, self-loathing, worry about being a burdenLosing interest or pleasure in activities that you once enjoyed and looked forward toIsolation and social withdrawal (not returning phone calls, reluctance to have visitors)Loss of appetite and/or weight lossFixation on death, suicidal thoughts or attempts When asked, many depressed older adults deny feeling sad. Physical complaints such as increased arthritic pain, gastrointestinal distress, or more pronounced back pain are often the symptoms of depression. If you suspect an older adult might be depressed yet they deny feeling sad or depressed, ask yourself if you have noticed any of the following symptoms: Anxiety and worriesDifficulty concentratingFeelings of helplessness and hopelessnessIrritabilityLack of motivation and energyLoss of interest in socializing and participating in activities/hobbiesMemory difficultiesNeglecting personal care (forgetting medications, neglecting personal hygiene, skipping meals)Slowed movement and speechUnexplained aches and pains While depression is a common problem in older adults, it is often overlooked or not taken seriously. People might believe that they have good reason for feeling blue, or that being depressed is part of growing old. Social isolation, which can lead to depression, may result in few social contacts who would notice an individual’s distress. Often times, people don’t realize the relationship between physical pain and emotional pain. Further, people are often reluctant to talk about their feelings or ask for help. There are many causes of depression in older adults, including (but not limited to): fears, health issues, isolation/loneliness, loss of identity/reduced sense of purpose, and recent bereavements. Several medical conditions can cause depression in older adults also, such as cancer, COPD, diabetes, lupus, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, thyroid disorders, and vitamin B12 deficiency. If you or a loved one are depressed, the best thing to do is to address it- whether through exercise, social contact with others, or seeking help from a psychologist. The more active you are – mentally, physically, and socially- the better you will feel!

Here at the Jewish Home, the safety and health of our community remains one of our greatest priorities. Below is guidance we received from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on what you can do to safeguard your home against Novel Coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19. Stay informed about the local COVID-19 situation. Get up-to-date information about local COVID-19 activity.Stay home if you are sick. Stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms. If a member of your household is sick, stay home from work and school to avoid spreading COVID-19 to others. If your children are in the care of others, urge caregivers to watch for COVID-19 symptoms.Continue practicing everyday preventive actions. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains 60% alcohol. Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily using a regular household detergent and water.Prepare a separate room and bathroom for sick household members (if possible). Avoid sharing personal items like food and drinks. Provide your sick household member with clean disposable facemasks to wear at home, if available, to help prevent spreading COVID-19 to others. Clean the sick room and bathroom, as needed, to avoid unnecessary contact with the sick person.If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent and water prior to disinfection. For disinfection, a list of products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims, maintained by the Center for Biocide Chemistries, is available here and here. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.Always read warning and ingredient labels on cleaning and disinfecting products and remember … NEVER MIX CLEANING PRODUCTS!Stay in touch with others by phone or email. If you live alone and become sick during a COVID-19 outbreak, you may need help. If you have a chronic medical condition and live alone, ask family, friends, and health care providers to check on you during an outbreak. Stay in touch with family and friends with chronic medical conditions.Take care of the emotional health of your household members. Outbreaks can be stressful for adults and children. Children respond differently to stressful situations than adults. Talk with your children about the outbreak, try to stay calm, and reassure them that they are safe.

On July 23, the Los Angeles Jewish Home's Annenberg School of Nursing (ASN) hosted a very special and unique "drive-thru" commencement ceremony. The event—always joyful—held particular resonance this year, as 23 new vocational nurses, ASN's largest class ever, celebrated the determination and drive that kept them going even in the midst of the worst global pandemic in a century. Social distancing and safety protocols made a more typical ceremony impossible but that did not stop the celebration. ASN developed a drive-thru version of the "procession" enabling the graduates' family members and close friends to be present for the occasion. Also on hand were Jewish Home CEO-President Molly Forrest, ASN Board President Shelly Steier, Director of ASN Amandeep Kaur and David Cooper, an instructor in the program. As class president and valedictorian of the 2019 class, Kimberly Daley was one of the beneficiaries of ASN's cutting-edge curriculum. The remarks she prepared for the ceremony captured the sentiment shared by her fellow graduates. "I was given so many opportunities this past year thanks to being a student at ASN," she said. "The Jewish Home nurses, certified nursing assistants and other employees all taught me more than I could have learned anywhere else." In addition to earning the title of valedictorian, Daley also distinguished herself as receiving the highest score on the rigorous ATI exam, which assesses a student's preparedness in entering health science fields. Other students receiving special honors included Denise McDonald, who graduated magna cum laude, Kyra Azalbarian, who graduated cum laude and Juan Garcia, who received the Florence Nightingale Award. After handing the graduates their pins and diplomas, Kaur, Cooper, Steier and Forrest bumped elbows with the graduates as a congratulatory gesture—a coronavirus-friendly alternative to handshaking. For Forrest, participating in the students' remarkable milestone was a highlight of the summer. "The Jewish Home has long prided itself on its commitment to career advancement for its employees by promoting education through our training and educational programs," she commented. "The Annenberg School of Nursing also provides a career ladder for those from the public looking to pursue and further their nursing opportunities, whether here at the Jewish Home or elsewhere. We are so proud of the school's leadership and the students' accomplishments, especially during these very unusual circumstances." Since ASN's inception, approximately 50 percent of all graduates have gone on to work for the Jewish Home. It is a result, according to Kaur, ASN's director, of the respect students develop for the Home during their course of study. "Our students build bonds of trust with the Home that last well beyond graduation," she says. "It's wonderful that so many of them come to work here after completing their degrees; it reinforces the feeling that, at the Home, we are all part of one extended family."

As the pandemic took hold and impacted especially vulnerable populations across Los Angeles, one of the city's leading senior health and wellness facilities continued to be a stable source of support for the men and women in its care: the Brandman Centers for Senior Care (BCSC), a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Located on the Los Angeles Jewish Home's Grancell Village campus in Reseda, BCSC is a vital resource for nursing home-eligible seniors who are still able to live safely in their own homes, but may require special services. They turn to BCSC for a myriad of services including medical and psychological care, medical transportation, rehabilitation, social services, adult day activities, nutritional counseling, preventive health support, and more. During COVID-19, BCSC continued providing those services, playing an essential role in helping seniors meet their most critical needs. "It's been a challenging time for our seniors, and they have depended on us for assistance," says Alicxa Manchan, BCSC's director of marketing. "The day center has remained open throughout the pandemic, but in a limited capacity, providing a safe place for participants at risk or those who's at-home caretakers were essential workers. We also saw participants in our clinic and therapy department, and kept in close contact with the seniors who were no longer coming to the day center but still relied on our care." BCSC serves roughly 250 seniors on an ongoing basis; they have a median age of 80. Over the past year, the center continued enrolling new participants, working tirelessly to ensure they were staying healthy and connected to their community. "For our seniors who were at home, we had to think out of the box about how to run our programs remotely, so we got creative, sending them all sorts of in-home activities and exercises to make sure they were staying mentally engaged," Alicxa says. Some participants who are able to navigate technology were provided with devices equipped with FaceTime or Zoom that allowed them to access activities and complete their medical appointments using telehealth. BCSC also ensured seniors were well nourished and that they remained current with their prescription medications by sending participants meals to their homes every day and arranging for in-home medicine delivery. Additionally, BCSC made certain that participants were able to receive vaccinations. "We had a drive-thru flu vaccine event in the fall, where seniors could be driven up, receive their shots, and head back home," Alicxa says. "And as soon as COVID-19 vaccines became available at the Jewish Home, we called participants to get them scheduled. We were so pleased to have over 90 percent participation." Mobility can be difficult for BCSC participants, Alicxa notes, and center staff are invaluable in helping them get around. "For those who needed it, we provided transportation to all appointments at the center in order to make things as easy and seamless as possible," she says. Focus on service is a key component of BCSC's appeal. "The major reason people enroll in our program is access to care," Alicxa says. "Our participants tell us in a normal Medicare Advantage plan they get maybe five or 10 minutes with their doctor. Our physicians here will often spend up to an hour with a patient. BCSC is also a one-stop shop—we have physical therapy on one side, our wellness clinic on the other, and in the middle is our center where we are running fun activities and serving meals. The other thing our participants love is the social aspect: engaging in activities, meeting peers, making friends. It's a wonderful way to spend their day." As the pandemic shows the first signs of waning, all are eagerly looking ahead to a time when larger numbers of participants can once again gather at BCSC. "We're already developing schedules and devising ways to bring people onsite for our regular programming while maintaining social distancing," she says. "We can't wait to have them all back!"

For frontline healthcare workers, wearing a protective gown and masks is vital to preventing the spread of COVID-19. A few weeks ago, staff at the Los Angeles Jewish Home began to realize that there was a shortage of disposable gowns. And, prices were skyrocketing. "We cannot pay sixteen, eighteen dollars for a disposable gown that before COVID cost 34 cents each," Molly Forrest, the Home's CEO and president recently explained to Forbes. Kathleen Glass, executive director of the Home's Eisenberg Village campus, came up with a solution. Inspired by her husband's suggestion, Glass and her colleagues began sewing long sleeves onto traditional hospital gowns. In one day, they were able to sew 40 gowns in the Arts and Crafts room at Eisenberg Village. Now we're asking our friends and community members to join our "Helping Hands" campaign to create long-sleeve gowns. In addition, we still have a need for face masks. To help with gowns, please contact our Volunteer Services Director Stacy Orbach at 818-774-3116, or [email protected]. Orbach will coordinate the gown distribution, as the gowns will need to be picked up from her by volunteers who are sewing on sleeves. Masks can be delivered to Jeff Gall, Los Angeles Jewish Home, 7150 Tampa Ave., Reseda, CA 91335. How to Sew Sleeves onto a Gown Watch this YouTube video, with Glass narrating the instructions. And here are the step-by-step instructions: Assemble Sleeves First: Align the long and short ends of the sleeve piece and pin into place.Sew long edge together to create a sleeve, inside out.Create a casing (tunnel) for the elastic around the wrist end by folding the material around the wrist 1/4 inch, fold again to create an approximately 1/2 inch channel for the elastic, pin in place.Sew along the top edge of the folded channel. Leave a 1/4 inch opening to insert the elastic band.Insert the elastic band, use a safety pin or other implement to push into the channelSew the ends of the elastic band together and sew the 1/4 opening closed.Now that the sleeve is put together, the last step is to sew the upper arm portion onto the opening of the gown short sleeve end.Turn sleeve right side outTurn gown inside outInsert sewn sleeve inside of inside out gown sleeve until the edges to connect align-pin togetherSew edges togetherPull sleeve right side out and the job is done! Waist Tie Extensions Align the long, thin piece of material with the already existing gown ties.Sew along the edges to create a gown tie extension. (2 waist tie extensions per gown) Tip: Assembling/sewing the sleeves all at once may be helpful, then moving on to sewing them onto the short sleeves of the gown. If you need guidance or trouble shooting, please call Sandra Hess at 619-972-8188.

"We have never seen anything like this, and I'm worried, I am very concerned and worried about our residents and their families," states Dr. Noah Marco in a recent interview with Spectrum News. As the concerns about the Coronavirus and its subsequent illness named COVID-19 continue to surface, news agencies have been reaching out to Dr. Marco and the Los Angeles Jewish Home to learn more about the important procedures the Home has taken to protect its patients and residents. Catalina Villegas of Spectrum News visited the Home and filmed this interview with Dr. Marco, highlighting the steps the Home has implemented. Here are just a few featured in the piece: Daily meetings with the leadership team, laying out plans and discussing everything from procedures with vendors to testing.Cancelling resident interaction with the communityIncreasing safety guidelines and protocols.Boosting communication with families, and visitors through voicemails, their website and fliersVisitors, staff, and vendors are being asked to go through a screening process before entering the facility, detailing their recent medical history, including travel and symptomsThey're also taking temperatures and ensuring everyone is screened To watch the interview or read a transcript, visit the Spectrum News site at https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/health/2020/03/12/socal-nursing-homes-increasing-safety-efforts-amid-coronavirus-concerns#. Spectrum is providing free access to its content on the Coronavirus for thirty days.

This spring, the Jewish Home was delighted to promote one of our own: Ilene Silberman, vice president of finance, has been elevated to the Home’s chief financial officer. In her new role, Ilene continues to showcase her talent and skills as a dedicated advocate on behalf of the organization’s sound fiscal health – maintaining our ability to serve thousands of Southern California seniors every year. Ilene is a Certified Public Accountant and has over 25 years of combined experience in the accounting and finance fields. Before coming to the Home, she was controller for the Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plans (MPI), an agency that helps to administer defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans and provide health benefits to over 120,000 active and retired participants and their families. Ilene’s distinguished employment history also includes high-level positions in the commercial finance field with Wells Fargo Capital Finance, PNC Business Capital and Fleet Capital Corporation. Ilene first came to the Home in 2015, but she is no stranger to the nonprofit community. A strong advocate for economic empowerment, she is a former volunteer tax preparer for elderly and low-income individuals. Ilene also served as an Executive Board Member and Vice President-Treasurer of the Emelita Street Elementary PTA, working to advance educational opportunities for young, school-aged children. Ilene earned her BS in Business Administration – Accounting from California State University, Northridge, where she was on the dean’s list and served as an officer of the Accounting Association. She is married and has two children – a son and a daughter – and lives in Tarzana.

In the latest edition of Jewish Home Connections, the Home’s Chief Medical Officer Noah Marco shares how Los Angeles Jewish Home is implementing technological innovations to benefit our residents. This issue also includes an interview with Richard Ziman, the chair of the Jewish Home Foundation. Please enjoy reading more about the Jewish Home! Click Here to Read