Los Angeles Jewish Health provides comprehensive services and resources that address every aspect of aging.  (photo courtesy of Los Angeles Jewish Health )

Senior citizens comprise one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. population, with the number of older Americans projected to increase to 22% by 2040. People are living longer and more productive lives due to advances in medical care and innovative programs that keep older adults healthy and active. 

Los Angeles Jewish Health is rising to meet the needs generated by senior population growth, which is changing the dynamics of the health care industry.  

“It’s increasing dramatically. And in fact, there’s a term for it called the ‘silver tsunami,’” LAJH president and CEO Dale Surowitz said. “It’s based upon the fact that the number of people who are ages 65 and older is increasing rapidly. The fastest growing part of our population in the United States right now is people 85 years of age and older, which is a lot of the people we care for. In Los Angeles alone, studies show that from 2020 to 2040, the number of people that are 65 and older will grow by 93%. And that is kind of a microcosm of what is happening throughout the country. People are aging and living longer, and because of that, there’s a variety of different issues that are going to develop.” 

Los Angeles Jewish Health employs a multi-faceted approach for senior health. From residential assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care for those requiring comprehensive services, to independent living and social activities for active seniors, Los Angeles Jewish Health provides complete care tailored to specific individuals.  

Los Angeles Jewish Health began as the Los Angeles Jewish Home, founded in 1912 by a small group of Jewish men who sheltered homeless individuals during Passover. Among the group was grocer Simon Lewis, who purchased a site in Boyle Heights in 1916 and created what became the organization’s first permanent home. As demographics changed and segments of Los Angeles’ Jewish population moved to other parts of the city, a new facility was opened in the San Fernando Valley. Periods of expansion followed over the years, and additional residential care facilities opened including the Grancell Village campus and Eisenberg Village Campus in Reseda. Today, more than 1,000 people live at the senior campuses in the Valley and more than 3,000 people in the community receive care in Los Angeles Jewish Health’s programs.  

“It evolved into really looking at things from the perspective of people who don’t have the physical, mental or financial capabilities to care for themselves as they age, having a place for them to be, to give them that peace of mind and security. That is a hallmark of who we are today,” Surowitz said. “And, looking at developing programs and services that will allow people who want to remain independent as long as they can and reside in the community to do so. But also if they need a place to be, we need to make sure that we have those kinds of housing and services available to them so they have the ability to age in place on our campuses. Whether they need independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, a variety of other different programs and services, they can be here, and they can be safe, healthy, well and have the quality of life they deserve.”  

Among the challenges faced by the aging population is Alzheimer’s and dementia, which LAJH also treats with a compassionate comprehensive approach tailored to each senior’s individual needs. The goal is to boost intellectual acuity and keep seniors mentally sharp. 

“We feel it’s our responsibility to step up and address that need, and one of the ways that we are doing that is expanding our behavioral health services so people who do have Alzheimer’s and dementia, we have places for them where we can treat them and be here when they are in acute distress,” Surowitz said. “Many of them want to continue to reside in the community, but the need for acute behavioral services is pronounced in senior care. There’s a dearth of those services. So we’re looking at expanding that both in terms of in-residence services from acute units and expanding our services on site, but also developing outpatient services that will touch more people who reside in the community, because that’s an issue for seniors.”  

Surowitz also cited the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, offered through the Brandman Centers for Senior Care in Reseda in the San Fernando Valley and near Beverly Hills at 9800 W. Pico Blvd. PACE enables seniors to receive comprehensive care and in-home support, and visit a clinic for check-ups, primary care, medication, preventative care, nutritional counseling, meals, dentistry and physical therapy. PACE also keeps seniors active and involved.  

“We bring them into a central location so they have adult day health care where they get socialization,” Surowitz added. “There’s a variety of different programs and services. We have physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners onsite, social workers and dietitians, as well as physical, occupational and speech therapy. Through all of the services, we coordinate the care of individuals to keep them safe and well. And our goal is as much as possible to help them remain independent as long as possible.”  

Surowitz also highlighted Los Angeles Jewish Health’s partnership with the Annenberg School of Nursing, training certified nurse assistants, licensed vocational nurses and home health aides. The nonprofit is focusing on expanding partnerships providing more services and expanding to new areas to continue meeting the needs of the burgeoning senior population.  

“Everything we do is focused on seniors,” Surowitz said. “Our goal is to help seniors – to give them the quality of life they deserve as they age.”