Keiro Launches New Institute
By JOYCE TSE
Rafu Staff Writer
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006

Institute for Healthy Aging to reach out to JA elderly by promoting education and building social networks.

Keiro Senior HealthCare nursing managers display certificates they received upon
completing training in providing quality care for residents through the new Institute for
Healthy Aging at Keiro.

After more than 45 years of service to the senior community, the nation’s largest Japanese American health care provider announced on Nov. 17, the launch of the Institute for Healthy Aging at Keiro.

Keiro Senior HealthCare, with its four residential facilities—Keiro Nursing Home, South Bay Keiro Nursing Home, Keiro Intermediate Care Facility and Keiro Retirement Home—has provided care for more than 55,000 seniors since its inception.

And yet, U.S. Census statistics show that only about five percent of the nation’s population aged 65 and older reside in nursing homes. 

“Most people prefer to live at home in their own community, so there’s information or resources we can provide them with in order for them to live safely,” said Dianne Kujubu Belli, executive director of the Institute.

Caregivers of the elderly, who are often spouses or adult children, are also included in the focus of the Institute. 

“There have been studies that show caregivers really can suffer a lot physically, mentally and emotionally,” Belli said, citing examples such as bathing someone who is unable to move on their own or dealing with the pain of seeing a loved one afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

According to Belli, the Institute will promote healthy aging through education, research, the building of social networks and the development of innovative care models, while keeping Japanese American culture in mind.

Seniors and caregivers living in the Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties are the main targets, as are local Japanese American baby boomers.

While seminars and education classes are occasionally held at Keiro facilities, the Institute’s services are generally more mobile. 

“We think that’s the best way,” said Belli, “to let people reach out.”

If a local group decides they are interested in bringing these educational courses to their neighborhood, they need to contact Belli and arrange for a location (such as a church or community center) and time that is convenient.

To date, community education sessions and caregiver conferences hosted by the Institute have been free of charge. But in 2007, classes geared towards improving mental functioning, Memory Kai (based on the UCLA Center on Aging’s Memory Enhancement Program), will be offered for $50 for a five-week-course that meets two hours each week.

In addition to involvement with community groups, the Institute is currently involved in its first financially supported study, “Help Seeking Behavior Differences Between Nikkei and White Americans Who Have a Family Member Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,” which is being conducted by Kimberly Hiroto at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. It is studies like this one, along with the Institute’s willingness to provide education outside of Keiro facilities, that makes it so aging members of the Japanese American community have the tools to maintain their health—even if they aren’t residents of a nursing home.

“Information is number one,” Belli said. “If people are equipped they can have a better life, better health and they can cope with stress and difficulties.”  

To reach Belli, call (310) 989-8629 or e-mail dbelli@keiro.org.