In all the facilities throughout Keiro’s continuum of care, residents may choose to participate in a variety of stimulating activities designed to accommodate a range of interests and support a lifetime of learning. These programs help promote healthy “genki living” for our residents and are made possible only through the generous contributions of donors and volunteers.

Current activities featured at Keiro facilities:

Keiro Nursing Home

Keiro Intermediate Care Facility

SOCIABLE SISTERS

Once, two sisters were always together in the day time and only two rooms away from each other at night. Then one day, older sister Kiyoko Kokuga transitioned to Keiro Nursing Home while Yukiko Hayashi remained at Keiro Intermediate Care Facility. Now, volunteers and staff members from both facilities take the sisters to visit each other. Recently, Keiro Nursing Home brought Mrs. Kokuga, who uses a wheelchair, to the Los Angeles (Boyle Heights) Campus for the coffee shop activity provided by Kasa No Kai. They sat together and drank coffee, laughing and talking to each other as if they had never parted. “It’s so good to see her here,” says Mrs. Hayashi, who appreciates these reunion moments made possible by dedicated people throughout Keiro’s continuum of care.

LIVE IN CONCERT

Four times a month, Keiro Senior HealthCare partners with Respect and Understanding, Inc., a nonprofit organization specializing in bringing art and education to community senior care homes, to bring interactive shows to Keiro Nursing Home, Keiro Intermediate Care Facility, and Keiro Retirement Home. On February 2, the residents at Keiro Intermediate Care Facility had an opportunity not only to listen to music with others, but also to play along with jazz musicians Paul Krueger and Andrew Duncan. With percussion and bells, the residents created the back beats with Paul on the keyboard and Andrew on the trumpet. “We want to bring enlightenment to their day and allow them to enjoy some music from their past,” said Andrew, noting that the performance helped bring back good memories. It also helped create a pleasant atmosphere as the residents made music together.

South Bay Keiro Nursing Home

Keiro Retirement Home

AGE IS NOTHING BUT A NUMBER

Every week, a few residents at South Bay Keiro Nursing Home gather outside with activities manager Shizuka Sasaki to socialize and chat about anything that comes to mind. On this particular day, resident Tsuneko Yamauchi asks fellow resident Kimi Kawasaki about her age. Upon hearing her answer, Mrs. Yamauchi looks shocked. “You look like you’re 50-something!” exclaims Mrs. Yamauchi, 87, to 91-year-old Mrs. Kawasaki. As they both laugh, the other residents reveal their age to each other. Resident Hiro Sato is also 91-years-old. “I’m 99 right now,” says Mrs. McCarter, prompting immediate awe and applause. “I’ll be 100 in July!”

TO EACH HIS OWN

Although Keiro Retirement Home residents see each other every day, activities like Social Hour give them an opportunity to socialize beyond the dinner table. “Everybody is a different age and has different opinions,” said 90-year-old Fumi Hattori. “We hardly ever get together like this and talk freely about whatever comes up.” With Valentine’s Day nearing, the topic of conversation during a recent Social Hour ventured toward the history and ideas behind this love-filled day. While some residents were born in the States, others were born in Japan, where Valentine’s Day customs are very different. According to some, Valentine’s Day may be a bigger deal in Japan because the girls are obliged to buy the men candy or chocolates on that day. These gifts are called giri choco, giri meaning obligation. “It’s fun and interesting to hear their different views,” says Mrs. Hattori.

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