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OUR MISSION
To enhance the quality of senior life in Our Community
Founded in 1961, Keiro improves the quality of life for older adults and their caregivers in the Japanese American community of Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties. Keiro provides a range of culturally-sensitive programs and resources, in both English and Japanese, to meet the evolving needs of our aging community. In everything we do, we aim to build a community where everyone, across all generations, can live a healthier and more fulfilling life both at home and in community.
Since its founding in 1961, Keiro (“respect for our elders” in Japanese) has reflected the values of the Japanese American and Japanese community and its mission to enhance the quality of senior life in Our Community. Eight community leaders — George Aratani, Edwin Hiroto, Kiyo Maruyama, James Mitsumori, Gongoro Nakamura, Frank Omatsu, Joseph Shinoda, and Fred Wada — established Keiro to fulfill a need for compassionate, quality health care in a culturally-sensitive environment for the Issei (first generation) pioneers.
Throughout our 65 year history, Keiro’s commitment to Our Community has been unwavering as we continue to build upon the vision and legacy of our founders.
KEIRO ESTABLISHED
Keiro’s founders established Keiro Senior HealthCare to meet the needs of Japanese American older adults.
JAPANESE HOSPITAL OF LOS ANGELES
Keiro purchased the Japanese Hospital of Los Angeles, and began providing hospital care as a first step towards caring for the needs of Our Community. (Merged with City View Hospital in 1962)
CITY VIEW HOSPITAL
Keiro acquired City View Hospital through a lease/purchase agreement to meet the community’s growing care needs. (Closed in 1985)
KEIRO NURSING HOME
Keiro Nursing Home opened to provide care for those who need long-term care. This is the nation’s first culturally sensitive long-term care facility for Japanese American and Japanese older adults. (Sold in 2016)
MINAMI KEIRO NURSING HOME
Minami Keiro Nursing Home in Lincoln Heights opened. (Closed in 1990)
KEIRO RETIREMENT HOME
Keiro Retirement Home opened on the Boyle Heights campus for independent older adults. (Sold in 2016)
KEIRO INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITY
Keiro Intermediate Care Facility opened on the Boyle Heights campus for older adults who needed additional assistance to remain active and independent. (Sold in 2016)
SOUTH BAY KEIRO NURSING HOME
South Bay Keiro Nursing Home opened in Gardena, extending care to those living in that area. (Sold in 2016)
MEMORY CARE UNIT ESTABLISHED
The Special Care Unit for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia opened at Keiro Nursing Home.
ADULT DAY CENTER IN ORANGE COUNTY
Keiro Adult Day Center of Orange County opened, providing services to older adults living at home. (Closed in 2003)
ADULT DAY HEALTHCARE CENTER IN TORRANCE
Keiro Adult Day Healthcare Center opened in Torrance. (Closed in 2006)
CAREGIVER CONFERENCE
Keiro hosted its first Caregiver Conference to expand support to caregivers in the community.
THE INSTITUTE FOR HEALTHY AGING
The Institute for Healthy Aging at Keiro launched with the aim of empowering older adults in the community to age well and in a manner of their choosing.
SALE OF FORMER FACILITIES
Keiro made the difficult decision of selling the four former facilities, and shifted its focus to serving older adults and caregivers living in the community.
KEIRO GRANTS PROGRAM
As the first step towards building a community where everyone lives a healthy and fulfilling life post-sale, Keiro launched its grants program, providing funding to organizations serving older adults in Our Community.
IYASHI CARE
Keiro established Iyashi Care, a new partnership with Providence, to provide the nation’s first palliative care program for Japanese American and Japanese older adults living with serious illnesses.
KEIRO & LTSC PARTNERSHIP
Keiro and Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) partnered to expand and enhance LTSC’s existing bilingual mental health services and establish a client assistance fund to provide additional support for those in need.
KEIRO NO HI FESTIVAL
Keiro hosted its first annual Keiro no Hi Festival, celebrating with over 1,000 older adults in the community.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Keiro shifted its programming to weekly virtual classes and events to increase accessibility to valuable resources. In partnership with Little Tokyo Service Center and Little Tokyo Community Council, Keiro supported the Little Tokyo Eats program to address the immediate needs of local older adults who were most vulnerable to experience food insecurity and social isolation during the pandemic. Keiro also continued to support the residents and staff of its former facilities by funding culturally-sensitive programming, meals, and special events.
CLUBGENKI
Keiro partnered with the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center (ESGVJCC) to open ClubGenki, a culturally-sensitive senior adult day program that seeks to enhance the quality of life for older adults aging at home.
KEIRO KIKYO HOME BOARD & CARE HOME ANNOUNCEMENT
Keiro announced that the first property for a board and care home had been purchased in Torrance. The board and care has been named Keiro Kikyo Home.