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Keiro visits some of its history through photos taken across the years. Enjoy our trip down memory lane!

edwin hiroto 1962
Edwin Hiroto, one of Keiro’s founders, at the opening of the Japanese Hospital of Los Angeles (1961) – Keiro began operating hospitals as a first step to serving the older adults in the community. Although this hospital closed in the mid-80s, the concept of culturally-sensitive care dates back to these days. 

Left: Keiro’s founders at the groundbreaking ceremony of Keiro Nursing Home (1969) – Keiro and the founders realized that skilled nursing facilities were going to be the community’s need, and opened Keiro Nursing Home. They gradually shifted their focus to facility-based care.

Right: Minami Keiro Nursing Home opens in Lincoln Heights (1974) – Minami Keiro Nursing Home opened in 1974. Eventually, it closed in 1990 when the remodeled Keiro Nursing Home opened. 
  • exercise at Keiro
  • new years party at Keiro
Left: Exercise class (1984); Right: New Years Party festivities (1983) – Camera captures how facilities continued to provide culturally sensitive activities and events. 
Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan visited Keiro’s Boyle Heights Campus (1994) – Many residents were lost at words to be able to meet the royal couple, who visited to learn and appreciate the culturally sensitive care being offered in Los Angeles.
  • caregiver conference Keiro
  • healthy living classes
Left: Keiro’s second annual Caregiver Conference (2002) – Keiro began holding Caregiver Conferences in 2001. In 2021 we celebrated the 20th anniversary of continuing to support caregivers by providing practical and useful resources. 
Right: Keiro Class (2006) – Keiro began collaborating with community organizations to provide educational classes to older adults to promote healthy living and lifestyles to stay independent as they age. 
  • 50th luncheon Keiro group shot
  • genki expo 2011
Keiro celebrates its 50th Anniversary (2011) – Keiro celebrated its 50th anniversary with a luncheon (top) and a Genki Living Expo (bottom). The Genki Living Expo was a free event opened to the public.  
Left: Dr. Glen Komatsu, physician on the Iyashi Care team, presenting at Keiro’s Caregiver Conference (2017) – Keiro created Iyashi Care, a culturally-sensitive palliative care program in partnership with Providence in 2017, providing an extra layer of support to older adult patients and family members.
Left: Participants engage in radio taiso; Right: a participant enjoys her bento while wearing her lei, given to celebrate her milestone birthday at the first annual Keiro no Hi Festival (2018) – Keiro no Hi Festival began in 2018 to celebrate the lives of our older adults. The event attracted over 1000 participants and included hosted bento, complimentary transportation from designated locations, and performances and art displays for older adults to enjoy their day in Little Tokyo.