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In February 2024, Keiro shared the findings from its Community Needs Survey conducted in the summer of 2023. This survey, which was part of Keiro’s ongoing commitment to understanding the evolving aging needs of Our Community, confirmed that the majority of community members want to age in place at home, unless they experience a decline in their physical or cognitive health or the loss of essential caregiver support.

In its continuing efforts to strengthen the network of support for older adults and caregivers, the Keiro Board of Directors considered many factors, including previous community feedback, discussions with experts in the field of Alzheimer’s research and care, as well as monitoring trends in aging services.

On June 18, 2024, the Keiro Board of Directors announced plans to engage with community members on its intent to develop small-scale residential models of care, commonly referred to as “board and care homes,” to support those affected by memory loss. 

Following the announcement, Keiro launched the next phase of its plan to develop a financially viable, self-sustaining service that can impact Our Community, with a community-wide survey and select focus groups with an emphasis on memory care services.

Results of the 2024 Memory Care Survey

Keiro received over 900 responses to the memory care survey. 79% of respondents completed the survey in English, and 21% completed the survey in Japanese. 

85% of respondents expressed that they are moderately to very concerned about their cognitive health as they age. They also noted that memory loss affecting daily activities, difficulty performing familiar tasks and/or managing finances, and increasing confusion about time and/or location would prompt them to seek a medical check up.

Additionally, in the event of a diagnosis of a form of cognitive impairment, having a professional or paid caregiver was identified as the most preferred care option, followed by moving into a facility that can provide caregiving services.

Results of the 2023 Community Needs Survey

Last summer, Keiro collected contact information of interested participants between June and August 2023. Those who submitted their names and email addresses received a link from Vantage Research to fill out a 10-15 minute survey between August 1, 2023 and September 15, 2023. Results of this survey are available below. On February 29, 2024, Keiro announced the results of the survey in a one-page summary, available to all community members.

The survey had a 52% completion rate from 1096 registered participants. 81.5% of the participants completed the survey in English. All statistical testing was conducted at a 90% confidence level. Social programs hosted at Japanese/Japanese American community centers (58%) and transportation services (58%) were the two most commonly chosen programs/services that survey respondents said would be helpful to navigate the aging journey.

A decline in health was the biggest trigger for moving to a senior residential facility. Out of all the considerations for choosing a facility, quality of care was the most important factor for 50% of the respondents compared to other factors such as amenities, cost of care, culturally sensitive care, and being near friends.

Press Releases

Click on the link to view the press release.

• Memory Care Survey results (December 2024)
• Memory Care Survey announcement (June 2024)
• Community Needs Survey results and focus group (February 2024)
• Community Needs Survey announcement (June 2023)

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on the question to view the answer.

Why is Keiro conducting these surveys now?

Since the sale of our former facilities in 2016, Keiro’s leadership has worked alongside professionals in the field of aging to assess and analyze trends in the senior living industry. The COVID-19 pandemic has notably impacted these trends. Keiro’s Board Chair Jack Kurihara and President & CEO Beverly Ito are committed to continuing the ongoing process of understanding evolving community needs. The surveys and focus groups have helped guide Keiro in the next step of developing options for aging programs and services.

I disagree with Keiro’s decision to sell the former facilities. What’s in this for me?

We respect all opinions surrounding the sale in 2016. During our 60th Anniversary, Keiro acknowledged that we can always find ways to improve the way we listen to Our Community. These surveys and focus groups were some of the many steps we have taken to reconnect with different organizations and individuals who did not agree with the sale. Everyone in our community, regardless of their opinions of the sale, will age, and Keiro will strive to be a central hub of resources throughout the aging and caregiving journey.

What has Keiro been doing with the proceeds of the sale?

Since 2016, Keiro has continued to evolve its community-based programs to support older adults and their caregivers as they age, wherever they call home. Keiro has facilitated Quality of Life Classes to help older adults navigate their unique aging journeys, hosted Caregiver Conferences to bring resources to family caregivers, supported the efforts of local community organizations, churches, and temples to provide meaningful social programs and meals to their constituents, and increased the community’s accessibility to palliative care services through our Iyashi Care partnership with Providence and to mental health services for low income older adults through our partnership with Little Tokyo Service Center. Keiro also partnered with ESGVJCC to open ClubGenki, an adult day program in 2023 to offer a safe and supportive social program for older adults and lessen the daily challenges of caregiving.

Where is Keiro planning to open the first board and care home?

According to the results of the 2023 community survey, the South Bay, Orange County, and Little Tokyo were the top locations where respondents would consider moving into a senior residential care facility.

Why isn’t Keiro buying back its former facilities? 

Given current industry trends, Keiro will not consider buying back the former facilities at this time.

Why isn’t Keiro building a nursing home?

Given current industry trends, Keiro will not build, own, or operate a skilled nursing home at this time.

Why is Keiro focusing only on memory care? There are lots of other older adults without cognitive impairment who need help too.

Keiro recognizes that the needs of Our Community’s older adults will continually evolve, and our recent community engagement efforts have shown that there is a pressing need to support those who are living with cognitive health impairments. Our intention for developing a board and care home is to provide supportive services for these individuals and their families, while still continuing to support older adults without cognitive health impairments by empowering them to embrace their aging journey, support community caregivers, and enhance their access to aging services across Our Community.

I have a property that I’m willing to sell/donate to Keiro, if it will be used for a board and care home. Would Keiro consider it?

Yes, this can be considered. Please reach out to Keiro for further discussion. 

What will happen to Keiro’s community-based programs?

Community-based programs and services will continue to be the cornerstone of Keiro’s mission. Throughout Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties, Keiro’s programs and partnerships are providing services that will continue to expand the capacity for older adults to age well and age with confidence, wherever they call home. Keiro remains committed to serving the 85,000 older adults and their families who are living at home and in their local communities.

What other memory care-related programs and services is Keiro going to offer?

Keiro is collaborating with researchers in the fields of aging and cognitive health to expand its resources and educational outreach programs to promote brain health and caregiving support for those with memory loss.