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Iyashi Care is a community-based palliative care program for Japanese American and Japanese older adults with serious and/or chronic illnesses. Using a whole-person approach to health and an individual’s wellbeing, our bilingual team of health care professionals provides guidance and support for both patients and their loved ones as they pursue the best possible quality of life. This program is a collaboration between Keiro and Providence.
“What is Iyashi Care?” Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID7CWK7H1H4
Additional Pages on Iyashi Care:
Questions? Call 213.873.5791.
About Iyashi Care
Iyashi (癒し) is a Japanese word that means “to heal.” When older adults are diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness or are living with debilitating symptoms, they and their families are often faced with difficult decisions and situations. To help address those needs and bring peace of mind, Keiro and Providence partnered in 2017 to create a culturally-sensitive palliative care program for older adults in Our Community, combining Providence’s nationally-recognized leadership in palliative care with Keiro’s rich history of providing health and support services to older adults in the Japanese American and Japanese community.
Working alongside your current health care providers, the Iyashi Care team includes doctors, nurses, social workers, and administrative staff who provide assurance and guidance through the challenges that arise during the course of a serious illness. The team also provides assistance for families who are struggling with decision-making about complex medical issues and setting goals of care.
The Iyashi Care team, like the diagram here, works in partnership with you, your loved ones, and your primary doctor and specialists to support you along this journey.
Iyashi Care Services
Iyashi Care is a community-based program, meaning that enrolled patients will be able to receive care wherever they feel most comfortable—including in their own homes or if they are residing in a board and care home or other assisted living facility. Since no two patients are the same, the Iyashi Care team works with the patient and their loved ones to learn about their concerns, care preferences, and what is most important to them.
Depending on their needs, a patient may receive any of the following services in English and/or Japanese. Additionally, if Iyashi Care is not able to provide a needed service, they will work with the patient and their family to find suitable options.
When Do I Need Iyashi Care?
Palliative care may be provided at any time during a person’s illness, including from the time of diagnosis. It can be utilized at the same time as curative treatment.
If you or a loved one have a serious or chronic illness, or life-limiting symptoms, and are struggling with poor quality of life, understanding your health issues, care planning, or navigating the complex health system, Iyashi Care may be able to help.
Serious and chronic illness diagnoses include, but are not limited to: dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, heart conditions, respiratory diseases, and kidney disease. Other symptoms may include increasing general frailty, cognitive impairment, frequent falls, or declining mobility.
Palliative care is not hospice, and a patient cannot be enrolled in both at the same time. Please visit our FAQ page to learn more about the differences.
Cost of Iyashi Care
Patients who are enrolled in Iyashi Care will be eligible to receive ongoing consultations with the team—in person, or by phone, video conferencing, etc.—free of charge. The cost of any additional services will be discussed with you, the Iyashi Care team, and your insurance provider.
Public and private insurance reimbursement for community-based palliative care services is very limited. However, Keiro and Providence are committed to increasing access to valuable programs like palliative care for Our Community.
How Does Iyashi Care Work in Practice?
Palliative care is not one-size-fits-all – and Iyashi Care is no exception. The team gets to know each patient and their loved ones, working with them in a way that best meets their unique needs.
The articles and videos below explain more about how Iyashi Care works and families’ experiences with the program.
How Iyashi Care Works
How to Enroll in Iyashi Care
There are currently two ways you can inquire about Iyashi Care or enroll:
- Contact Keiro by calling 213.873.5791 or complete the online inquiry form here.
- Keiro staff will have an initial conversation with you about Iyashi Care. If you decide to proceed with enrollment, Keiro staff will then send information about the prospective patient to the Iyashi Care team for internal discussion.
- The Iyashi Care team will contact the initial caller/prospective patient by phone within a few business days for further screening. If eligible, the Iyashi Care team will assist the prospective patient with completing enrollment.