Discover rewarding retirement living | hollenbeck palms

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Hollenbeck 2014

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Sample inspired menu selections, freshly prepared each day— served in our Grand Dining Room, or more casual Skyline Bistro.

124 Years of Vitality & Growth

Hollenbeck Palms is a Continuing Care Retirement Community serving The Greater Los Angeles area.

Discover Rewarding Retirement Living

Keeping pace with today’s older population requires attention to the whole person — and the historic, Hollenbeck Palms retirement oasis continues to expand in capacity, energy and wellness opportunities.

Situated on a stunning 8-acre garden terrace overlooking downtown LA, Hollenbeck Palms offers a variety of rewarding lifestyle choices and beautiful accommodations. Residents enjoy a vibrant social calendar, freshly cooked meals in our Grand Dining Room or Skyline Bistro, a modern Gym, and free transportation to events and shopping. We invite you to tour Magnolia Court, our new residential/recreational complex with full kitchens, balconies and walk-in closets.

Wellness programs, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing 24/7 are all provided on the same campus.

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Hollenbeck’s certified trainers lead aerobics, range of motion, tai chi, dance classes, walking groups and gym workouts — all with an eye on individual preferences and abilities. Fresh, healthful food and a wide range of on and off-campus cultural and just-for-fun activities allow residents to experience life at its fullest.

What’s New in Food

“People get better,” says full-time Nurse Practitioner Grace Hartono, who develops and monitors each resident’s customized care plan. She likes nothing more than seeing residents blossom and improve their mobility, their mood, their stamina and independence.

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Celebrating National Senior Fitness Day annually in May, The Hollenbeck Fitness Club is a group of residents which is recognized each year for their “above and beyond” participation in reaching their fitness goals. Activity Coordinator Dennis Hiebert organizes the event, with founder/sponsor Dr. Marian Fedak awarding certificates and fitness accessories gifts.

Lifestyle Interests

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Nearby LA Attractions: Ahmanson • Mark Taper Forum Dorothy Chandler Pavillion Walt Disney Concert Hall • Chinatown Little Tokyo • Dodger Stadium Olvera Street • Union Station MOCA • Brasserie-Music Center Japanese-American Museum 60

Says Dennis: “It’s not about losing weight or gaining muscle. Exercise is the foundation to keep you strong and able to handle everyday activities comfortably ... to keep going with the lifestyle you want.”

PAGE 6 “Hollenbeck’s exercise program is very accessible.

The staff is cooperative and helpful.”

– Ed Whitley

COA 212 / RCFE 191800001

Fun with Retirement Shopping!

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Trimming the Grapevine

by William G. Heideman, President

Excitement is Building as Anticipated Changes Take Shape E nthusiasm is spreading throughout our Hollenbeck community! We are launching a visionary expansion designed to meet the needs of a critical and growing group of residents. As lifespans continue to increase, so does the number of people needing special care for late-life conditions.

Hollenbeck is proud to be one of the few Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Los Angeles County, and our new, state-of-the-art skilled nursing center will enhance a vital piece of our three-tiered spectrum of care.

A tremendous amount of work and planning has been devoted to designing the optimum setting for our most frail residents and the staff who care for them. It’s truly exhilarating to watch it take shape.

Architect’s rendering of our proposed two-story, 24 bed Memory Enhancement Center. Immediately to the left is our planned 27 bed skilled nursing addition/renovation.

While our expansion is the biggest news story at Hollenbeck, it’s far from the only one;

we’ve also welcomed two key new staff members. Director of Development Sally Sanders is spearheading our Capital Campaign to identify and grow sources of funding support for Hollenbeck Palms.

Food Services Director Jackie Small, whose extensive culinary career includes 15 years at Sodexo, is passionate about food that is fresh and flavorful. Leading a dedicated staff of 41, she’s made many delightful changes, which have been met with enthusiastic feedback.

Hollenbeck is committed to offering the lifestyle and choices our residents expect, such as our superb fitness program, led by our own certified trainers. It starts with a customized plan for each resident, and plays out in a range of activities designed to enhance mobility, mood, stamina and independence.

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Chef Henry Lara serves at a “Taste Of” Lemon Chicken

want to do something different for the residents...food that isn’t institutional. No frozen. Fresh.

As if they’re going out to eat.”

What’s New with

Left: Joe Gardner & Andrea Perez.

Right: 2013 scholarship awardees, from left to right: Marisol Vera, Stephanie Prado, Andrea Perez, Erika Martinez and Alfredo Gonzales.

and a degree in Nutrition and Food Management. She does a lot of testing at home, and her family happily benefits from these experiments.

Jackie has initiated a series of monthly “Taste Of...” demonstrations where residents learn and sample unusual cuisine such as fruit soups and enticing vegetarian combinations. She plans to maintain the regular sushi bar and Hollenbeck’s popular theme buffets.

That’s the philosophy of Jackie Small, Food Service Director at Hollenbeck Palms since August. With serious culinary skills and creative enthusiasm, Jackie has been delighting residents and staff alike.

Ginger beef, green curried Thai shrimp, citrus herbal orange roughy, homemade waffles, Napa cabbage, apricot rosemary glazed chicken ... you get the idea.

Food!

Originally from Jamaica, Jackie has a lifelong love of cooking

“Everybody is very helpful and I think I have a lot to offer,” Jackie says. “I care about feedback from residents, building and motivating my team, and training them with guest chefs.” The response so far? A resounding, “Yummy!”

“Choralmania”a smash hit Hollenbeck has enjoyed a long, rewarding partnership with LA Opera as a member of their Community Chorus Network. Last August, the Opera launched a new bimonthly singing class “Choralmania” at Hollenbeck, professionally directed by LA Opera Teaching Artists Miki Yamashita and Daniel Redfeld. They present a lively session of vocal instruction and repartee with resident participants in musical theatre, opera standards, operetta, and some popular tunes.

At Hollenbeck today, the energy couldn’t be higher. Here’s to a year of exciting growth!

Residents Raise $5,000 for Staff Scholarship Program Five members of the Hollenbeck staff who attend college part-time have been awarded scholarships of $750-1,000 under the Hollenbeck Scholarship Program. The resident-funded program accepts yearly applications from staff who have two years of college and are pursuing a degree or license upgrade. Winners are introduced to the residents in July and at the fall employees’ picnic, where their families can join in the celebration. Executive Council Chair Joe Gardner remembers one winner crying when she heard the news. “I’m enrolled for next semester,” she said, “but I didn’t have money for books.” Two staff members who received scholarships in 2011 have earned their CNA degrees and are now working as Certified Nursing Assistants at Hollenbeck.

“I

Jackie Small

Jonah and the Whale and LA Opera personnel, top row: Velina Hasu Houston, librettist of Jonah and the Whale; James Conlon, LA Opera’s Richard Seaver Music Director; Miki Yamashita, LA Opera Teaching Artist; and Jack Perla, composer of Jonah and the Whale.

In March, members of the Hollenbeck program performed with other Community Chorus members and LA Opera principals at Our Lady of the Angels in a new operetta, Jonah and The Whale.

On June 19 Choralmania presented their season-end performance at Hollenbeck.

Hollenbeck Choralmania members, top row from left: Dora Hernandez and Sara Macpherson. Bottom row: Esther Jacobs, Betts Hall, Trudy Sivick, Minar Rony, Gerald Rowland and Lionel Hernandez.

The program gets raves from residents. “I’ve always enjoyed big musical productions,” says Gerald Rowland. “It was great to actually be in one!” Betts Hall notes, “No one saw us as old. We were just people singing together.” Esther Jacobs says the experience brought back fond memories of when she was in a chorus and a super with an opera company. Trudy Sivick used to be on stage as well. For some, it was a first. “I had never sung before,” says Lionel Hernandez. “I know I don’t have a good voice, but I enjoy Miki’s classes. I even bought a new black shirt for the show.”

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welcome New Residents

Ernest & Rosamond Flores Growing weary of maintaining their lovely Monrovia townhouse, Team Flores moved to Hollenbeck Palms last July and have been on the go ever since. It’s fitting, since Ernest, a retired civil engineer, designed transportation patterns in and out of the Port of Long Beach.

Familiar with Hollenbeck because of friends who lived there, Rosamond was always impressed with “how helpful people were, and how they gave the personal touch.” Says Ernest, “We looked at several other communities but they didn’t have the expanse, the greenery, the open feeling.” The Flores’ stay on the move, attending concerts, museums, performances, and visiting family. Rosamond especially enjoys participating in Hollenbeck’s singing groups. “I took voice lessons as a kid,” she reports, “and we get real vocal coaching from people connected with the L.A. Opera. It’s wonderful.”

Kimiko Kitaoka Born in Sacramento, Kimiko moved to Japan with her family when she was five years old. At 21, she returned to the US, settling in Los Angeles and marrying Namio Kitaoka. The couple raised a son and daughter in the Westside community of Venice/ Mar Vista and later moved to the Torrance area.

Kimiko worked as an electronic technician at TRW, which was then an aerospace corporation. During her retirement, she enjoyed traveling to countries around the world. After her husband’s passing, she moved to a retirement home, and recently came to Hollenbeck Palms. She enjoys spending time with her four grandsons and great-grandson and pursuing her hobbies of quilting and sewing.

Peter L. Smith

Childhood friends who lost track of each other after high school, Rosamond and Ernest reconnected and married in 2002. Growing up in San Bernardino, the couple’s mothers were good friends and social workers at a church-based settlement house. “The social center was like a second home to us since we were six years old, and we went to the same junior high and high school,” Ernest recalls. After graduation, his family moved to the Long Beach area while Rosamond joined the military and worked at the Pentagon, later earning a degree in American Studies from Cal State Los Angeles.

Rosamond raised three children in Alhambra, and worked as an administrator for non-profit groups such as the Visiting Nurse and the International Institute. When Ernest’s wife died, a childhood pastor encouraged Rosamond’s family to attend the funeral. Their reunion after 40 years has unfolded into happy history for the couple and their total of five adult children.

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Peter had a distinguished career in the US Air Force Strategic Air Command. He joined the Air Force near the start of the Korean War, shortly after SAC was created. It was charged with overseeing the country’s land-based strategic bomber and support aircraft, including aerial refueling, strategic reconnaissance and fighter escorts. As Deputy Wing commander, pilot and instructor, Peter piloted a range of military aircraft, including B-25, T-28 and B-29 bombers, KC-97 and KC-135 (Boeing 707) Stratotankers, and air rescue jet helicopters. His postings included ten years at Castle AFB in Merced County, California, North America and Greenland; and three years in England, Europe, North Africa and Asia.

Peter’s son brought him to visit Hollenbeck. When he later fell and broke his hip, he moved here and became a resident. His favorite people are his twin granddaughters, their mother and father.

Satsuki Shigekawa The youngest of four children, Satsuki was born and raised in Los Angeles by parents who had immigrated to the US from Japan at the turn of the last century. Aside from a brief period in Salt Lake City during World War II, he lived in the same Silverlake home for 70 years — 55 of them with his wife, Edna. The couple had three children and five grandchildren, now ages 21 to 31. Satsuki especially enjoys watching baseball on TV and looks forward to

Dodger season every year. An excellent golfer in the past, he follows the PGA games with interest. Satsuki’s sister, the late Dr. Sakaye Shigekawa, was also a Hollenbeck resident. A noted physician, she was the first female president of the staff at Queen of Angels Hospital in Los Angeles, and the facility’s first JapaneseAmerican doctor.

Claire Lewis A clear asset to Hollenbeck Palms is bubbly Claire Lewis, a retired special education teacher who moved in last summer. “I love it here,” she says. “People are so nice. I’ve made good friends and the special events here are exceptional.”

After receiving a master’s degree in counseling from Cal State Fullerton, Claire spent her career in the classroom helping K-12 students with learning disabilities. Working in Orange County’s Placentia/Yorba Linda Unified Schools, she has only compliments about the district’s attention to this program. “So many of these students need one-on-one attention,” she says, “and I couldn’t have done it without the help of my aides.”

Interestingly, Claire was born and spent her early childhood in the Boyle Heights area and fondly remembers eating at local Jewish delicatessens after attending church on Sundays. She has high hopes for the neighborhood and sees it coming back strong.

Her son and daughter live nearby and visit regularly. Meantime, Claire actively pursues exercise, tai chi, Bible study, current events and board games. “I’m learning dominoes,” she reports. “It’s really a challenge.”

An avid reader, she enjoys historical novels, particularly those about the World War II era. Another favorite activity of Claire’s is writing poetry. “I’m spoiled,” she declares, “and I couldn’t be happier.”

Shinya Honda Shinya Honda was born in Denver, Colorado. He served in MIS (Military Intelligence Service) during World War II, and received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2012. Shinya lived in Oakland, California for most of his life, and moved to Pacific Palisades in June 2012. During his career in San Francisco he worked in marketing for Meitetsu. Later he was asked to manage the restaurant Nikko on Van Ness which enjoyed much success during his eight year tenure.

as its East Coast Regional Manager. George and Kuni are adjusting to California living and enjoying the mild winter weather. (He doesn’t miss shoveling snow at all!) They appreciate the kindness of the staff and other residents and enjoy participating in the many activities offered to them.

Anita Corral Anita has lived within minutes of Hollenbeck all her life. As an adult, she cared for her mother and uncle in the family home in Montebello while pursuing a long career in retail at Broadway Stores. She studied fashion illustration, and called on her design and fine sewing skills to create exquisite outfits, including lavish christening gowns, for personal clients. She also performed dancing with her musician cousins. Anita discovered Hollenbeck when a friend suggested they go to an open house. “I was delighted by the gardens,” she says. “I soon discovered the people here are just as lovely.” A talented watercolorist, Anita is now enjoying mastering a new medium, acrylic, in Hollenbeck’s art classes.

Dr. Yoshio & Natsuko Akiyama The Akiyama’s were virtually destined for Hollenbeck.

Not only has our medical director, Dr. Thomas Kanegae, long been the couple’s physician, but Dr. Akiyama, a distinguished pediatrician, treated Dr. Kanegae’s children. Married for 58 years, the pair met at UCLA, where Dr. Akiyama graduated in the school’s second-ever medical class. (They’re enthusiastic Bruins fans to this day.) They made their home on the Westside, and Natsuko taught

George & Kuni Tamaki The Tamakis arrived at Hollenbeck Palms in September 2013. Both were born in California, but lived in New Jersey for 62 years. During World War II, George served with the Signal Corps as a radar instructor. He received his engineering degree from Syracuse University and worked for Hewlett-Packard for 34 years, retiring in 1986

elementary school in Los Angeles. The couple spent a total of six years in the Netherlands, two when Dr. Akiyama received a prestigious Giannini (continued on page 7) 2014 EDITION / 5

lifestyle

Interests

Hollenbeck residents seek out activities that keep them involved and learning — plunging into classes, expanding their knowledge, and exploring the community. Our Activity Department starts by finding out what they want to do, then creates programs based on that input. We bring in qualified instructors to teach specialties like ceramic glazing, square dancing, block printing and watercolor painting. Some residents initiate and coordinate activities of their own, including lectures, card games, golf, and film discussions.

Hollenbeck has even become a launching site for innovative pilot programs like “Choralmania”, sponsored by LA Opera’s Community Chorus Network.

Resident Betts Hall’s dream of refurbishing a treasured violin has come true, thanks to students from the i.am College Track program at Roosevelt High in Boyle Heights. The achievement was their pilot project with Wish of a Lifetime, a national nonprofit which helps grant seniors’ wishes. They chose Hollenbeck because it’s in their immediate community, and the violin restoration was paid for

Cortelia Davis, Kimiko Kitaoka and Pearl Matsusaka discuss fabric trim for a quilt embroidered by Toshiko Suguro. The group is sewing lap quilts for skilled nursing residents. The quilts will be on display in the Rose Parlor starting July 16.

Dean Martin tribute artist, Steve Waddington, delighted residents and guests with beloved songs from “Dino,” as well as other famous performers of the “Ratpack” era.

Partner Susan Ritter joined him for animated duets of Dino and AnnMargaret and Sonny and Cher.

Fun With

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retirement Shopping!

veryone knows that moving can be a stressful experience. But if you approach shopping for a retirement community like shopping for a new pair of shoes, it gets a whole lot easier. You want comfort, style, quality and durability. Try on a few pair. Do they look good? Are they flexible? Can you step out in ease and confidence?

Comfort – Walk about Hollenbeck Palms’ lush, eight-acre campus with its attractive gardens, plazas, and stunning view of the Los Angeles cityscape. Our variety of spacious, well-appointed apartments and grounds are maintained by a dedicated crew – no more home maintenance worries!

Style – Glide into the Grand Dining Room or stroll into The Skyline

through student fundraising and Chase Bank. College Track Site Director Tina Kim says the group got a new view of what a quality senior residential setting is like. Students and residents looked forward to meeting at each visit. “Many students had only experienced oneday community projects,” she says. “With this ongoing commitment, they built important skills for the future.”

Bistro. You’ll find fascinating menus and fresh dining experiences that rival any restaurant in town. “Savor the Flavor” tastings, a quarterly sushi bar, and an ice cream parlor are regular features for foodies.

Quality – Step into the adventure of making new friends from

all walks of life whose range of interests match Hollenbeck’s wide array of activities. Find pleasure and stimulation among choices galore – from painting to opera, quilting to dancing, casino excursions to brain boosting games.

Durability – Hollenbeck promotes wellness with established connections to top medical resources. A range of walk-in services

are available on site, such as general check-ups, dental, hearing, and podiatry. Customized, assisted living services can even be provided right in your own apartment. It’s called “aging in place,” and with our skilled nursing center right on campus, as your requirements change you can receive continuing care, assuring that you’ll never have to move again.

Accept a standing invitation to visit our garden campus and explore our selection of residential choices. Meet our friendly residents and discover how much you have in common. You may find that “our shoes” are just the right fit!

New Residents (continued from page 5) (Dr. & Mrs. Akiyama, continued)

Residents visited the newly-renovated Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, where the “Treasures of Walt Disney Archives” was on special exhibit. They boarded the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ship, and also toured Air Force One and the Oval Office.

Post-doctorate Research Fellowship in Groningen and four more when he returned to collaborate on a Dutch newborn neurology research project with Dr. Heinz Prechtl, a leader in the field. In addition to their relationship with Dr. Kanegae, the Akiyamas chose Hollenbeck because they were impressed by its continuum of care — something that made their choice even more positive.

Miwa Hamasaki Born in Japan, Miwa attended Toyo Eiwa University, where she met her late husband, Yoshitsugu. He studied law and eventually became a Union Bank Administrator in Los Angeles, while she later went to beauty school. After moving to Los Angeles, she opened Miwa’s Beauty Salon, a business she continues to operate while living at Hollenbeck. She and her husband enjoyed many of LA’s cultural activities, including those related to his work as a theater director and writer for TV Fun magazine and Rafu Shimpo newspaper. Yoshitsugu also wrote a book which Miwa has published, reflecting his view that “no one gains through war.”

Recently, Hollenbeck resident Dr. Harold Sunoo presented this work to fellow residents and Miwa’s new friends. “Everyone here is very nice,” she notes. “I am enjoying spending time with them.” Miwa also continues to visit her favorite restaurants and Temple nearby.

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