Brentwood Mother Speaks Out After Assault, Raises Concerns Over Suspect’s Release
Carmina Lu, New Mother Attacked in Broad Daylight, Tells Her Story
I spoke to the victim of the recent sexual assault in South Brentwood. Carmina Lu is a new mother, who was just taking a walk in the neighborhood where she has lived for a few years. Originally, from Utah, she moved to Brentwood because it was known as a safe neighborhood.
The suspect, 26-year-old Abraham Shily, a Brentwood resident, was arrested two days later but quickly posted the $50,000 bond on the same day and went free.
I asked Carmina how she felt about this development and she said, in an emailed statement, “Clearly, the terms of bail failed to take into consideration my safety and that of the neighborhood. It is not clear to me that he will not re-offend. He has a history of violence including a battery arrest in 2016 and recent assaults on his family members.”
When asked if she feels safe, Lu responded, “I don’t feel safe and can’t go on walks alone in my neighborhood.”
This is the interview when we spoke shortly after Carmina Lu was assaulted.
Dolores Quintana: How are you doing?
Carmina Lu: I’m doing a bit better, obviously still shaken up. I didn’t sleep very well last night, but, I’m just kind of dealing with the aftermath and processing everything.
Dolores Quintana: Unfortunately, that’s to be expected. Obviously, after something like this happens, it’s very hard to deal with.
Carmina Lu: We moved to this neighborhood precisely because we felt that it would be a great place to live and we could feel safe. But unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to look at our streets the same way again.
Dolores Quintana: I’m really sorry to hear that. When did you move to Brentwood?
Carmina Lu: We moved to our first home in the area in 2020. More recently, we moved up Gretna Green. I was visiting a former neighbor who is still a friend at our old residence. She and I were walking around with my baby and her four-year-old, just a block or two away. We were at the point at which we
said our goodbyes, and I started heading home.
It was then that this individual came and attacked me, less than 5 minutes after my friend and I parted ways.
Dolores Quintana: Then you were on the way home and were attacked. The attack happened during the day, correct?
Carmina Lu: Yes, in broad daylight, with lots of other people walking around. Once people heard me screaming very quickly, there were people asking me if I was okay. Nobody actually saw the assault, but two women were walking
behind me. They came to help. One of the husbands started running after the guy but didn’t catch him. Obviously, the neighbors all came to my aid, which I’m so grateful for. I started thinking about someone else getting hurt, and I decided to speak to the media.
Dolores Quintana: I think you made the right decision.
Carmina Lu: If anything, I think more visibility about the case will make sure that they take action.
The Los Angeles Police Department did arrest a suspect within two days, after a community member saw the KTLA 5 report and contacted the LAPD.
Dolores Quintana: You were not only hit by this man, but he committed a sexual assault as well, correct?
Carmina Lu: He came up behind me. He grabbed me and he was thrusting himself on me. I started screaming and telling him to leave me alone. But I was also defending myself and hitting him. Then at a certain point, he punched me three or four times. With head trauma, there’s a lot of blood. But, honestly, the scariest thing for me was that split second before he ran off.
In that second, he glanced at the baby stroller like he might do something, and then he ran off. But I’m just so grateful that nothing happened to the baby. I could keep thinking about different scenarios that could have been worse, so I honestly feel lucky.
Dolores Quintana: I am so sorry. That is awful. You shouldn’t ever have to have to experience something like that. But you did say that people immediately in the area started trying to come to your aid, which is good.
Carmina Lu: I’m very grateful that in that sense. It was broad daylight, and there were people around, so it was good
to have help. But I think he had some type of mental illness.
Dolores Quintana: Did he threaten you?
Carmina Lu: No, the only words that he spoke to me when I started yelling at him to get off of me and he didn’t let go. When I did that, he said that there was a bee on me. Which is a very strange explanation for what he was doing. But then after that, he didn’t say anything.
Dolores Quintana: Is there anything else that you would like people to know about this?
Carmina Lu: I guess the one thing that I would say is that I would have never thought of myself as being the target of something like this because I’m 5’8 and I’m athletic. I did martial arts for 10 years. I don’t walk around thinking that person is threatening or feeling threatened. But I think being a mother; I don’t know if that made me potentially a target because I was just a little bit more vulnerable, a little bit less mobile. My mind is on the baby. So maybe, I wasn’t as vigilant as I would normally be. It’s been a new transition for me. I’m just recovering from delivery.
For all those reasons, I’ve really never thought of myself as being a target because I do know that I can stand my ground and I can fight back. But the most important thing, of course, is that you know the baby is safe.
The Angelic Voice of Award-Winning Soprano
Zahra The Angelic Voice of Award-Winning Soprano
Performing her debut role of Liu in Puccini’s Turandot her debut role of Liu in Puccini’s Turandot AT WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL Friday, August 16th at 7:30pm CONCERT Friday, at 7:30pm
“A promising young opera singer.” -The Los Angeles Times
“Rising star of the opera world” -John Lavitt, Hollywood Times
Featuring Dream Orchestra conducted by Daniel Suk with 200 performers, Top Opera Soloists, Opera Choir of Los Angeles, and Han Opera Studio of China Conservatory of Music.
Featuring Dream Orchestra conducted by Daniel Suk with Top Opera Soloists, Choir of Los Angeles, Han Opera Studio of China of Music.
Felony Battery Suspect Arrested in South Brentwood Sexual Assault on July 16
26-Year-Old Taken Into Custody After Assault on Gretna Green Way
Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Los Angeles Division have announced the arrest of a suspect in a felony battery case.
The incident occurred on July 16, 2024, at approximately 4:40 p.m. The victim was walking on Gretna Green Way near Mayfield Avenue, pushing her 1-month-old daughter in a stroller, when she was approached from behind by the suspect. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Abraham Shily, allegedly grabbed the victim’s waist with both hands and simulated sexual activity, making physical contact with her hips. The victim responded by striking the suspect in the face, but the suspect retaliated, striking the
victim multiple times, causing her to fall to the ground and sustain serious injuries. The suspect then fled on foot towards Montana Avenue.
Following an investigation, detectives identified and arrested Shily on July 18, 2024. He was booked for felony battery under 243 (D) PC.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact West Los Angeles Robbery Detective Yagubyan at (213) 3990135. For non-business hours or weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-247 (877-527-3247). Anonymous tips can be made by calling the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Additionally, tips can be submitted through the “P3 Tips” mobile application by selecting the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as the local program.
Beloved Brentwood Monument Destroyed by Vandals on San Vincente Median
A Symbol of Community History and Dedication Found in Pieces
One of Brentwood’s most cherished monuments was callously destroyed by vandals last week.
The Bonner Bench, a significant part of Brentwood’s history, was installed in 1985 to commemorate the school’s 42 years of operation. It was a heartfelt donation from Esther Bonner, the school’s founder. The bench, found in pieces on the San Vincente median, was a poignant reminder of the independent elementary school, Bonner School, which served through grade 6 and was located at 11991 San Vicente Boulevard from the 1960s to the mid-80s. Its destruction is a loss not just of a physical structure but of a cherished piece of the community’s past.
The Brentwood Community Council, deeply saddened by the news, sent out an email to the community. They noted, “The dedication of the bench, a gift to the City and all of us that call Brentwood home, was announced in the LA Times back in 1985. The bench dedication was part of a homecoming ceremony for former students
of the school…Esther Bonner passed away on June 9, 1998 at 95 years of age. The bench was an ever-present reminder until just days ago.”
Community members were angered and mystified, and the Brentwood Community Council issued this statement, “The destruction of the park bench in the San Vicente median, a gift to the City and Brentwood residents from Esther Bonner, founder of Bonner Schoool, due to the heartless acts of vandals, is sad, frustrating, inexplicable, and unforgivable.” The council members are working to “organize a replacement effort and will fundraise in our community in order to replace the bench.” and neighbors have already expressed their
interest in the cause.
Council District 11 City Councilmember Traci Park said via social media, “I was devastated to learn of the destruction by vandals of the Bonner Bench, a Brentwood fixture celebrating the Bonner School, which educated local children for decades. My team and I are working closely with the Brentwood community to ensure there is no delay in replacing the bench, all while ensuring that the vandals who destroyed this beloved monument are held accountable.
This news comes after a series of incidents in which fireworks have been thrown and set off by adolescents, some of whom were observed using electric scooters from April through June. One was thrown into an apartment building’s parking garage, and
another recent incident started a fire. The BCC’s message also stated that a series of obscene graffiti had started to appear on streets in the area. While the graffiti has been cleaned up by the city, it represents a danger for the people painting the graffiti who do so in traffic lanes and drivers, as well as an extra expense of funds that could be better used by the city elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the destruction has been reported to the Los Angeles Police Department. Residents are speaking with businesses to see if any video footage of the destruction is available. Anyone with any information about the incident is encouraged to file an online vandalism report with LAPD and to email our Senior Lead Officer, Matthew Kirk, at 34713@lapd.online.
Brentwood Beat: Omar, the Hero of Coral Tree Café
By Jeff Hall
I want to thank a guy named Omar, who works at Coral Tree. My wife and I go there fairly often, and we’ve come to know Omar pretty well. He always takes good care of us.
Recently, we were sitting out on the outdoor patio at Coral Tree, and a guy sitting near us got up and left – but without his hat and water bottle.
He left through the restaurant and I thought he was headed for the parking lot, accessible through the back door.
I jumped up and followed him inside. As it turns out, he wasn’t leaving. He was just pouring himself a cup of water from the big water jug inside.
He could sense me approaching him, and he suddenly turned on me in a very menacing way.
“Back off!” he insisted.
Of course, I immediately did.
I explained to him that I just didn’t want him to forget his hat and water bottle –and that I was just trying to be helpful.
But it didn’t stop there.
He continued to growl at me as we both went back to our tables, which were, unfortunately, quite close to one another. It was pretty clear he didn’t like me.
We started getting into it, and it felt like
there was potential for violence, even. We live in cranky times.
He kept saying he was a Marine, and I figured maybe he was a patient over at the VA, getting treatment for PTSD or something. I really don’t know what was triggering him.
I kept apologizing, telling him I was only trying to be helpful. That wasn’t doing the trick.
Omar, inside, could tell something was wrong out on the patio, and he came out to investigate. He quickly positioned himself between our two tables.
The guy continued growling, and Omar, in a rather quiet, persistent, and diplomatic way, talked the guy down. Within a minute or two, things were reasonably calm again—although, by this time, I was pretty rattled.
Omar offered to get my wife and me a table inside the restaurant, but we were getting ready to leave, and we did. Something like this has never happened to us at Coral Tree before, and I doubt it ever will again. This was a one-time situation,
I’m sure.
But still, I really appreciate how Omar –I don’t even know his last name – handled this situation. I contacted Coral Tree via its “Contact Us” form and pointed out Omar’s heroism. I hope they give Omar a raise or a promotion – or both!
I also want to thank the Marine for his service, and I hope he finds peace. If he suffers some kind of combat-related trauma, we need to remember that what he did, he did for us.
WELCOME TO HARVEST OF SANTA MONICA
SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY: LOCAL-ONLY DEALS AWAIT
Santa Monica, CA – In an effort to bring our vibrant community closer together, we are thrilled to announce a series of exclusive localonly deals designed specifically for Santa Monica residents. These deals aim to celebrate our community, support local businesses, and offer unique benefits to those who call Santa Monica home.
BUILDING A STRONGER & SAFER
SANTA MONICA TOGETHER
In today’s fast-paced world, community importance is often overlooked. In Santa Monica, our spirit thrives through local efforts. Enjoy exclusive deals, support the local economy, and trust our California-compliant, clean products. Choose local, invest in our flourishing community! Together, we can make a difference.
Trust our commitment to quality and community, celebrate milestones that define our journey; at Harvest of Santa Monica, blending integrity with innovation, offering products reflecting dedication to excellence and well-being, each interaction and deal a brushstroke on the canvas of our thriving community— embrace our shared adventure, face the future with confidence, and remember: We’ve got this! Believe in our community's power to craft a story of success, growth, and togetherness.
Award-Winning Soprano Golda Zahra to debut role of Liu in concert GALA performance of Turandot at Walt Disney Hall celebrating 100 years of Puccini
Los Angeles, California, July 23, 2024. LA Music Center’s Spotlight Award winner Golda Zahra to perform in concert gala production of Puccini’s Turandot with Dream Orchestra led by renowned conductor Maestro Daniel Suk. This outstanding production will feature 200 performers, top soloists, Opera
Choir of Los Angeles, and Han Opera Conservatory of Music traveling from China for this EPIC performance!
When: Friday, August 16 at 7:30pm
Where: Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA Music Center, 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles
Tickets: DreamOrchestra.org or MusicCenter.org
For media inquiries, contact Shallom Berkman at 310-749-8879, or email sberkman@urthcaffe.com
Golda Zahra will debut the role of Liu in Turandot at Walt Disney Hall coming after her most recent spectacular soldout concert at the BroadStage in Santa Monica. This concert GALA production of Turandot will have over 200 performers, including the Opera Choir of Los Angeles, Singing the title role Turandot is Chelsea Lehnea, soprano, Arnold Livingston Geis as Calaf, Zihan Xiu and Golda Zahra making their debut as Liu, joined by all professional Opera Chorus of Los Angeles and Han China Conservatory of Music accompanied by the Los Angeles Dream Orchestra lead by Maestro Daniel Suk. A delegation of singers from the Han China Conservatory of Music lead by Chinese opera star, soprano, Yanwen Han are traveling all the way from China to perform in this EPIC concert gala! Daniel
Suk, music director of Dream Orchestra and the producer of the Turandot Concert Gala, has enjoyed an international career across Italy and the US that spans more than 25 years. Turandot is Puccini’s final and most world-renowned opera that takes place in China, made famous by the aria “Nessun Dorma” performed by the legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti, as well as many great tenors past and present. Golda Zahra has been hailed as “A promising young opera singer” by the L.A. Times, a “Rising Star of the opera world” by the Hollywood Times, and a rising star of her generation. She has performed as a soloist with orchestras including The Southwest Symphony, Hollywood Chamber Orchestra, and LA Opera under the baton of James Conlon. She is the recipient of the prestigious Los Angeles Music Center’s Spotlight Award. More information can be found on Golda Zahra on her website: https://www. goldazahra.com
Golden Ager Series 2024
Santa Monica Homeopathic Pharmacy Continues Decades-Long Legacy
Rise in Illnesses Causes More People to Seek Alternative Medicine
By Susan Payne
One of the oldest family-owned pharmacies, or “best kept secrets,” in Santa Monica is celebrating 80 years in business this year, bringing holistic health to the forefront of the city.
Founded in 1944, Santa Monica Homeopathic Pharmacy — a team of homeopaths, nutritionists, herbalists and pharmacists — is a small family business with the same values instilled since the World War II era: placing people before profits and integrity before income.
As a leader in natural remedies and holistic healthcare, current owner Steven Litvak continues this dedication to existing and new patrons in upholding this 80-year-old legacy.
“Part of our success is the change in our business model we’ve implemented over the last three decades. We don’t do drugs anymore, we focus on real health issues that doctors and insurance companies seem to ignore,” Litvak said. “In the last few years, a lot has changed, and more and more people are experiencing illness.”
Since 2021, Litvak said his team has noticed an uptick in illnesses, not pardoned by age: blood clotting, advanced autoimmune conditions, rashes from head to toe, enormous amounts of fatigue, heart palpitations, unresolved thyroid problems, unresolved diabetes, cognitive issues, mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, and more.
“Our goal when someone comes to us for help is to suggest other labs for their doctor to order, and get people clinically diagnosed. A clinical diagnosis is a way of saying you most likely have this problem, so the doctor can do whatever it takes surgically or with drugs, to solve the problem,” Litvak said.
“We do our best to find solutions that don’t require surgery or drugs unless the
situation warrants it — if the drug will help, is safe, and doesn’t carry a lot of side effects, it might be the way to go, but we do our best to stay as far away from drugs as possible,” he added.
Alternative medicine and homeopathic remedies have become more of a staple in household homes, but many people do not know that remedies outside of pharmaceutical drugs exist. As more and more people have seen their health decline in recent years, are unable to work anymore or leave their home, Litvak said the upward trend in recent illness since 2021 is concerning but they believe the cause is known.
“We carry supplemental formulas that are designed for specific diseases, complex formulas with unique ingredients. We’re not a health foods store or a co-op, we are more like a clinic that doesn’t charge by the hour, take appointments or do phone consultations,” Litvak said. “We just want people to feel better.”
Santa Monica Homeopathic Pharmacy invites people who are experiencing health issues to walk through the doors
and visit any of the board-certified staff. Collectively, the staff holds over 200 years of clinical knowledge in modern and alternative medicine, striving to maintain best practices from research and studies on alternative and integrative medicine. Virtual consultations may be available soon.
For more information about Santa Monica Homeopathic Pharmacy, visit SMHomeopathic.com. The pharmacy is located at 629 Broadway in Santa Monica, California, 90401. The business is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Sundays.
Don’t let health concerns limit or dictate your life. We support doctors by finding real solutions, not cover-ups. A place anyone can come to find reliable information from our healthcare professionals, and it’s all complimentary.
Organic Real Healthy Foods and Snacks.
Professional Nutritional supplements for most health problems.
Family Owned and Operated since 1944
Just walk in, no appointment necessary. Some questions can be answered by email. In today’s world we are very much aware of what could be causing your health problems.
In Your Time of Need, Woodlawn Cemetery is Available
By Susan Payne
For over 125 years, Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum & Mortuary, wholly owned and operated by the city of Santa Monica, has served the community as one of the few municipally owned cemeteries and mortuaries in the United States.
For most people, the choice of final resting is incredibly personal, but Woodlawn’s caring and compassionate staff are available to assist you during the most difficult circumstances.
Woodlawn offers traditional burial and green burial plots, crypts, cremation niches and cremation graves. Service options can involve burials, cremations, viewings, funerals, and memorial services.
“Our caring staff will help you find the most meaningful resting place,” said Adam Lopez, Woodlawn’s Cemetery Administrator.
Much of the services at Woodlawn involves helping family and loved ones recognize and honor those who have passed on. Many look for personal ways to remember their loved ones.
“We invite you to visit this beautiful setting and tour our facilities. We think
you will agree that Woodlawn is a pleasant place to rest, reflect and celebrate life,” said Lopez.
In 2015, Woodlawn was officially designated a Monarch butterfly habitat by Monarch Watch, the leading conservation organization for the endangered butterfly. 2016, Woodlawn became one of the three cemeteries in Southern California to offer green/natural burial upon the addition of Eternal Meadow, designed with beautiful California-native wildflowers, plants and grasses.
In keeping with the City of Santa Monica’s commitment to sustainability and the environment, Eternal Meadow offers families an eco-friendly burial option. Green burials minimize environmental damage because no toxic chemicals, metals or cement vaults are used. Green burial uses a simple wooden casket or an organic shroud with carrier. Cremated remains are placed in biodegradable urns.
“Green burials hasten the return of the body to the earth while simultaneously providing nourishment to the plant life around it. It is a meaningful way to honor the life of a loved one,” Lopez said.
Planning a form of tribute for a loved
one is an important step toward healing. If a death has occurred while not under the care of a medical or hospice professional, Woodlawn recommends dialing 911 if police or paramedics are not present. Woodlawn can be reached at 310-4588717 ext. 1 for arrangements to pick up your loved one and guide you through the funeral planning process. Woodlawn also helps families make pre-planned arrangements for funeral services.
“Making arrangements, whether preneed or in a time of need can be difficult. Woodlawn’s staff is compassionate, knowledgeable, and respectful, so we can ensure to handle all arrangements in a way to honor loved ones that have passed,” Lopez added.
“We like to be transparent with our prices. We are required to have our mortuary’s General price List posted on our website, but we decided to go one step further and have a Comprehensive Price List that
has all the fees listed for the Cemetery and Mortuary,” Lopez said. Woodlawn lists a general and comprehensive list of prices at www.santamonica.gov/places/ cityfacilities/woodlawn-cemetery.
Woodlawn is the final resting place of more than 54,000 people including nationally known persons such as astronaut Sally Ride, cosmetics guru Merle Norman, and political activist and former California State Senator Tom Hayden. Some of the top Hollywood actors resting at Woodlawn include Glenn Ford (Superman, The Big Heat, and The Blackboard Jungle); Irene Ryan (The Beverly Hillbillies); Harvey Korman (The Carol Burnett Show); Barbara Billingsley (Leave It to Beaver); Hal Smith (The Andy Griffith Show); Ted Bessell (That Girl); Doug McClure (The Virginians); and Paul Henreid (Casablanca).
For more information, visit santamonica. gov or email woodlawn.cemetery@ santamonica.gov.
Green burial is a form of interment designed to have minimal environmental impact, especially when compared to traditional burial methods. With this process, burials are performed using a a simple wooden casket or a shroud made of organic fabric. No cement vaults are used, and no embalming chemicals that contain hazardous products such as formaldehyde are used.
Eternal Meadow is the section of Woodlawn Cemetery devoted exclusively to green burial. It is a naturalistic wildflower meadow garden featuring diverse grasses and wildflowers native to California that display a natural cycle of flowering, degeneration, and re-seeding throughout the year. The plants selected also promote the presence of native birds and pollinator insects, including the endangered Monarch butterfly.
www.woodlawnsm.com
Each year, traditional burials place hundreds of thousands of gallons of toxic embalming fluid and millions of pounds of metal and concrete into the earth for perpetuity. Rather than add more imperishable waste to the environment, green burial nurtures the natural growth cycles of the Meadow and fosters a greater union with nature. It offers an eco -friendly process to return our bodies to the earth and a meaningful way to honor the life of a loved one. Contact our office for more information.
LA’s First Ninja Warrior Training Facility Opening Soon in Los Angeles
Facility to Offer Comprehensive Training Programs for All Ages
By Susan Payne
The first dedicated ninja warrior obstacle training facility in Los Angeles is set to open at the beginning of August in Culver City.
The Los Angeles Ninja Academy will teach ninjas of all levels how to conquer uniquely designed, challenging, and exciting ninja warrior obstacles that mimic those on the popular NBC television show, American Ninja Warrior. The state-of-theart 7,000-square-foot facility will have a soft opening on Friday, August 3.
Facility owner Madelyn Scarpulla who owns and operates two other successful locations, New York City Ninja Academy and Brooklyn Ninja Academy, is bringing her sophisticated ninja training program
to the West Coast, open for all experience levels, ages six and up.
“I’m thrilled to bring the first World Ninja League-sanctioned ninja training facility to Los Angeles, and I’m looking forward to creating another welcoming and supportive community of athletes to the sport of ninja warrior,” Scarpulla said.
Leading the charge is Coach Daniella Blanchard, who made an appearance on season 16 of American Ninja Warrior. Blanchard currently holds the #1 Adult Female World Champion and Strongest Ninja titles (among other medals) in the World Ninja League Season IX Championships. She also took first place in the both the Northeast and New England Regional Championships.
Blanchard has been coaching kids and adults in the sport of ninja for over three years in New York. Now, she’s excited to bring her passion for the sport to the West Coast.
Los Angeles Ninja Academy offers kids programs for ages 6-12 after school and on weekends, training for teens and adults, advanced sessions to prepare athletes interested in competition, as well as private lessons, corporate team building events, and kids’ birthday parties on weekends. Special guest ninja coaches, including American Ninja Warrior veterans, will make appearances for private advanced training,
as well.
Ninjas learn new skills and techniques for climbing, swinging, agility, balance, strength, and, of course, the iconic Warped Wall. Obstacles rotate each week, so ninjas are challenged in new ways every time they visit. Participants will eventually tackle obstacles with increasing difficulty and will learn strategies to conquer an entire obstacle course. Ninja warrior training is a thrilling physical and mental challenge and an innovative approach to setting, achieving, and surpassing fitness and mental goals.
“In New York, we’ve always had to travel an hour out of the way to train in facilities, so that’s what really inspired me to open a facility close to the city center. The more I researched, I realized there’s even fewer places in Los Angeles to train ninja, and that’s what inspired the expansion to the West Coast. I’m heavily involved in the World Ninja League, and expanding the league’s footprint in Southern California was also part of that decision,” Scarpulla said. In the spirit of inclusivity, on the last Thursday of every month, beginning August 29, LA Ninja Academy is hosting Queen Ninja Nights. For more information about the Academy’s upcoming announcements or to register for classes, visit LANinjas.com.
The Sandwich Generation: Caring
For Your Family and Your Parents Safeguard
your parents’ independence and choose Safely
Home Again
Institutional care can be expensive.
While that is an option for some, studies have found that over 90% of people over the age of 65 want to age in place, but 85% of that group has done little to prepare their home for aging.
Safely Home Again, LLC is a small business that assures you and your family has a home that is as hazard free as possible by reducing the risks of falls, slips and trips, and other frequent household accidents so that aging in place is possible for your loved one. Safely Home Again works to provide safety solutions through case management and home and fall safety assessments.
“We help adults maintain their
independence and live worry-free in the comfort of their home,” said Madeline Fry, founder of Safely Home Again. “By implementing and utilizing our diverse range of services, you protect your loved ones, ensuring they maintain their livelihood and autonomy, and decrease their potential for falls in and around the home.”
Raised in Brentwood, Fry has built this company from years of experience in healthcare operations and management and has a wealth of knowledge from navigating nursing home administration and directing assisting living communities.
With a master’s degree in healthcare administration, she has extensive experience as a licensed nursing home administrator and executive director of assisted living communities, never missing a beat for details and the complexities of institutional care.
Safely Home Again’s Home Safety and Fall Assessment Tool is a personalized survey used to examine the living spaces
of your home, or any living quarters that need a safety evaluation. The 240+ point assessment tool, which requires certification to conduct, looks for hazards that exist in and around the living space.
Hazards may include poor outdoor lighting, inadequate wheelchair ramp, unsafe staircases and more. Once the hazards are found, Safely Home Again provides solutions and vendors who can then be available to complete the actual modifications.
“Aging in place starts with hiring the right person, someone who becomes your consultant, advocate and family member,” Fry said. “Someone who can navigate not
only the very complicated medical care systems and provide case management and lifestyle services, but who has the communication and interpersonal skills to work with you and your family.”
Knowing that safety precautions are in place decreases the chance of the middleof-night calls from the emergency room and takes away some of the anxiety that comes with taking care of yourself and your loved ones, something that the “sandwich generation” knows all too well, Fry said.
Nearly 47% of adults in their 40s and 50s have a parent aged 65 or older and are either raising young children or financially supporting grown children, according to the Pew Research Center.
As “aging-in-place” becomes more of a trend, it’s important for this generation to know that professional resources are available. Safely Home Again is one of those resources that ensures your loved ones are aging safely — they are worth taking every precaution.
“It’s our turn to take care of them, to turn the tides,” Fry said.
To learn more about Safely Home Again and to schedule a safety assessment, visit SafelyHomeAgain.com.
