GOLDEN AGER 2025
WEST LOS ANGELES
WESTSIDE GOLDEN AGER SERIES 2023
Embracing the Golden Age: Rediscover Joy, Wisdom, and Adventure in West LA!
Where is the Series Distributed?
Get in Front of Over 250,000 West LA Residents!
The Guide is Distributed in BOTH Print and Digital to the following communities; Santa Monica, Paci c Palisades, Brentwood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Culver City, Century City, Westwood, Bel-Air, West Hollywood, West Los Angeles via 7 West LA Media Outlets.
75,000 Email Subscribers
70,000 Print Circulation across 4 publications
180,000+ Unique Web Visitors Every Month across our Digital Network
Reaching Over 500,000 people in the West LA area over a 6 week campaign across 7 local West LA outlets
Avocet Playa Vista: Your New Luxury Retirement Experience
A wealth of high-end amenities, gourmet cuisine, mindbody programs and stimulating cultural events, centered around a luxury lifestyle retirement experience are awaiting at Avocet Playa Vista.
Opened in 2017 by LA Jewish Health, formerly known as Fountainview at Gonda Westside, Avocet Playa Vista features 175 apartment-style residences with sleek, airy designs. The senior living community is uniquely situated as its own urban village within the walkable neighborhood of Playa Vista. The property was purchased in October 2024 by Senior Resource Group (SRG), the Solana Beach based company which now owns and operates Avocet.
A short stroll away from eateries, shops and services, Avocet Playa Vista is a Continuing Care Retirement Community taken to a whole new level — spacious apartment living feature full kitchens, in-suite laundry and balconies from 840 up to 1700 square feet. Robust daily activities for heart pumping exercise, engaging socialization, mind-
stimulating learning plus services such as transportation, dining, housekeeping and maintenance all make for carefree living.
Similar to a resort property, Avocet offers dining, fitness and beauty services, live music, onsite cinema, creative arts, wellness, learning and entertainment for every style and curiosity, curated by a dedicated onsite program director. Aqua fitness, Zumba, Tai Chi, seminars, happy hours, outings to museums, theater and dining are a few examples of the lifestyle at Avocet.
“Our large apartments are desirable among seniors choosing a new home. Often our residents are leaving their once-bustling homes where they’ve raised children and had a full life. But when the time comes that maintaining a home is too taxing or isolation and even loneliness occurs, it’s time to consider options. For most people making this change is emotionally difficult and somewhat overwhelming,” said Laurie Nussbaum, Avocet’s director of sales.
“A lot of people have lost friends as they age, so living in a retirement community is a great way to make new friends and find a sense of community,” Nussbaum said.
Avocet welcomes Los Angeles locals but often see a combination of out-ofstate retirees who want to live closer to children and grandchildren. When a person decides to make the move, the dedicated team at Avocet is there to help navigate the transition, no matter how far they are moving.
“This move is about starting a new chapter and finding joy in daily
experiences. Many people get stuck on details like what furniture will fit into their new apartment and sometimes get frustrated that their couch may be too large, for example. I encourage people to focus on the positive side of moving: living for yourself and not for the furniture, meeting new people and making the most of experiences that await you,” said Nussbaum. “I tell people they are what matters: health and happiness. Those small decision hiccups feel harder than they actually are,” Nussbaum said.
When and if care services are needed, residents can receive these services from
a specially trained staff right on site.
“As a continuing care community, we offer assisted living and memory care services when needed. Our memory care suites are on property for people who can no longer live alone safely and require support from 24/7 nurses and caregivers.,” Nussbaum said.
“Wellness is so important for aging individuals. Our programs are balanced to meet the needs of our residents and encourage them to socialize and stay active,” Nussbaum said.
To learn more about Avocet, visit www.srgseniorliving.com/playa-vistaca-avocet.
SENIOR SUPPORT GROUPS & RESOURCES – WEST LOS ANGELES
WISE & Healthy Aging – Santa Monica
Social programs, peer counseling, caregiver support, senior center services. (310) 394-9871
www.wiseandhealthyaging.org
St. Barnabas Senior Services – West LA
Nutritious meals, classes, caregiver support, tech help, case management. (213) 388-4444 www.sbssla.org
Los Angeles City Senior Centers Free fitness classes, social activities, support groups at locations across LA. (213) 202-2700
www.laparks.org/scc
NAMI Westside Los Angeles
Mental health support groups for seniors and families (Zoom/in-person). (310) 889-7200 www.namiwla.org
Alzheimer’s Los Angeles
Support groups for caregivers and people with early-stage dementia. (844) HELP-ALZ www.alzheimersla.org
Leeza’s Care Connection (Leeza’s Place)
Free programs for caregivers, brain health education, social events.
Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center (Burbank, West LA access) www.leezascareconnection.org
Bet Tzedek Legal Services
Free legal support for seniors: elder abuse, wills, conservatorships. (323) 939-0506
www.bettzedek.org
SCAN Health Plan – Independence at Home
Virtual senior center, care coordination, social support programs. (855) 464-7226
www.scanhealthplan.com
Senior Peer Counseling – Santa Monica Area
Free one-on-one emotional support from trained senior volunteers. (310) 394-9871 ext. 419
www.wiseandhealthyaging.org
Aging Mindfully: Zen-Inspired Senior Living Takes Shape in Simi Valley
Two Zen-inspired senior living communities are embracing the reality of aging — consciously. Ens Õ Village, open since 2023 in Sonoma County, and Ens Õ Verde, now taking shape in a hidden corner of Simi Valley.
These communities — a collaboration of the renowned San Francisco Zen Center and Kendal, a visionary provider of communities, programs and services founded on Quaker values — focus on mindful aging, the joys of nature, environmental stewardship, contemplative care and healthy life choices for adults aged 60 and higher.
Former actor and film producer Susan O’Connell spent a lifetime living, creatively in the film industry, and then intentionally as a Zen Priest and President of the San Francisco Zen Center. Now, in her third professional chapter, she is the visionary behind Ens Õ Verde and Ens Õ Village. Encouraging elders to gracefully and consciously age, she oversees the development of Ens Õ Verde and resides at Ens Õ Village.
Different from conventional retirement communities, Ens Õ Village and Ens Õ Verde provide contemplative spaces for encouraging meditation, acreage to sustain a healthy farmerto-chef-to-consumer relationship, and core programming that promotes mindfulness.
ZEN AND QUAKER VALUES
Based on Quaker and Zen values, both communities encourage residents to explore spirituality, as part of “whole body wellness.” Welcoming diversity, inclusion and belonging, each living community strives to create a safe, nonjudgmental space for individuals to be themselves.
“We say Zen-inspired, not required. We’re setting a baseline emphasis on contemplative practices and mindfulness, but you can go as far in or away as you want. We have a wide variety of people on different spiritual
paths, including no spiritual path,” O’Connell says.
FARM FRESH FOOD
Ens Õ Verde sits on 20 acres of pristine land that’s never been built on — a purchase that O’Connell considered rare to find and in perfect alignment with the values and mission of Ens Õ Verde.
“The beauty of this land, it’s not far from Los Angeles, so you’re not isolated from cultural activities, and you’re immersed in nature. “We insisted on having an area where we actually grow food, so the awareness of the cycle of food and composting and sustainability is very strong here.”
CONTINUUM OF CARE
Both properties offer memory support, assisted living and in-home health services for residents.
“The goal, of course, is to provide high-quality healthcare up through assisted living. We’re a place that supports the continuum of care. You can age in place without necessarily needing to leave where you are for assisted care because of our Residential Care for the Elderly (RCFE) license,” O’Connell says.
WORTH THE INVESTMENT
As people age, the burden to maintain their homes given limited resources and decreasing mobility is heavy. When considering independence versus living in community, the tradeoff is beneficial both socially and financially, O’Connell says.
“Residents essentially sell their homes as an entrance fee, but when you leave the community, or if you pass away, the beneficiaries of your estate will receive 75-80% of the value back. It’s an investment in your health.” O’Connell says.
To learn more about Ens Õ Village in Sonoma County and Ens Õ Verde, coming soon to Simi Valley, visit https:// enso.kendal.org.
Homecare Company Celebrates 14 years of Compassion While Planting New Roots After January Fire
Luxe Homecare, a leading provider of compassionate and reliable inhome care services for seniors has recently announced the opening of its Brentwood office at 11716 San Vicente Boulevard, Suite 240.
While still deeply connected to Palisades, Fay Vahdani, Luxe’s founder, said the new Brentwood office location was a natural extension to provide care for the company’s beloved clients who were displaced after the Palisades fires into the surrounding areas.
“We embrace our new office in Brentwood, since we serve and are familiar with the community. We look forward to continuing our work,” said Fay, reflecting on the last 14 years of care and compassion.
Since 2011, Luxe has earned its reputation as the leading choice and a highly rated homecare and senior driving agency in West LA, offering comprehensive and personalized care solutions for elders.
With the same, small-business centric values that started the company 14 years ago, Luxe offers home care, home health, hospice, senior driving and long term care claim management for seniors, complete with highly trained caregivers and around the clock support.
Since founding Luxe, Fay’s commitment to the community has been deeply rooted in service and resilience, both of which are foundational. Many memories, awards and service opportunities hold a special place in their hearts. They are as follows:
In 2016, Luxe was awarded the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce “Best New Business” award.
In 2017, Fay also earned the “Person of the Year” award and two years after, the “Best Businessperson” award.
Every year, Luxe has participated in the Palisades’ Fourth of July Parade and raised funds for the Alzheimer’s Walk.
After the January Palisades fires, Fay was recognized by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Third District, as a womanowned small business owner continuing to fight, rebuild and serve.
In 2024, Luxe was honored as a recognized business during a special breakfast hosted by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
For families and individuals looking for care, aging with dignity, surrounded by familiarity, personal history and comfort may be a top priority. Compassionate home care services provided by Luxe empowers individual
LA County Library – Older Adults Programs
Free Seniors Tech Club for learning iPhone, basic computing, email, and more. Offers device & laptop loans, LinkedIn Learning, and live tutorials. www.lacountylibrary.org/older-adults
TeachUTech
One-on-one in-person and virtual tech tutoring for seniors. Helps with smartphones, tablets, internet use. www.teachutech.com
Senior Planet Technology Helpline & Cyber-Seniors
Free digital literacy support and Zoom-based classes for older adults. aging.ca.gov/Programs_and_Services/Digital_Inclusion/Digital_ Literacy_Resources
to maintain independence, safeguard their emotional security and sense of self, and thrive in the comfort of their own home.
Through Luxe’s home care, home health, hospice and transportation services, seniors maintain invaluable connections, engage with their local community and enjoy spontaneous visits from family while preserving the social fabric that enriches their daily lives.
Luxe services proactively support crucial bonds, ensuring seniors remain connected to everything and everyone that matters most.
Committed to providing peace of mind management care of elders, Luxe
prioritizes preserving the dignity of aging clients while consistently offering reliable and compassionate support.
Luxe Homecare proudly holds accreditation from the Joint Commission, maintains full licensing, and earns trust from top health agencies, guaranteeing the highest standards of care and professionalism in elder care. Every staff member who works with clients are vetted and fully compliant with the Fair Labor Standards Act, ensuring your loved one receives care from a qualified and ethical team.
To learn more about Luxe Homecare, visit https://luxehomecare.com.
Angeles City Senior Centers (Rec & Parks)
Over 25 locations offering arts & crafts, card games, woodworking, knitting, dance, and language classes. www.laparks.org/scc
Inglewood Senior Center – Clubs & Classes
Activities include sewing, walking club, fitness, painting, knitting, and bingo. www.cityofinglewood.org/790/Activities-Classes-Clubs
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.
Traditional Burial ● Green Burial ● Cremation
Funeral Planning & Mortuary Services
Owned and Operated by the City of Santa Monica for over 125 Years. 1847 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404 phone: (310) 458-8717 (on-call - 24/7) email: woodlawn.cemetery@santamonica.gov website: www.woodlawnsm.com
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. 1847 14th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404 ● (310) 458 -8717
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.
New Beginnings in Brentwood: Dr. Marian Oppenheimer Opens Private Psychology Practice at wellpeople
For more than 30 years, Dr. Marian Oppenheimer has dedicated herself to one clear purpose: helping people heal, grow, and move forward. Now, after a career marked by service, resilience, and deep clinical insight, the seasoned psychologist is opening her own private practice in the heart of Brentwood.
Located within the serene setting of wellpeople Integrative Healing Center on San Vicente Boulevard, Dr. Oppenheimer’s new practice offers personalized mental health care for individuals, couples, and families. Her specialties include trauma, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder — along with a particular focus on helping people recover from crisis and displacement.
That mission isn’t theoretical. Like many in the Los Angeles area, Dr. Oppenheimer was recently forced to relocate after the destructive Palisades fires. The experience, though traumatic, became a turning point.
“I’ve been wanting to start my own practice for a very long time,” she says.
“As a displaced person myself, I’m in a unique position to support others who’ve experienced similar losses and disruptions. I understand what it means to rebuild, from the inside out.”
Dr. Oppenheimer’s new space in Brentwood is more than a traditional therapy office — it’s a sanctuary for those navigating mental health challenges, life transitions, and emotional recovery. With a calm, intuitive presence, she helps clients of all ages understand their emotional patterns, develop coping strategies, and begin the journey back to wholeness.
Her approach is integrative and evidence-based, drawing from multiple modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), humanistic, and psychodynamic therapy. Each client receives a treatment plan tailored to their unique needs, background, and goals.
“It’s not just about symptom relief,” Dr. Oppenheimer explains. “It’s about reconnecting with your core values, healing from past wounds, and building the kind of life you want to live.”
Born and raised in Texas in a multicultural household, Dr. Oppenheimer discovered psychology early on — fascinated by the intricacies of human emotion and behavior. That curiosity blossomed into a lifelong commitment. She holds graduate degrees from Fordham University and The New School for Social Research and earned her PhD in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. Over the years, she’s worked in diverse clinical and academic settings on both coasts, including roles in trauma response, mental health education, and grantbased research on severe mental illness.
Now, in Brentwood, she brings all of that experience home — offering inoffice therapy, Telehealth sessions, and
on a case by case basis, in-home visits for clients in crisis or with mobility challenges. Her practice is rooted in warmth, wisdom, and the belief that recovery is always possible.
“My goal is to walk alongside each person as they navigate their healing. You don’t have to do it alone.”
With her new practice, Dr. Oppenheimer is not only opening a door for others — she’s walking through one herself. A chapter that began with loss now becomes one of hope, grounded in purpose and guided by experience.
To make an appointment, visit www. drmarianoppenheimer.com or call 310487-6883. For questions, Oppenheimer may be reached at drmoppenheimer@ gmail.com.
Dr. Oppenheimer 310-487-6883
Free Consultation drmarianoppenheimer.com
• Over 30 years experience in Psychology
• Adolescents through late adulthood
• Offers Individual and couples therapy
• In office, virtually, or WLA home visits
• Palisades fire informed trauma support, provided by displaced Palisades resident
SENIOR TRANSPORTATION & MEAL SERVICES – WEST LOS ANGELES
Metro On the Move Riders Program
Free travel training and group transit trips for older adults using Metro. accessla.org/other_mobility_resources/ride_ info/west-hollywood
Metro Senior TAP Discount Card
Reduced fare or free rides for seniors 62+. Easy sign-up. www.metro.net/riding/fares/seniors
Access Paratransit Services (Access LA)
Door-to-door rides for qualified seniors and persons with disabilities. www.accessla.org/riding_access/overview. html
LADOT Cityride / Dial-A-Ride
Low-cost taxi and van services for seniors in the City of Los Angeles. www.ladottransit.com/access
Meals on Wheels of West Los Angeles
Hot meal delivery Monday–Friday with wellness check-ins. Serves West LA zip codes. www.mealsonwheelswla.org
LA County Elderly Nutrition Program
Free meals at senior centers and home-delivered meals for homebound older adults. lacounty.gov/residents/older-adults/foodnutrition
Better is robot-assisted spinal surgery that gets you back in the saddle.
To us, helping you get better is everything. So while 2 in 3 spinal patients at Saint John’s can be treated without surgery, every patient gets comprehensive care that’s tailored to their specific needs. In equestrian Stacy Lilien’s case, that happened to be minimally invasive spinal surgery using the ExcelsiusGPS® Robotic Navigation Platform, which allowed her to get back to horseback riding in only 7 weeks. It’s just one of the many ways we treat you for the better.
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