Center for Elders' Independence

A Black Elder in the East Bay Remembers Healthcare Struggles For the last few days in February, for Black History month, we share the memories of Mr. John Moore, a current participant at our PACE center in Berkeley, California. Remembering the struggle...Continue reading

Center for Elders' Independence staff members talk about the importance of black history and their personal experiences. This collection of reflections tells its own powerful story. This is presented by CEI's JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Council.

The new Concord PACE location is almost ready!

We are excited to announce that Maria Zamora will join the Center for Elders’ Independence in March as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Zamora holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Webster University in St. Louis, MO, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Accounting from the University of Phoenix. Maria brings more than 24 years of experience in the healthcare and insurance industries and has executive management experience in for-profit and not-for-profi...t organizations. Maria’s commitment to the national PACE model of care (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly), used by CEI to serve its senior participants, will help Maria guide CEI through its next phase of expansion and innovation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Maria said recently, PACE is a spectacular, comprehensive health model for vulnerable older adults. I'm overjoyed to be continuing my career with Center for Elders’ Independence and look forward to helping the organization grow and provide access to critical services for more seniors in the East Bay. Prior to joining CEI, Zamora served as Vice President of Senior Care Services/PACE at AltaMed Health Services, Inc., and she also was the Regional Executive Director for InnovAge. Zamora has cultivated strong community relationships related to her expertise in health care and senior services. She is Chair and Executive Committee member of the Board of Directors for National PACE Association (NPA). She also serves as Treasurer and Executive Committee member of the Board of Directors for California PACE Association (CalPACE). #CalPACE #CEIcares

Staying active at home during a pandemic can be challenging. Center for Elders’ Independence supports our participants with activity and craft supplies to keep them creative. Look at their creativity! #safeathome #CEIcares *royalty-free music by bensounds.com

Look what is happening in Concord! We should open our new PACE location in April if all goes according to plan. The wonderful Emily Hoshida is the new site director. Stay tuned!

Merriest of Holidays from our Downtown Oakland PACE Center!!!

San Leandro PACE bring in the holidays with ugly sweaters! Happy Holidays! Please remember to be safe and follow CDC guidelineswear your mask, wash your hands consistently, and stay safe at home for virtual gatherings.

We are hiring! Give yourself a great gift this holiday by applying for a wonderful position at Center for Elders' Independence. This gift will keep on giving and giving and giving well beyond the holidays. Watch and hear why...

Do you know how PACE started? 2 people changed the lives of thousands. From little acorns grow mighty oaks. We celebrate National PACE month with a lighthearted look through time. #NationalPACEmonth #CEIcares... National PACE Association CalPACE Calpace On Lok Lifeways

We respect, value and care for community elders. Our goal is that East Bay elders can age gracefully in their own homes. We do this with expertise and caring. We are blessed with incredible commitment from a talented team. Collaboration with other dedicated organizations - in senior housing, faith communities, health and social services - is critical to supporting elders. We bow deeply to everyone with us on the front lines. Please join us in celebrating National PACE Month.... Raise awareness by sharing this video with your friends. #CEIcares #NationalPACEMonth CalPACE National PACE Association

Want to connect a senior to the internet and train them to use an iPad? Your $350 donation let’s us connect a senior and give them 6 weeks of 1-on-1 training and an iPad. You’ll be giving an elder access to friends, family, doctors, games and virtual activities. Keep an elder socially connected with your gift. Our goal is to connect 250 more seniors by December 31.... To donate, click here: https://bit.ly/2K60k1l #CEIcares #seniorcare #technology

September is National PACE month. We look ahead to serving more elders, and look back at where it started. #CEIcares #NationalPACEmonth #California CalPACE On Lok Lifeways Los Angeles Jewish Home WelbeHealth St. Paul's PACE San Diego CalOptima Gary and Mary West PACE San Ysidro Health National PACE Association

Help a family member with dementia during this pandemic. Tips and advice to improve their life and yours. Inside the free e-book: o Fight boredom... o More sunshine o Better communication o Confusion or symptoms? o Hand-washing problems o Mask wearing - how? o Home care aides o Dealing with nursing homes o Taking care of your health o What to do if you get sick From Center for Elders' Independence, specialists in senior health. Download the eBook for your phone or computer. Click here: https://elders.lpages.co/lp-dem-cov-ebook/ #CEIcares

What's the benefit of great preventive care? Fewer trips to the emergency room, and fewer trips to the hospital. How does PACE do it? Our team members work together, so "the left hand knows what the right hand is doing." ... Home care aides are certified nurse assistants. Van drivers are trained to look for emotional or medical "red flags." Doctors and nurses and therapists specialize in seniors. Only seniors. Care for the whole person, including spiritual care. Learn about our great team work at https://cei.elders.org/life-with-cei Center for Elders' Independence. We are your local PACE Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly = PACE #CEIcares #CalPACE #NationalPACEmonth Source for statistics is National PACE Association. Full infographic and references here: https://www.npaonline.org//4052_Aug2020_infographic_combin

CEI has helped me tremendously. I don’t think I would have survived if it hadn’t been for CEI. I feel so lucky that I can pick up the phone and speak to Mom’s case manager or her doctor." Our family is very grateful for all that CEI has done.... CEI has been a Lifesaver. They have daily programs where mom can sing, which she loves to do." [Programs now on Zoom and phone] Caring for a parent is an honor and a privilege. We work with you to keep your loved one supported at home. Be the best caregiver you can be. With our support, you can can go back to being a daughter, a son. Learn how we help families: https://cei.elders.org/caregiver-program/ #CEICares #NationalPACEmonth #CalPACE #PACE

9 out of 10 participants would recommend their friends and family join Center for Elders' Independence. We are part of a nationwide network of PACE -- total healthcare, everything included, plus social time and medical transportation. PACE exclusively serves people 55 and better who are now most at risk in the pandemic.... PACE is healthcare the way it should be for everyone. #CEIcares #CalPACE #PACE #NationalPACEmonth

Is a social bubble right for you? Do you know how to create one, and how to stay safe? We answer 30 questions to help you decide what's best for you and your family. Click here to receive the e-book via email: https://elders.lpages.co/social-bubble-mask-v1/

September is National PACE month! There are 264 PACE centers in 31 states across the U.S. serving those who are most vulnerable during this pandemic. CEI is proud to be a PACE program. We will be posting more about PACE throughout the month. Happy PACE Month everyone. #CalPACE

Ms.Thelma is wishing her friends good things as they stay safe at home. She sings a song and recites a poem especially for her friends and staff at Center for Elders' Independence. Ms. Thelma’s Poem: "With dedication and love, bearing the weight of all our needs... You’re there always in danger offering yourselves in perfect deed. We are here to offer prayer not saying but of heart. We are all with you until you call us and every service you impart. Thank you. All of you. And God bless you all." We've providing more health care at home now, plus rides to the clinics, home care, and delivering meals, medications and medical equipment. Learn at https://cei.elders.org

Mrs. P says "I find a blessing in every day, this is what makes me smile!" What makes you smile? Tell us how you find your smile!

I feel like CEI is very concerned for the elderly people like me. I never felt that when I was in China. We don’t drive, he says of himself and his wife, so transportation was very important to us. Before, when I saw my doctor or went to the pharmacy, I had to bike there. It was hard. Now I am picked up and go to see my doctor often. I also like the emergency number because I can reach doctors any time. I used to paint almost every day. Mr. Liu says. I don’t paint as... much as I did before, but I bring my paintings to CEI so I can cheer up other elders. I want to make everyone love their lives, like me. I am so thankful to CEI. And CEI is thankful to Mr. Liu as well. For months now, the San Leandro center has displayed his art. Mr. Liu says it makes him feel welcome in America. Mr. Liu didn’t come to the U.S. until he was 57. He was born and raised in China, during a time of wars intellectuals were not welcome. When his father discovered his son’s artistic talent at a young age, he hired a drawing and painting teacher. His father also sent him to school and Mr. Liu earned his Bachelor’s of Art degree. He was art professor and teacher. This classified him as an intellectual. Many intellectuals were exiled during China's cultural revolution. Like many others, he was exiled to China’s desert in the western frontier in Xinjiang. Living through years of war, famine, and political persecution was difficult, Mr. Liu says. Mr. Liu remained optimistic about life. While in exile, he painted scenes of everyday beauty. The Li River in Guilin, and even places in Africa he’d visited, inspired him to paint. Drawing landscapes earned him his ticket to America. In 1994, an American artist invited him to show his work in San Diego, CA. There, Mr. Liu presented in a bicultural art show called, Double Happiness. His art and perspective on everyday life were well received. The man who helped him get to America also found him a lawyer to help him stay in the States. Soon after, he received his green card and was able to send for his wife and son, who is also an artist and teacher. Painting is what got Mr. Nansheng Liu and his family to America. I draw everyday people, he will tell you. But what got me into CEI was a piece of mail I was so lucky to receive once I was in America. Learn how you can be part of Center for Elders’ Independence click here: https://cei.elders.org