Mountain View, CA – Seniors remain the fastest growing age group in the U.S. and by 2030, Santa Clara County estimates that more than a quarter of all residents will be 60 or older.
The El Camino Healthcare District and El Camino Health have made a substantial commitment to the well-being of older adults by investing in programs and initiatives that help seniors stay active for as long as possible. In the current year, the two organizations committed almost $1 million to support senior programs in Santa Clara County, with the bulk of that – almost $800,000 – coming from the El Camino Healthcare District.
"Navigating the U.S. healthcare system can be challenging for older adults, especially those individuals experiencing vulnerability," said George Ting, M.D., chair of the El Camino Healthcare District Board of Directors. "Because of this, our grant-making supports many important programs that address health disparities among seniors. The mission of the board is to maintain and improve the mental and physical health of our community."
Two of these agencies include the Chinese Health Initiative and the Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center.
The Chinese Health Initiative (CHI) offers programs that promote awareness and prevention of health conditions that affect the Chinese population, and the grant helps support its culturally and linguistically competent hypertension and diabetes screening events and education programs, provided in partnership with senior centers, libraries, various community organizations and virtually.
The grant also supports the publication of CHI's Senior Health Resource Guide, a popular bilingual handbook that includes useful health information and resources on myriad topics, everything from selecting a physician and when to go to the emergency room, to preventing hypertension and insurance coverage. More than 13,000 digital and hard copies have been distributed.
"The guide demonstrated the strong collaboration between Chinese physicians and leaders in the Chinese community who understand the needs of the seniors," said Jean Yu, CHI manager. "The bilingual handbook is designed for seniors as well as their families and caregivers to promote open conversations about health and access to resources in the community."
Since 1976, the Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center in Mountain View has helped seniors and their caregivers. Grant funding from the El Camino Healthcare District supports Avenidas' adult day health program, which sees more than 100 participants a day and provides a safe, therapeutic and supportive environment for older adults with cognitive and physical challenges.
The program accommodates both a licensed, non-medical program for adults who can no longer structure their own daily activities or be left alone; and a licensed medical program for adults with physical or mental impairments who benefit from additional care.
"With the over-60 population in Santa Clara County expected to grow more than 200 percent in the next 40 years, elder care services are needed now more than ever," said Amy Yotopoulos, president and CEO of Avenidas. "We are grateful for the support of the El Camino Healthcare District, which aligns with our mission of helping older adults be as active, engaged and healthy as possible."
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The El Camino Hospital District was established by voter approval in 1956 in accordance with The El Camino Hospital District was established by voter approval in 1956 in accordance with California Local Hospital District Law. The purpose of the district is to establish, maintain and operate or provide assistance in the operation of health facilities and other health care services, provider groups and organizations that are necessary for the maintenance of good physical and mental health in the communities served by the district. The district, now known as El Camino Healthcare District, encompasses most of Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, a large portion of Sunnyvale, and small sections of Cupertino, Santa Clara, and Palo Alto. The publicly elected El Camino Healthcare District Board of Directors approves tax dollar expenditures, including expenditures for the award-winning Community Benefit program. Community Benefit funds are granted each year to local nonprofits, schools and government programs that provide critical health services to the underserved. All district board meetings are publicly noticed, open to the public, and available for viewing on the district website.
El Camino Health has served the communities of Santa Clara County for more than 60 years, with nationally recognized physicians and nurses at two not-for-profit acute care hospitals in Los Gatos and Mountain View, and primary care, multi-specialty care, and urgent care locations across the region. El Camino Health is dedicated to giving patients high-quality care utilizing the most advanced technology and research, delivering results first and respect always.
Aside from achieving outstanding patient outcomes, the hospitals have earned numerous awards for clinical excellence, including being named one of the World's Best Hospitals 2023 by Newsweek and becoming the San Francisco Bay Area's first Magnet hospital, earning four consecutive designations from the American Nurses Credentialing Center for nursing excellence.
Key service lines include cancer care, cardiovascular care, maternity care, mental health and addiction services, orthopedics, pulmonology, urology, and women's health. Visit elcaminohealth.org to learn more.