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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of care are offered at the Jewish Home?

There are four levels of in-residence care available: assisted living, residential care, skilled nursing care, and the Lisa and Ernest Auerbach Behavioral Health Center, which provides voluntary in-patient acute psychiatric care. In addition, our Neighborhood Homes program is designed to accommodate those fully capable of independent living; in the Neighborhood Homes, residents enjoy private bedrooms and share common areas.

Applicants for residential care or assisted living should be capable of at least semi-independent living, have independent mobility, and be mentally alert.

Persons needing assistance with mobility, or who require physical assistance with activities of daily living and social activities, will be considered for our skilled nursing facilities. Skilled nursing includes: Alzheimer's care, short-term rehabilitative care, minimal assistance, moderate assistance, and total assistance care.

What kind of medical care does the Jewish Home provide?

The Jewish Home is committed to providing a high quality of health care services for its residents. To provide our residents with easy access to medical care, clinics are located on each of the Home's two campuses. The physicians work hand-in-hand with full-time nurse practitioners offering a seamless integration of care that responds quickly to medical needs.

Residents may choose to receive primary health care either from a physician employed by JHA Geriatrics, Inc. or from a community physician who regularly visits the Home. A list of Jewish Home and community physicians will be provided prior to admission.

Jewish Home primary care physicians and nurse practitioners are specially trained in elder care, and can provide primary medical care. In addition, medical clinics at both campuses of the Jewish Home offer fourteen medical specialties, including cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, urology, podiatry, dental, and radiology to name a few. Specialty consultations are available through the Jewish Home Clinics by referral of the primary physician. In some instances, the primary physician may determine it necessary to refer a resident for diagnostic tests or consultations off-site. Residents who are referred off-site for specialty services are scheduled for appointments through the Jewish Home Clinic and will be provided transportation to their appointment.

During normal working hours (Monday — Friday, 8 AM — 5 PM), the primary physician or Jewish Home nurse practitioners are available to Jewish Home residents for acute and sub-acute problems. After hours and on weekends, the primary physician on-call will be contacted by the Home's nursing staff for emergencies.

When Jewish Home residents require acute hospital care, they are transferred to a hospital with whom the Jewish Home has a transfer relationship, unless their primary care physician prefers another hospital. In an emergency, the resident will be taken to the nearest available and appropriate acute emergency facility.

How long does it take to get into the Jewish Home?

The wait depends on a number of factors. The availability of an appropriate bed and the number of people ahead of the applicant who are waiting for admission are considered. Also, the Admissions Team reviews each applicant's circumstances to determine need for placement.

Does a prospective resident have to "know somebody" or be Jewish to be admitted to the Jewish Home?

No. Admission is based on many factors including the availability of a room at the appropriate level of care, and the ability of the Jewish Home to meet the needs of the applicant.

Admission to the Home is based on need, not ability to pay. We provide shelter and services to both low-income individuals and to those with the means to pay for their own care. We also offer preferential admittance to those who are isolated or in an unsafe environment, those who need any of the Home's specialized programs, and those depending upon Medi-Cal.

The Jewish Home welcomes seniors of all faiths and ethnicities. It is the Home's policy to be open to all who are in need of our services.

Is a donation to the Jewish Home required in order to gain admission to the Home?

No. Making a donation is never a condition of admission to, or of continued stay with, the Jewish Home.

Do prospective residents have to turn over income, property and/or savings to the Jewish Home?

No. Residents may pay for care in one of three ways: Government Assistance Programs, Private Pay or Private Insurance.

1. Government Assistance

We accept Medi-Cal and/or SSI (Supplemental Security Income) for those residents who quality for those programs. To the extent coverage is available, some services may be provided to individuals eligible for the federal Hill-Burton program.

2. Private Pay

  • Inside Resident Trust Account — Residents can elect to have the Jewish Home hold their funds in a resident trust account at the Jewish Home. Charges for care will be debited against this account monthly. Should funds reach public benefit eligibility level while a resident is at the Jewish Home, the Home will assist the resident with the application for benefit(s). At no time is the resident "giving" their money to the Jewish Home; rather, the Home holds the assets the resident has on their behalf. There is no charge for this service.
  • Outside Trust — Residents have the option to pay for all monthly charges for care by placing money in a trust managed by an outside entity or individual. The Jewish Home will bill the trust monthly.
  • Private Billing — If the cost of care is to be paid from the resident's funds, we bill a designated person (i.e., Conservator, Attorney-in-Fact, Trustee, etc.) on a monthly basis. If the cost of care is to be paid by a family member, we send a monthly statement to the family member.

Do prospective residents have to disclose all income and assets?

Yes. All applicants applying to the Home are required to disclose and verify their assets and income.

Do the children of prospective residents have to disclose their income and assets?

No.

Can someone be admitted directly into the Goldenberg•Ziman Special Care Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia?

Yes, subject to availability. The Goldenberg•Ziman Special Care Center is designed to serve those with early to moderate dementia in need of assistance with the activities of daily living. Again, the first priority is given to current residents of the Jewish Home.

Do you have private room accommodations?

Yes. Our Neighborhood Homes, which are designed for those capable of fully independent living, have private bedrooms available for individuals or couples. Private rooms are also available in both residential care and in skilled nursing, based on availability.

What is the Neighborhood Homes program?

Neighborhood Homes are private ranch style homes adjacent to the Jewish Home's Grancell and Eisenberg Villages. The homes have three or four bedrooms, with one resident per room, or one larger room for a couple. Some feature private bathroom facilities. Tenants share living room, dining area and kitchen, as well as patios and outdoor areas. Tenants are responsible for their own transportation, medical and shopping needs. Neighborhood Home tenants do have the option of eating breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Village dining room. They also may opt to make use of the Jewish Home clinics (if not part of an HMO) and participate in the activities and programs of the Home. The Jewish Home offers more than 25,000 programs each year to enrich the body, mind and spirit.

Is the Jewish Home a Kosher facility?

Dietary laws are observed by the Jewish Home; milk and meat are not served at the same time. Some foods are prohibited under the laws of kashrut, including pork and shellfish. Three kosher meals are served daily.

Is the Jewish Home a Smoke-Free facility?

There is no indoor smoking. There are designated outdoor smoking areas. Smoking policies are enforced.

How does the admissions process begin?

As the first step to admission, we encourage all applicants and their families to tour the Jewish Home. This provides a personal feel for the Home and many questions can be answered at that time. The tours are often led by Jewish Home residents providing another opportunity to learn about life at the Home.

Please call the Admissions Center at 818.774.3306 or submit a request via the information form to arrange for a complete tour.