Learning Matters

Many Jewish Home employees are recognized as leaders in their field. This not only ensures excellence in the care and services provided to the residents of the Home, but these dedicated professionals frequently share their knowledge, skills, and expertise beyond our campus. They serve as a resource for the community, as collaborators with others involved in long-term care, and as promoters for change and innovation in health care.

March 2011

Research director leads panel discussion on healthy brain aging

Dr. Janice Schwartz, director of the Jewish Home of San Francisco Center for Research on Aging, moderated a panel titled Healthy Brain Aging: What People of all Ages Need to Know on February 28. Sponsored by the Business Leadership Council of the San Francisco-based Jewish Community Federation, the panel addressed genetics, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Attendees learned about the latest research on recognizing the problems associated with one’s aging brain, as well as remedies to treat the symptoms. Speakers included Dr. Adam Boxer, associate professor of neurology at UCSF; Gregory Tranah, a scientist at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute; and Dr. Kristine Yaffe, chief of geriatric psychiatry and director of the Memory Disorders Clinic at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

February 2011

CFO to serve on advisory board of CHA’s newly created center

Kevin Potter, chief financial officer, has been invited to continue serving as a member of the advisory board of the newly created California Hospital Association’s Center for Post-Acute Care. Kevin’s appointment for an additional term of three years (continuing through December 2014) is the direct result of the significant contributions he has made during his service on the advisory board of Hospital Services for Continuing Care.

The Center for Post-Acute Care was created to provide improved support and advocacy for CHA membership in the context of healthcare reform and the changing healthcare delivery system. The new Center will foster communication and collaboration among and between levels of care, and will provide representation for providers throughout the post-acute care continuum.

The power to donate life

Did you know that one person can save and help up to 60 lives through organ, eye and tissue donation? Or that most health conditions do not prevent organ and tissue donation, and age is not a factor?

Laura Cellini of the California Transplant Donor Network (CTDN) provided these facts and more when she presented an in-service on January 17. CTDN coordinates organ and tissue recovery and distribution, and educates healthcare professionals and the public about the importance of organ and tissue donation, and the success of transplantation.

Registering to become an organ and tissue donor is simple. You can simply check the registration box to be a donor when you apply for or renew your driver’s license or state identification card, or you can register online at https://register.donatelifecalifornia.org/register/

How to fundraise in trying times gets explained by gift planning officer

Senior development & gift planning officer Daniel Hoebeke was the keynote presenter at Silicon Valley Planned Giving Council’s event in San Jose on February 1. Addressing attendees on The End of Planned Giving as We Know It (Fundraising in Trying Times), Daniel noted that “charitable estate tax benefits have virtually disappeared from the tax code and murmurs continue about limiting itemized deductions. So what is a gift planner to do? Two things: encourage giving from a different part of the tax return, and recognize that although philanthropy often goes hand in hand with tax savings, the two of them are not in a ‘committed relationship.’”

Mount Zion Health Fund’s board tours the Home

The Jewish Home was both the site and the source of updates when it hosted a tour and meeting space for Mount Zion Health Fund’s board members on January 25.

Long-standing supporters of the Jewish Home, Mount Zion Health Fund has given grants to, amongst others, help modernize our pharmacy; the funding of Russian/English translators; continuing education for our nursing staff; support the Home’s department of Jewish Life; our 2006/2007 comprehensive campaign; the Rosenberg Family Center’s cardiology clinic; our site master plan initiative; and the renovation of our rehabilitation center.

With the aim of seeing firsthand and learning about the present and future outcomes of their generosity, MZHF’s tour included a meeting with Rabbi Shelly Marder, director of our department of Jewish Life, and Jim Weslow, director of Rehabilitation Services, and concluded with an update by president & CEO Daniel Ruth.

Federation’s board brought up to date

Continuing in the spirit of hosting agencies, we had the pleasure of welcoming board members of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund (likewise long-standing Jewish Home supporters) on January 26, when they, too, held their board meeting on our campus. Their meeting agenda included Daniel Ruth providing an update about the Jewish Home and Jewish Senior Living Group.

Two elders reading in the galleria at the Jewish Home

Independent Charities of America (ICA) represents charities that meet the highest standards of public accountability and program effectiveness, and facilitates gifts to those charities from contributors. Independent Charities Seal of Excellence is awarded to the members of ICA and Local Independent Charities of America that have, upon rigorous independent review, been able to certify, document, and demonstrate on an annual basis that they meet the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness.

GuideStar is one of the most prominent national organizations that offers current, comprehensive information about nonprofits. GuideStar Exchange connects nonprofits with current and potential supporters, and allows nonprofits to share a wealth of up-to-date information with GuideStar's on-line audience of grant makers and individual donors.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' agency that ensures effective, up-to-date healthcare coverage and promotes quality care for beneficiaries. Star ratings are achieved by CMS combining data from the most recent annual survey by the Department of Public Health, from nursing home staffing, and from quality measures.