Elder Services Group Expands Into South Bay
Since 1972, On Lok has made quick strides in serving the elderly population. As the only provider of comprehensive nursing home services — physician care, hospitalization, prescription drug, dental, podiatry and more — it is no wonder the demand for OnLok has led to plans for the opening of a center in Santa Clara County.
Celebrating 35 years of services this year, On Lok remains based in San Francisco with nine interdisciplinary teams housed in eight centers — including one located in Fremont to serve the East Bay community. On Lok is a senior housing program that uses the PACE (program of all-inclusive care for the elderly) model, serving individuals who would otherwise be in a nursing home.
“In a nutshell, the On Lok PACE program was designed to keep seniors in their home within their community. There are really no similar services out there,” explained Amy Shin, On Lok’s chief administrative officer. “For example, somebody could get services on their own if they have Medicare; they can probably find home care through other avenues, but there isn’t anybody who provides all services. There are many organizations that do parts of what we do, such as Meals on Wheels, yet we provide meals along with everything else.”
Since On Lok’s programs are reimbursed by Medicare and Medicaid as nursing-home certifiable facilities, seniors must meet basic criteria in order to become enrolled. Seniors often have some type of chronic medical condition, as well as trouble performing at least one or two “activities of daily living,” such as bathing, grooming and dressing.
“On Lok originated when the three immigrant groups — Chinese, Italian and Filipino — in the North Beach area had the need to take care of their elders in a culturally appropriate way,” Shin said. “They did not want to place their elders in nursing homes as that was culturally inappropriate for them.”
To meet this need, On Lok started as a center providing social services, but slowly expanded to medical care and the other services that now make up the program of all-inclusive care — creating a sort of one-stop-shop for all the needs of the elderly. OnLok now serves all areas of San Francisco, as well as all ethnic groups (20 percent of their enrollees are Caucasian).
For example, the center can help elders arrange transportation back and forth between their homes and outside medical center for care.
“On average, seniors come in to our centers 2.5 times per week to see a social worker or a physician, or to have a meal here, do recreational therapy, play games, computer art or just to socialize,” Shin said.
With 1,050 seniors currently enrolled, this is no easy task. But even when seniors are unable to leave home, On Lok is within arms reach.
“Our staff will even go out to people’s homes if necessary — in general, this is the home health nurses or the home care staff,” Shin said.
The group currently has more than 600 staff members, a number that will likely expand with the identified need in Santa Clara County.
“Right now, we are really busy working on most of Santa Clara County,” Shin said. “We are going to cover almost all of the county, with the exception of the southern tip [e.g. Gilroy], but we will be starting in San Jose.”
On Lok hopes to open the new center in the latter half of 2008. For now, they have their hands full conducting community outreach. Much of On Lok’s marketing efforts happen on the grassroots level.
“We work with a lot of senior housing coordinators and case managers throughout the city and county, and referral sources that already work with seniors who can identify those people who really need help,” Shin said. “We are meeting with people who have an interest in serving seniors to let them know that On Lok will soon be arriving.”
On Lok’s Programs and Services
On Lok Lifeways
A comprehensive health plan that provides long-term care for eligible seniors living in San Francisco, Fremont, Newark, and Union City. The program offers full medical care and support services with the goal of helping seniors live at home and in the community for as long as possible.
30th Street Senior Center
The largest multi-purpose senior center in San Francisco, at 225 30th Street, offering a broad range of programs including a senior center, nutrition and congregate meals, home delivered meals and bilingual case management.
On Lok Intergenerational Program
A program that brings together On Lok Lifeways members and children from neighboring childcare centers and elementary schools.
Housing
Three buildings in the northeast section of San Francisco with various types of residential units for older adults.
On Lok Lifeways Centers
San Francisco
30th Street Center
225 30th Street
Serving the Noe Valley, Diamond Heights, Excelsior, Glen Park, St. Mary’s Park and Outer Mission neighborhoods
Mission Street Center
4430 Mission Street
Serving the Mission and Excelsior neighborhoods
Fillmore Center
1426 Fillmore Street, 3rd Floor
Serving the Western Addition neighborhood
Montgomery Center
1000 Montgomery Street
Serving the North Beach, Telegraph Hill and Chinatown neighborhoods
Geary Center
2700 Geary Boulevard
Serving the Richmond and Sunset neighborhoods
Powell Center
1441 Powell Street
Serving the Chinatown and North Beach neighborhoods
Jade Center
1333 Bush Street
Serving the Polk Gulch, South of Market and Japantown neighborhoods. Primary focus is the mono-lingual Chinese population.
Rose Center
1333 Bush Street
Serving the Polk Gulch, South of Market and Japantown neighborhoods
Fremont
Fremont Center
159 Washington Boulevard
Serving the city of Fremont, Newark and Union City.
Enrollment: 1-888-88-ON-LOK (1-888-886-6565)
For Hearing Impaired: TTY 415-292-8898
