CEI Opens New Healthcare Clinic and Day Center in San Leandro, for Alameda Seniors

Grand Opening of San Leandro PACE Center Clinic

Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly Expands in Alameda

With the opening of its new, state-of the-art PACE Center in San Leandro, Center for Elders’ Independence will be meeting the need for healthcare and comprehensive day center services for seniors living in central Alameda County.

New Geriatric Medical Clinic

The new facility, located at 1850 Fairway Drive, will provide a geriatric medical clinic and comprehensive day center services, with the capacity to serve 500 seniors from San Leandro, Hayward, East Oakland, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, and neighboring communities. Currently, CEI serves 140 participants who reside in central Alameda County at its Oakland site. Now these seniors will be able to receive care closer to home.

“In Alameda County, one in five residents are projected to be 65 years and older by 2030,” said Linda Trowbridge, CEO, Center for Elders’ Independence. “As the population rapidly ages, demand is growing for our holistic model of care that provides solutions for seniors who have multiple health challenges. When seniors have transportation, home care, healthy food, a place to exercise safely, new friends and social activities – all robustly coordinated with excellent medical care – their lives really do get better,” added Trowbridge.

Now in its 35th year, CEI helps at-risk seniors live at home, rather than in nursing homes, through its national senior health plan known as PACE (the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly). Although every senior enrolled in PACE meets the requirements for nursing home care, 96 percent of CEI participants continue to live and thrive in their communities.

Designed With Seniors For Seniors

According to Trowbridge, the new center will provide central Alameda County seniors with a greater choice for quality care.

“We designed it with many special features based on input from our participants. They wanted a welcoming coffee lounge where they could socialize with friends, and they asked to have “tranquility rooms” so they could enjoy a quiet space. Both suggestions have been included in the new Center,” added Trowbridge.

The 15,500 square foot center also features a state-of-the-art geriatric clinic with six exam rooms for medical and mental health services; an ultra-modern fitness gym for rehabilitation and group exercise; a group activity center, with break out spaces and a computer lab, an outdoor courtyard, and private family meeting rooms.

Among the innovative features of the new center area restaurant-like dining room with culturally appealing food choices, and a demonstration kitchen that enables seniors to be involved in healthy food preparation. Michelle Taylor Lagunas, who brings 19 years of experience working with seniors and disabled adults throughout the East Bay, will serve as Center Director.

Grand Opening on November 16, 2017

CEI celebrated the new San Leandro PACE Center at a community open house on November 16. Speakers included Linda Trowbridge, Michael Smart, Board Chair, Center for Elders’ Independence, and San Leandro Mayor Pauline Cutter.

“We’re thrilled to welcome CEI’s outstanding new facility to San Leandro,” said Mayor Cutter. “Since our last adult day center closed several years ago, it has been challenging to meet the need for senior services in our community. Growing demands on limited resources make organizations like CEI more essential than ever. We appreciate that CEI brings years of experience, and dedication to high-quality care for San Leandro’s growing senior population,” added Mayor Cutter.

When the San Leandro Center begins providing services, eligible seniors will have the opportunity to enroll in CEI’s comprehensive PACE health plan. PACE services are reimbursed by both Medicare and Medi-Cal. In Spring 2018, CEI plans to offer eligible seniors adult day health care services as a stand-alone option.

Donors and Partners Make it Possible

CEI is grateful to all the donors who helped make the new center possible, including Anne G. Bookin, Eden Health District, HEDCO Foundation, The Joseph and Vera Long Foundation and a San Francisco-based foundation that wishes to remain anonymous.