The new school year ushers in exciting opportunities for students to learn about their world. This year, KHEIR is working with local schools to provide educational opportunities for the parents to learn about their children’s health as well, with the curriculum focusing on their children’s health. KHEIR recently sat down with principals and faculty at several elementary schools in the area and realized that families needed more information to make healthy choices for their children. To address this need, KHEIR will collaborate with the schools to bring a series of workshops for parents. The workshops will be held either at the parent centers in each school or at the KHEIR clinic, and the topics will include vaccinations, nutrition, exercise, head lice prevention and treatment, skincare and more.

On Sept. 26, KHEIR launched the series of workshops with a back-to-school event for the parents at the clinic. At this event, parents were able to meet with the KHEIR doctors, Dr. Gonzalez and Dr. Bak, and learn about the importance of keeping up with their children’s vaccinations. 

KHEIR is also focusing on the ever-growing need for parent education on other serious issues such as autism and other related disorders that may afflict families. Oftentimes, families do not have anywhere to turn for answers, so KHEIR is also working on specific workshops that focus on autism, Asperger’s syndrome and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

KHEIR’s clinic is currently offering low cost immunizations, head-to-toe physical exams, vision and hearing screening and more. To make an appointment, call the KHEIR-S. Mark Taper Foundation Community Clinic at (213) 637-1070.

Alzheimer’s Association Award

On Sept. 6, the Alzheimer’s Association recognized and honored the KHEIR Center for its outstanding and innovative service delivery as a partner of the Asian American Dementia Care Network. The Alzheimer’s Association seeks to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

KHEIR currently operates two Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) Centers. KHEIR’s ADHC program allows families to postpone enrolling their loved one in a nursing home by providing daily medical and mental health care in an outpatient setting. KHEIR’s approach to adult day health care is a comprehensive health model that provides a full range of therapeutic health care services in a comfortable, safe and supervised environment. Approximately 270 community participants are enrolled in the ADHC Centers and approximately 51,600 service visits are provided annually. Preventive health care and health maintenance programs encompass medical and nursing services, personal care assistance and education, recreational activities, nutritional counseling and education and a culturally-tailored meal program.

Caregivers of the participants of the ADHC program are also able to meet at caregiver support group meetings at the KHEIR Center. They are able to discuss issues of dementia that they face when caring for their loved ones.