Posts in category: Careers

By Darrick Lam and Jean Shiomoto

2021 began with, as some would say, a shot in the arm as residents and frontline workers at ACC Care Center, Greenhaven Terrace, and Maple Tree Village got their COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccine took less than a year to develop, a fantastic triumph of science and technology, showing what is possible when government, companies, and organizations work together. 

As our community continues to adjust to life with vaccinations and the COVID-19 pandemic, ACC Senior Services is now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. ACC has started putting together a COVID recovery plan on visitation guidelines for in-room, indoor, outdoor, and large indoor communal spaces.

The pandemic has drawn attention to what it means to age in place. This year, ACC will develop a plan to determine which home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) meet the needs of people who want to get person-centered care in their home or community, instead of in an institutional setting. ACC is working on a speaker series to invite experts in HCBS to help ACC and the community learn about these services.  In early March, Jeannee Parker Martin, President & CEO for LeadingAge California, conducted a workshop for our Board members and volunteers on “Trends & Strategies for Home & Community-Based Services.” In early April, we will have a special presentation by the California PACE Association on “The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. We will continue to keep you posted on the speaker series and the development of the plan.  

Even before the pandemic, ACC and Meals on Wheels by ACC recognized people’s desire to maintain their autonomy and independence at home. Today, together, we provide transportation, home nutrition, and referral services to meet their needs, all of which we consider a good start towards planning for HCBS.

In January, Governor Gavin Newsom released California’s Master Plan for Aging (MPA), which Darrick helped develop as a member of the MPA Stakeholder Advisory Committee. The article on page 2 explains the critical features of the state’s 10-year plan.  As part of MPA implementation, Darrick has been appointed to the California MPA Equity In Aging Advisory Committee, which focuses on applying an equity lens thoughtfully and thoroughly to MPA implementation activities and the California Department of Aging’s services and programs, particularly those in response to COVID-19. 

Darrick plays a significant role in planning the American Society on Aging’s Diversity Summit On Aging Annual Conference scheduled in early April. He will serve as the host for a panel featuring Jennie Chin Hansen, RN, Commissioner at Healthy California for All Commission; Professor Fernando Torres-Gil, Ph.D., first Assistant Secretary for Aging at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Administration on Aging; and Percil Stanford, Ph.D., President at Folding Voice LLC. 

We want to take this opportunity to welcome Deborah Kania as the new administrator for ACC Maple Tree Village. Deborah is a Registered Nurse whose career has spanned over 35 years in the health care field, working with seniors in various settings.  Her experience includes skilled nursing, acute hospital, hospice, and PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly).  She was, in fact, the early Director of Nurses at ACC Care Center back in the day! 

In recognition of National Women’s Month, we want to acknowledge the many women of ACC, past and present, who have made many significant contributions and tirelessly work for and on behalf of ACC as Administrators, managers, staff, and supporters.  One is Donna L. Yee, who led ACC for 17 years before her retirement at the end of 2017.  As ACC navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Melanie Segar, ACC’s Chief Operating Officer, and Tamara Kario, ACC’s Care Center Administrator, worked diligently to keep residents and staff safe in all of ACC’s facilities.  As there is not enough space to name everyone, we give a shout out to all the women of ACC

ACC Online Programming has enjoyed a strong run since it began in October 2020. To date, we have live-streamed more than 150 class sessions, workshops, concerts, and community meetings on YouTube, Facebook, and Zoom. We have seen a rise in attendance from people both inside and outside Sacramento! Help us continue to keep our seniors active and engaged by supporting ACC.  To donate, go to accsv.org/donate or contact Thyan Pham at tpham@accsv.org.

Finally, on Thursday, May 6, ACC will host its Big Day of Giving Virtual Telethon. Building on the immense success we had last year, ACC is looking to raise at least $100,000. If you would like to be a supporter or a performer in this year’s event, contact Thyan Pham at tpham@accsv.org.  See you on May 6! 

My parents started their 68 years of married lives apart. My father, Shi Chen (Mark) Chiang, worked in Hong Kong while my mother, Kok Pei Chiang, moved to the United States. Yet, once they were reunited, they were rarely apart, even at ACC Care Center where they both resided.

On February 27, 2021, my mother passed away at the Care Center. My father used his last words to call out for her the next morning and passed away the evening of February 28, just 18 hours after his wife. Their amazing story of being together all the way to the end was made possible by ACC.

After serving on the ACC Board back in the day with some of the “originals” like Chewy Ito and Winston Ashizawa, I was excited to see ACC expanding into the senior independent living market and my parents were one of the first couples to move into ACC Greenhaven Terrace after the facility was purchased in 2007.  I was grateful to have my parents within minutes of my own home.  At the beginning, they were very shy because they were native Cantonese speakers, and their English was limited.  But after a couple of years, as more Cantonese-speaking residents moved to GT, they made many friends and could be seen “high-fiving” others in the Community Room.

Activities were a big part of their lives, especially those that were culturally focused.  I could tell the activities made my parents feel lively and important instead of old and useless.  Although my mom was frail and couldn’t participate in the exercise classes, she enjoyed just being in the room, watching and moving her feet along to the music.  My mom started planting and I could tell she was having fun.  GT-organized birthday celebrations, trips to Red Hawk, hanging out in the mah-jong room visiting with friends, and free coffee were other highlights.  These types of supportive activities are so critical for the elders and really enabled my parents to thrive and flourish during their time at GT.

My parents resided at GT for almost 12 years before moving to the ACC Care Center due to failing health. Their participation in daily activities continued at the Care Center where having employees who speak other languages was essential to their well-being.  I consider it a blessing that my parents were able to be cared for at another ACC facility after being unable to continue safely living on their own.  They spent their final 2 ½ years at the Care Center.

My family, Joe , Gulnara, Brittany, Marshall  and Sophia are so thankful for the wonderful, compassionate care my parents received and all of the happy memories ACC helped to create.

By Tamara Kario, MSN, RN, LNHA
Administrator, ACC Care Center

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, ACC Care Center has been focused on quality care and enhancing our residents, staff, and family members’ experience. These efforts came to fruition when we were granted approval for an innovative proposal: convert 16 apartments at ACC Maple Tree Village (MTV) for skilled nursing services as we braced for what many had called the “twindemic.” 

The Care Center staff developed an in-depth plan to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by grouping and locating residents into three Zones – Red (confirmed COVID-19 cases), Yellow (unknown/known exposure and new admissions), and Green (No COVID or recovered from COVID-19). 

The ability to extend our SNF license to MTV enabled the Care Center to expand the Yellow Zone for residents who may have had an exposure or where the status is unknown. In October, our staff safely and successfully moved 16 residents to the new Care Center Green Zone at MTV. The 16 residents were excited to move into private suites that came with added amenities. Having a team of dedicated staff assigned at MTV has lessened the residents’ transition trauma. We are grateful to the family members of the 16 residents who have continued to work with us. Through collaboration with them, we have continued to address important topics, including the creation of a VIP lounge similar to the one at the Care Center. 

Moving 16 residents to MTV was the first step; the second Herculean step was the internal room moves of 30+ residents at the Care Center. Staff came up with a group called CMP (cleaners, movers, packers), who were assigned to support and assist moving the residents. 

On the day of the internal room moves, we were notified of an ancillary staff member who had tested positive for COVID due to a family exposure. We immediately contacted the local health department to see whether the internal room moves could continue as previously planned. The county confirmed the moves could continue since the individual did not have direct contact with the residents. The internal room moves went smoothly, and the galvanizing effects of hard work from the staff spoke volumes. 

We are especially grateful to the Care Center families who have unequivocally supported our efforts to fiercely care for our residents and staff. With ongoing scrutiny from regulatory agencies and information changing rapidly, we believe we have firmly aligned our mitigation plans with state and federal regulations. 

To date, we have had six COVID-19 focused surveys, including a federal survey. We are encouraged each time the surveyors report that we remain in substantial compliance with our COVID-19 mitigation plans. Furthermore, the Care Center has partnered with CVS to be the facility’s COVID-19 vaccine provider.  More information will be shared as we learn about the vaccine scheduling and administration process. 

As we celebrate the holidays, we echo our appreciation and gratitude to everyone who has continued to support ACC. Thank you for the donations and generosity you continue to show each day. It is because of people like you that we have continued to press on against all odds. 

By Corky Mau

It was a cold, grey day when I sat down to talk to Karen Weisner and Barbara Breisemeister, Illa Collin’s daughters. Illa, a former Sacramento County Supervisor, lived at ACC Care Center for several years and recently moved into the skilled nursing “Green Zone” at ACC Maple Tree Village. 

Illa was elected to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, representing District 2, in 1978. During her 28-year tenure, Illa championed the preservation of Sacramento County’s open space lands. She helped create the Sacramento Tree Foundation and the American River Parkway Foundation. She was instrumental in getting Sacramento’s light rail system established. Former colleagues, including Congresswoman Doris Matsui, describe Illa as “one of Sacramento’s most distinguished citizens and an extraordinary woman.” 

Illa had a great working relationship with ACC’s then President, Chewy Ito. Recalls ACC former Board Chair Winston Ashizawa, “Illa helped clear the way for ACC to use Bingo as a fundraising method. She was deeply interested in the Asian community and always found time to attend ACC fundraisers and other events. It’s just amazing how her friendship with Chewy has come full circle, as both are now residents at ACC Maple Tree Village!”

Illa retired in 2007, but stayed busy with other personal projects, such as volunteering with Rebuilding Together (a nonprofit that helps low-income homeowners with necessary repairs). Her dedication to the Sacramento community is evident as several sites in the region bear her name: the Illa Collin Preserve (Mather Field), Illa Collin Early Learning Center (a Head Start school), and the Illa Collin Park in South Sacramento.

Illa Collin was born January 24, 1932, in Rock Springs, Wyoming. After her father passed away in a mining accident, her mother moved the family to Portland, Oregon. She attended the University of Oregon, where she met her husband, Don. “My mother must have been really smitten, because she broke off her engagement to another fellow, to pursue Dad,” said Karen. 

After graduation, Illa taught school in Portland. Even though Don was involved with the Young Republicans and Illa was a staunch Democrat, theirs is a lifelong love story. They got married on July 12, 1957, in Portland. After their honeymoon, the couple moved to California. Don attended law school at Cal Berkeley, and Illa taught school in Piedmont. They raised their three young daughters (Karen, Anne, and Barbara) in Berkeley, Oakland and El Sobrante before settling down in Sacramento in 1968. 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the family’s “fourth daughter,” Clarabelle, the family cat. Illa found Clarabelle, then a flea-ridden kitten, in a park after leaving a business meeting. The cat still holds a special place in Illa’s heart. Clarabelle lived a long (18 years), happy life with the Collin family.

It was clear from the family photo albums that Illa was the consummate community volunteer – from school PTAs, Girl Scouts, to local politics. She worked on several local political campaigns. She was active in the Women’s Movement and from 1973-1975, led the League of Women Voters in Sacramento. She strived to improve social service programs, especially to underserved areas of the county, before her stint as a County Supervisor.

Both Don and Illa had busy work and community meeting schedules. There were many times that they forgot to pick up their daughters from school. “We often tell people that we were the original latch-key kids…without the key,” said Barbara. The sisters erupted in loud laughter as they recalled, “When we got older and could walk home by ourselves, we’d wait in the garage for mom or dad to come home. Thank goodness there was a bathroom in the garage!”

Even though Illa was busy with her civic duties, she carved out time for her daughters. She planned their birthday parties and sewed all of their holiday outfits and Halloween costumes. To this day, all the Easter bonnets she made for the girls are safely stored away. Illa read to her girls most nights. Barbara recalls, “I had three favorite books. I made my mother read them to me night after night. This is my fondest memory of my mother.” Now the grandchildren have inherited these childhood books, as well as Illa’s vast collection of Beanie Babies (over 100).

In recent years, Illa has experienced health issues. But she still has her famous beaming smile, even during these challenging times when visits from family and friends are very limited. Linda Revilla, now Director of Programs at Meals on Wheels, recalls a touching story about one visit from Don Collin. In keeping with safety protocols, the couple couldn’t be in the same room or hug each other. But they lovingly “touched hands” through a window. There wasn’t a dry eye among the staff.

Today, Collin spends her days watching the NHK channel, old movies and listening to music. Illa’s favorite musicians? Gene Autry, John Denver and Johnny Cash to name a few.

Barbara adds, “She loves any black and white movie – a good whodunit or comedy. She is a MAJOR fan of Star Wars – she’s seen all the movies.” In fact, the family home has a dedicated ‘Star Wars Room’ that now houses almost 100 figurines and movie paraphernalia. Illa’s entire collection actually numbers closer to 500 pieces, but most of it is in a large storage container and several pieces are in Illa’s Maple Tree Village apartment. Last year, Illa convinced ACC to have a Star Wars Halloween party. The family loaned a lot of their collection to ACC for the event. Illa had planned to attend the party as Darth Vader. Unfortunately, she got sick and spent that night in the hospital. But the family draped the costume over Illa, so she didn’t miss out on the festivities.

Barbara insisted I drink the special green tea from Frank Fat’s – the family’s favorite restaurant – as I listened to more stories that revolved around food. Don was the chef of the family, as “Illa just didn’t seem interested in learning how to cook”. As soon as they returned from their honeymoon, he began studying Julia Child’s cookbooks. This came in handy as the couple often entertained family and business associates. But Illa had some cooking skills. Karen said, “Mom was the worst cook in the world, but she always made and decorated our birthday cakes.” Illa often whipped up family favorites like Chicken Bits & Pilaf, French Breakfast Puffs, and Chugwater Chili. Try this famous Wyoming-based recipe, which includes Illa’s secret ingredient (V8 juice):

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. of lean ground beef
• 2 (15 ounce) cans of pinto and/or kidney beans, undrained 
• 2 – 3 (5.5 ounce) cans of V8 juice
• 3 Tbl. Of Chugwater Chili Seasoning 

Instructions:

• Brown the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
• Add in Chugwater Chili Seasoning; mix well.
• Add in the V8 juice.
• Give the mixture a good stir; now add the beans.

If you want a thicker chili, drain the beans first. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. And if you happen to run into Illa at Maple Tree Village, let her know you made her chili recipe. She’ll be thrilled and thank you with her beaming smile.

As the U.S. passes 217,000 lives lost to COVID-19, ACC will require more funding to keep our residents and staff safe against this unseen enemy. This fight will extend well into the future, which makes your financial support so important at this time.

To give you an idea of what we are facing, weekly required testing of ACC Care Center staff amounts to $15,000 per week or $60,000 per month.  Staff go through PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) at a minimum cost of $3,500 each month. Additionally, restrictions on admissions to our newly built ACC Maple Tree Village and the assisted living at ACC Greenhaven Terrace have resulted in significant losses.

In July, one resident tested positive for the virus followed by several other residents and staff. From the beginning, we have taken every precaution to keep our residents safe, going above and beyond government guidelines. Since August 10th, the ACC Care Center has reported no new cases.

Amidst the pandemic, we are working doubly hard to keep our residents engaged and hopeful. On August 14, we celebrated the 101st birthday of Ms. Chang Hou. ACC Care Center Activity Director, Debbie Williams, arranged for Ms. Hou’s family to celebrate with Ms. Hou outside her window.  The temperature outside was 102 degrees, but they were too overcome with joy to feel the heat! Later that afternoon, Ms. Hou’s daughter, Emily, wrote to us saying:

“You are all been trying so hard to keep residents healthy, to keep this place going.  It is a very difficult time mentally and financially.  With the care you guys provide, mom is eating and sleeping well.  She told me she is happy.  I asked her did the worker love you and she said yes. Good to see her smile. Thank you so much for everything.”

Your donation will help more residents like Ms. Hou and our care staff, who work under tough conditions, accepting the risks that come with protecting our residents.  They go home to families that are worried, but supportive of their mission.  We are grateful to them and to you for supporting ACC in this time of need.

Best regards,

Jean Shiomoto
Chair of the Board
ACC Senior Services

Darrick Lam, MSW, MBA
President/Chief Executive Officer
ACC Senior Services

Even before the pandemic, life as a caregiver was challenging. Now with COVID-19 redefining our life every day, caregivers are faced with more physical, emotional, and financial burdens that are too much to bear.

More than 40 million people in the U.S. provide day-to-day care for their loved ones in addition to fulfilling their own life responsibilities. Older women care for their spouses with dementia while trying to manage multiple chronic conditions and diminishing mobility. Middle-age adults known as the “Sandwich Generation” help out aging parents while being responsible for the well-being of their children. Millennials have to set aside their aspirations in life and be the primary caregiver for their boomer parents or siblings with severe disabilities. They find that the caregiving journey can be very lonely, unpredictable, and draining, both physically and emotionally.

Caregiving in the Pandemic

Even in normal times, society provided less than adequate social support for this vulnerable population. Now caregiving families are left to their own devices when many of these care resources, formal and informal, are no longer available. In-person day programs, social enrichment activities, and support groups are closed. Family members and relatives who usually share caregiving duties stopped visiting due to the fear of the virus. It takes extra time and energy to make a medical appointment or arrange rehab services, if available. Hiring in-home help is an extremely anxiety-inducing task for some families, who chose rather to provide care without any respite.  

Deprived of social outlets and support, many caregivers and their loved ones are noticing difficulties with their mental health. Constant worries and vigilance are tiring. People with dementia do not understand this new reality and this can make proper caregiving more stressful. Family relationships are affected when disagreements and conflicts build up. Caregivers whose loved ones are at care facilities mourn the loss of in-person contact and companionship. Working caregivers, who lost their jobs, have to deal with their own financial insecurity and fear of not being able to provide for their care receivers, as well. It is not surprising that caregiving families are increasingly suffering from issues such as anxiety, sleep problems, and depression.

Yet, it is more important than ever for the caregivers to pay attention to their self-care and mobilize any resources they can use to support them through this difficult time. Caregiving is more manageable and rewarding when the caregivers are surrounded by people who are willing to listen and help problem-solve. 

Please take some time to assess your level of physical strain and mental stress. Do not hesitate to ask for help from your network of friends and families. Utilize professional help available in your community. The ACC Caregiver Support Program has proudly served caregiving families in Sacramento County since 2008. Care assessments and consultations, benefit reviews, service referrals, and support groups continue to be provided via phone calls, email, mail, and online at no cost.  

At one point in our lives, we may all find ourselves in the position of caring for someone we hold dear. It is the most private and precious act of love, but requires the collective efforts from people around us and broader society to be successful. Please remember that you are not alone in this journey and reach out for help.

With her recent move to ACC Maple Tree Village, Mickey Yamadera has come full circle at ACC. This remarkable woman who mobilized people, resources, and goodwill for  ACC for decades is now living within ACC’s “community of caring” that she helped create.

Fellow long-time volunteer Frances Lee remembers meeting Mickey around 1983. She says, “After Mickey retired from the State of California, she volunteered at the ACC office on 6th and V Streets, working with Joyce Sakai and Dona OwFook, who were running the office at the time. Mickey and her late husband George were both bingo volunteers. Each session needed 22 volunteers. She worked tirelessly on staffing. Mickey also sold bingo paper on the floor, and George was a bingo caller.”

Mickey was also ACC’s treasurer for many years. She kept a file card system with names, addresses, and information on what donors and volunteers did. She clipped and saved obituaries of people who passed away. All this information helped friends of ACC give “koden,” which is the Japanese practice of giving money to the family of the deceased. 

“These were a substantial portion of our donations,” says Donna Yee, the former CEO of ACC Senior Services. “The koden list often gave rise to a retelling of many stories of families and relationships, a practice that imbued staff with knowledge and a real sense of the culture of caring at ACC. We learned through this oral history how families were linked before and after WWII and through marriages, divorces, celebrations and tragedies.”

Mickey served on the ACC Craft and Bake Sale Committee from the very beginning in the 1980s. She constantly made calls for food and other items to sell.  Says Donna, “Mickey could get all kinds of people to do so many things they never thought they could do.” Frances agrees, “If you have ever gotten a call from Mickey, you know it’s hard to say no.”

“The backbone of ACC has been its exceptionally dedicated volunteers. Mickey embodies that spirit, and we are so fortunate to have her in our lives!”

Gloria Imagire

Hach Yasumura met Mickey at work in 1962, while working at the Department of Motor Vehicles. He had just moved from Long Beach to Sacramento. She invited him to her church, Pioneer Methodist Church, which is now Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church (SJUMC).  He recalls, “Mickey-san was part of the group when we did an initial outreach to the churches about the plans for the Asian Community Center’s housing for the elderly under the leadership of Leo Goto.  She was there to support some of her friends from church: Leo Goto, Gloria Imagire, and Yasushi Chewy Ito. Mickey-san is a team player, whether it was for her family, her relatives and friends, at church, at DMV, or for the Girls Scouts.  She was always there to help.”

Glenn Watanabe met Mickey in 1978. He transported Tanoshimi Kai participants in ACC’s 14-passenger van to SJUMC, where Mickey helped organize weekly luncheons for them. “I liked her immediately,” he says. During the bingo era, Glenn called numbers alongside Mickey’s husband George. 

In 2007, Mickey recommended Glenn as a committee and board member.  “I remember talking with Donna Yee, asking why ACC would take that risk on me when they didn’t know me that well,” says Glenn.  “Donna laughed and said that although I was thoroughly vetted, it was Mickey’s endorsement that actually sealed the deal. That’s how much respect and admiration Mickey garnered through all her years serving ACC as a volunteer and officer.” 

Mickey has always been a doer, one who makes a lasting impression on the people she works with. “Mickey’s life is one of perseverance, patience, hopeful optimism, and grit,” says Donna. “She listens compassionately to the problems and tragedies of others, not to compare or compete, but with pure empathy and appreciation for the fortitude and strength of others.”

She was always there to help and support, says Hach.  “She always has a pleasant smile to greet you.  She would share her laughter with you and she was there to share your sadness.”

“She’s a true lady,” says Frances.

Many of the residents who move to Greenhaven Terrace hope to meet new friends or connect with their neighbors. For Mas Hatano and Yvonne Jung-Lew, the unexpected happened. They fell in love.

The two met a little over a year ago, shortly after Yvonne moved to Greenhaven Terrace. Mas had already been a longtime resident. They formed a friendship through walking; and it blossomed into much more. They would meet for dates under the gazebo at Greenhaven Terrace or at the bench at the ACC Senior Services building. Yvonne said that what she loves most about Mas is that he is easy to talk to, and Mas says that what he loves most about Yvonne is her sense of humor. 

Mas proposed to Yvonne in March 2020, but a hesitant Yvonne turned him down. It wasn’t until weeks of being apart and talking every day that she finally agreed to marry him. When asked why the change of heart, Yvonne replied that she would rather be happy for the rest of her life than be lonely. Being with Mas made her happy. 

The pair married on August 20, 2020, in a small ceremony at the Sacramento County Clerk’s office. Because of COVID-19 precautions, they were only allowed to have one witness each at the ceremony. Both of them brought one of their children to serve as witnesses. They look forward to getting to know each other’s families and hope to go on a cruise for their honeymoon in 2021. 

They are excited to continue living happily at Greenhaven Terrace, the place where they both found love again.