White Memorial Medical Center – Vive Bien Senior Wellness Program

Overview

In 2009, White Memorial Medical Center (WMMC) partnered with the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation’s (MAOF) Senior Hispanic Information and Assistance Services to provide local Latino older adults with access to community resources to keep them healthy and independent. Located in the WMMC Community Information Center, Vive Bien Senior Wellness Program engages older adults and community members by providing free health workshops, fitness classes, information and tips on preventing and managing disease, senior walking club outings, nutrition classes and healthy cooking demonstrations, free health checks and other wellness programs providing accessible and culturally relevant preventive health information and resources. A centerpiece is information and assistance concerning health care coverage and enrollment with the goal of increasing connections to local health care services while also elevating senior health and quality of life in the community.

Impact

Participation begins with anyone age 60 or older who registers for free membership. To date, 1,656 seniors have joined and are busy and active. Membership is open to anyone regardless of immigration status or medical insurance. The monthly events calendar and senior wellness newsletter informs members, their family and caregivers about more than 50 weekly educational programs, senior social events and trips, and health screenings. Transportation assistance at no cost to the seniors provides access and social interaction senior support groups in their primary language, interacting with bilingual health care team members. The Vive Bien Wellness Guide is the result of the program’s ongoing partnership with the Spanish­language La Opinion newspaper and is focused on health and wellness articles concerning preventive care.

Lessons Learned

By engaging seniors in fitness classes, health workshops and positive social activities, and by providing access to health care services through an understanding of their health care coverage, program leaders are observing improved basic health outcomes for participants’ metrics that include blood pressure, glucose, weight, BMI, and body fat.

Future Goals

The Vive Bien Senior Wellness Program, based upon its success, has been expanded into the community in partnership with the YMCA, offering the same programs at the Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA and the Southeast-Rio Vista YMCA. Program leaders are also working with the Asian Pacific Foundation to open a site for the Korean community in Los Angeles.

Contact: Mary Anne Chern
President, WMMC Charitable Foundation
Telephone: 323-260-5739
Email: chernma@ah.org