Senior Services Division
The Senior Services Division provides comprehensive services to seniors 60 years of age or older in the Eastside of the City of Los Angeles. The philosophy of the Senior Services Division is to offer senior citizens the opportunity to an independent, long, and healthy lifestyle through quality services, information, and support. Each year we provide over 85,000 congregate meals Monday through Friday at 10 senior dining centers throughout our service area. Approximately 225 hot and nutritious meals are delivered Monday through Friday to homebound seniors in the area. Our Transportation Program offers door-to-door service to seniors 65 or over, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements.
Transportation services may include medical appointments, social service appointments, and shopping. Pre-registration and 24-hour prior scheduling is required. Since our goal is to help seniors remain self-sufficient in their homes for as long as possible, our Social Services Program includes visits by Case Managers to evaluate and assist homebound seniors. Additional support includes in-home care services, light housekeeping, and yard work. Our Adult Day Support Center, El Rinconcito del Sol, offers social day care for seniors 62 or over. The program is open five days a week and provides respite services to caregivers. Our Senior Multipurpose Center offers a variety of activities ranging from dances twice a week, exercise classes, arts and crafts, club meetings, educational presentations and health fairs to mention only a few.
IILA food bank day for seniors
On the second Wednesday of each month, with support from Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, the International Institute of Los Angeles Senior Services Division holds a food bank distribution day. Over 200 seniors living in East-side Los Angeles receive 60 pounds of groceries, generously donated by local and national food manufacturers, wholesalers, supermarkets, restaurant suppliers, packers, processors and brokers.
The local seniors who receive the free groceries are able to improve their nutritional status, and also have an opportunity during the event to socialize and visit the IILA Senior Multipurpose Center. Josefina Lepe, one of the recipients, was asked how she feels about the food bank day. With a big smile on her face she said, “This is a great program. I am very grateful!”
Food bank day is one of our many busy days at the IILA Senior Services Center, and one that everyone seems to enjoy. Our seniors look forward to this monthly activity and many donate their time to help organize the distribution. The senior volunteers work under the direction of the IILA social services director. “I am very glad to help,” says Filiberto Ramos, one of our senior volunteers, while assisting other seniors with their grocery bags. From assigning numbers at the entrance to directing traffic around the building, our seniors take ownership of this program and help make it a reality.
