Keiro's New Vision Framework: Approaching Aging through Holistic Lens of Genki Living

July 19, 2016

Keiro's Board of Directors is currently engaged in in-depth planning to develop Keiro's operational and programmatic strategy to achieve maximum community benefit in the coming decade. The New Vision Framework series of eNewsletters describes core components of the Vision Framework that serves as the roadmap for Keiro's long-range planning going forward.

Keiro's New Vision Framework: Fourth in a Six-part Series

Approaching Aging through the Holistic Lens of Genki Living: the Eight Dimensions of Wellbeing

Launched well over a decade ago, Keiro's signature Genki Living program has offered a series of wellness promotion and education classes, trainings, and conferences that have focused on stimulating a positive, proactive approach to healthy aging.

As Keiro moves forward, Genki Living will take on a more profound role in addressing the complex needs of older adults in the Japanese American and Japanese community as well as for caregivers. Here is an overview of what Genki Living means.

Genki Living: the 8 Dimensions of Wellbeing is rooted in Japanese heritage and Japanese American values and traditions. It is a holistic framework that envisions the spectrum of issues and challenges that older adults face as they age so that individuals are seen not only from a lens of physical health. Genki Living is the foundation for Keiro's programming and helps promote comprehensive support that is provided in a culturally sensitive and appropriate way.

Each of the eight dimensions of Genki Living describes a set of issues and potential needs for support and intervention. Each is a continuum from early planning and prevention that promotes wellbeing to addressing some of the most challenging issues that individuals and their families might face. The dimensions are closely interconnected, and balance across the dimensions is critically important to quality of life as older adults transition through life stages. The degree to which needs in any of the eight dimensions are met impacts quality and longevity of life.

Physical

This dimension is primarily focused on the physical health of an older adult from mobility to living with chronic illness. It involves access to quality medical care, how to address multiple health conditions and challenges, and coordination of medications. Food safety, nutrition and hydration, exercise, and appropriate and timely immunization are other aspects of physical dimension that can enhance or decrease life expectancy.

Occupational

This dimension focuses on engagement in meaningful pursuits so that an older adult feels purposeful, valued, and fulfilled. It might be related to finding appropriate work experiences, volunteer opportunities, or civic engagement that draw on older adults' skills, talents, and experience. It also involves keeping the mind and body alert and engaged, disciplined, and active, according to one's capabilities.

Financial

Because Japanese Americans and Japanese older adults live longer than the average American, having adequate financial resources and support systems are important. Financial planning and financial support, including retirement resources, health and long-term care insurance, and estate planning can help, but many face restricted, diminishing or inadequate resources as they age. Family and community can be resources but asking for help is often self-limiting, because of perceived cultural norms and not wanting to be a burden.

Intellectual

Cultivating creativity, lifelong learning, and intellectual stimulation aids in sustaining mental capacity in older adults. However, this dimension is a continuum and declining memory and mental agility are a natural part of the aging process. Coping with memory loss or adapting to changes in mental capacity are amongst the most challenging issues for older adults and their caregivers. Dementia, Alzheimer's, and other cognitive issues are increasing in a growing older adult population.

Emotional

Aging is an emotional experience. We aim to address issues related to expressing levels of dependency, managing loss and grief, and transitioning between life stages. These require one to articulate wants and needs to maintain a strong quality of life in new ways as dependency on caregivers, including family members, grows.

Social

Isolation is one of the most under recognized issues facing older adults. This dimension involves promoting connections with family, friends, and neighbors as well as the challenges of building and rebuilding strong social support systems that address loneliness and seclusion. Reaching those that are cut off from regular social interactions is an extremely challenging issue and it becomes a vicious cycle if left unchecked. Expanding programs that connect older adults, keeping them engaged in community activities is a priority.

Spiritual

Beliefs and values are inner rudders to help as one navigates life decisions and life changes. They are especially important as one ages and faces end of life and loss. This dimension of wellbeing acknowledges the importance of sustaining older adults' daily, weekly, or regular spiritual or religious practice. Spiritual practice can promote peace and equilibrium and can alleviate fear and anxiety about death, meaning, and connection. Unfortunately, the spiritual dimension is often under-recognized for its role in promoting health, inner peace, resilience, and social communities. Access to resources, centers, and support are critical.

Environmental

This dimension starts with the safety of the space in which one lives including assessment of living quarters for easy accessibility, prevention of falls or injury, and improvement of mobility within the home. It also involves personal safety and reduction of harm or violence including elder abuse, as well as issues of neighborhood and community safety.

Keiro's Genki Living framework will continue to be used to assess the needs of older adults and caregivers, to develop programs to fill critical gaps in services, and to guide partnerships with the many organizations and groups working to support older adults in Our Community.

Next week, the fifth in Keiro's New Vision Framework eNewsletter series will focus on strategies we will use to achieve the greatest impact in our three core program areas.

If you have comments or suggestions about Keiro's future direction, please send them to: [email protected] .

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We continue to invite your participation and support. For more information about Keiro's commitment to the future, please visit: www.keiro.org

Keiro is expanding our reach from a focus on long term health care facilities to broadly engaging and supporting older adults wherever they call home. Serving primarily Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange counties, Keiro provides services to older adults and caregivers, along with programs for residents of Keiro's former facilities-helping older adults in Our Community age the way they choose.

420 E. Third Street, Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90013 | 213.873.5700 | www.keiro.org

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