"History is the present. That's why every generation writes it anew."


-- E. L. Doctorow (1931- ), Novelist

History of WISE & Healthy Aging

WISE & Healthy Aging is a multi-service, non-profit organization serving seniors throughout Los Angeles County, with emphasis on low-income and/or underserved individuals. The team at WISE & Healthy Aging works to promote and improve the well-being, independence and self-esteem of seniors, and to prevent premature institutionalization whenever possible.

WISE & Healthy Aging is the result of the November 1, 2007 merger between WISE Senior Services (WISE) and Center For Healthy Aging (CHA). The merger created a pooling of a wealth of expertise and resources that furthers its mission-based activities and expands its services and provides for greater community impact.

WISE & Healthy Aging is partially funded by the State of California General Fund, State of California Department of Aging, County of Los Angeles Community and Senior Services (through the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended) and County of Los Angeles Department of Mental Health, City of Los Angeles Department of Aging, City of Santa Monica, Corporation for National Services, as well as from generous corporate and private philanthropic sources.

Responding to A Need to Improve Older Adults' Access to Health Care and Health Information

Center For Healthy Aging (CHA) was founded by five senior residents of Santa Monica as a grass-roots effort in 1976. CHA initially responded to a need for accessible health care for older adults.

By 2006, CHA, a private non-profit agency was an established, nationally recognized model for the delivery of health care to people over 55 by focusing on prevention of disease, education for a healthy lifestyle, and assistance with the special emotional concerns that aging brings. A unique setting of interdisciplinary care provided by professional staff and more than 150 volunteers, the center had shown impressive results while remaining cost effective. CHA provided more than 29,000 client contact services annually.

Center for Healthy Aging’s Peer Counseling Program became a model for volunteer effort, training older adults to counsel their peers. This innovative program was featured on “20/20,” “60 Minutes,” and in Parade Magazine, and serves as a model for organizations throughout the world. The Center was designated as the “31st Point of Light” in President George Bush’s Thousand Points of Light Program that recognizes institutions involved in community volunteer service.

Meeting the Diverse Needs of a Growing Population of Older Adults

WISE Senior Services (WISE) was founded in 1968 by volunteers and community members to address the needs of the growing senior population in Los Angeles County. WISE initially stood for Westside Independent Services to the Elderly, but over time it came to stand for Well-being, Independence, Self-esteem and Education.

A multi-service, private, not-for-profit organization, WISE was dedicated to enriching the lives and promoting the well-being of senior citizens within the Los Angeles area. As part of this, through the years WISE particularly devoted its attention and resources to serving low-income seniors. In 1972, WISE was instrumental in establishing the first senior center in Santa Monica.

In the 1980’s, WISE began its involvement with the Long-Term Ombudsman Program, which still operates today and has become nationally recognized. The program advocates for the more than 100,000 beds in long-term facilities in the City and County of Los Angeles, has been replicated throughout the United States.

In 2002, WISE opened a new state-of-the-art building for its adult day care program that was designed specifically to meet the needs of frail and elderly and which nearly doubled service capacity. Also in 2002, WISE was named “Agency of the Year” by the City of Los Angeles in recognition of the innovation and creativity of its programs.

By 2006, WISE was serving 35,000 clients annually, with the help for more than 800 volunteers, making it one of the largest senior volunteer efforts in the country.

Programs and Services Provided by WISE & Healthy Aging: