Kimochi Home

Established in July 1971, Kimochi, Inc. or Kimochi Kai as it was largely known in the early days, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit senior service agency based in San Francisco’s historic Japantown neighborhood.  The word “kimochi” means “feelings” in Japanese. For our organization, “feelings” for our elders - respect, gratitude, and love - are expressed through services that enable each generation to age with dignity, pride, support, independence and friendship.

It all started when Sansei (third generation Japanese Americans) began helping the Issei (first generation Japanese Americans) in San Francisco Japantown.  These Sansei realized that because of language and cultural barriers, the Issei were not able to utilize mainstream services.  They helped seniors by providing them with information and assistance in applying for government and health benefits and offered transportation services and walking escorts to make sure seniors could leave and return safely to their homes.  This younger generation’s commitment to the Issei’s care and well-being inspired the formation of Kimochi, Inc. as a multi-service senior service organization. 

In 1983, Kimochi completed the Kimochi Home building project and opened its doors for residential/respite care for 20 seniors and adult social day care for 40 seniors.  In 2012, Kimochi purchased a site in San Mateo to provide services and support for seniors and families outside of San Francisco.  In 2016, following extensive renovations, Kimochi San Mateo received its licensing approval to open as a non-ambulatory Residential Care Facility for the elderly.

Kimochi Home is an appealing assisted living community in San Francisco, California. It is within pleasant San Francisco County which is part of the Golden State.

The residential program has the capacity to house up to 19 ambulatory seniors in either single or shared rooms. Residents are under 24-hour supervised, non-medical care. Staff provides assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) such as bathing, dressing, and taking medications.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Individual must be 60 years of age or older
• Ambulatory (able to walk independently with little or no assistance. Canes are O.K.)
• Able to get along with others in a group setting
• Able to cooperate with staff

The respite care program is temporary, short term, 24-hour supervised care for seniors. This service is available for families in need of backup care for an elderly member, especially during periods of caregiver burnout and stress or during family vacations which necessitate leaving a senior behind. The program is also an option for seniors who are being discharged from the hospital or who have recently been ill and need a temporary place to stay until they feel healthy enough to return home. Both programs feature the following services:

• 24 hours supervision in a secured building
• Three nutritious Japanese style meals
• Social and recreational activities
• Transportation and escorts to medical appointments
• Monitoring of general health and development of appropriate care plans
• Housekeeping services including laundry
• Regular assessment to monitor care level

The mission of Kimochi, Inc. is to provide a continuum of culturally-sensitive programs and services to all seniors and their families to preserve their dignity and independence, with a focus on the Japanese American and Japanese speaking community.