Kimochi San Mateo

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, Kimochi San Mateo extends our Japanese tradition of care for seniors, their families and caregivers to those living in the Peninsula.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Individual must be 60 years of age or older
• Eligible for 24-hour non-medical assisted living care
• Ambulatory or non-ambulatory
• Able to cooperate with staff
• Successfully complete the program application and assessment process

Based on the successful model of Kimochi Home (established in San Francisco’s Japantown in 1983), Kimochi San Mateo houses 14 seniors for ambulatory and non-ambulatory care (wheelchair accessible). Residents are under 24-hour supervised, non medical care.  Staff provides assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such a bathing, dressing, and assistance in taking medications.

Kimochi San Mateo’s Residential Care Services features the following:

• 24 hours supervision in a secured building
• Three nutritious meals a day, with Japanese-style food prepared daily
• Social and recreational activities
• Assistance in scheduling medical appointments
• Monitoring of general health and development of appropriate care plans
• Housekeeping services including laundry
• Regular assessment to monitor care level

Family members and friends are often the providers of caregiving support to their spouses, patents, and the seniors in the community.  Kimochi offers caregivers outreach and supportive services to strengthen their capacity to help keep seniors at home.

Staff are available to provide the following:

• Assistance in identifying the needs of the caregiven
• Referrals to link caregivers with resources that can assist them
• Home visits to connect with families
• Facilitation of family meetings
• Translation support in English and Japanese
• Support groups
• Presentations and training sessions

Kimochi San Mateo offers several training sessions every year for family caregivers. Topics can include:

• Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
• How to cope with difficult behavior
• Hands-on care
• Family caregiving and self-care
• Senior law
• Long-term care insurance, financial planning
• Nutrition
• End of life care