January 4, 2016
Andrew M. Slavitt,
Acting Administrator
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Department of Health and Human Services
Room 445-G
Hubert H. Humphrey Building
200 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20201
RE: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Revisions to Requirements for Discharge Planning for Hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals, and Home Health Agencies
Dear Acting Administrator Slavitt:
Serving Seniors opened its doors in 1970 to serve meals to low income senior adults of San Diego. By the 1980’s, we recognized that many critical needs were not being addressed by other community agencies, and thus began providing outreach, transportation, case management, and referral services to our clients in an effort to remove obstacles to independent living. This responsiveness functioned as an early template for our current service model, which was designed to provide a full spectrum of services to meet the wellness needs particular to low-income seniors. Our Homeless Prevention Program, which finds permanent, affordable housing for homeless seniors, was added to our service offerings in 2002. This was complimented by the 2003 opening of our first affordable housing unit, the Potiker Family Senior Residence, followed in 2007 by the Potiker City Heights Residence.
The Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center was unveiled to the community in 2010 as an innovative, integrated solution to promoting independence and healthy living for seniors, and remains today as the cornerstone of our organization. Through the Wellness Center, we are able to offer daily hot meals, access to on-site health professionals including oral health, social services management, community activities, and classes. The unique center was over-built with the specific purpose of allowing ample space for our collaborative partners to provide their services on-site in an effort to expand and strengthen our multi-disciplinary approach to senior wellness.
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