Community Corner
The Center For Elders' Independence Is Helping Serve Seniors
Emily Hoshida, the Center Director at CEI, shares what's in store for the new PACE center in Contra Costa County.
This Patch article is sponsored by Hill & Company Communications - Center for Elders Independence.
PACE is the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, a national healthcare program for seniors age 55 and older who have multiple health issues. The PACE mission is to help seniors live in their communities instead of in nursing homes for as long as possible while improving their quality of life. During COVID-19, PACE healthcare helps keep seniors safe and enjoying independent living.
The Center is located at 1465 Civic Court in Concord and will serve seniors living in Concord, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Bay Point, Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga and neighboring communities. CEI vans provide transportation to and from the Center and to all specialist appointments located within the county.
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Patch had the chance to chat with Emily Hoshida about her role in the community.
Patch: How long have you been doing business in town, or how long has your organization been around in the community?
Find out what's happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Hoshida: CEI has been a PACE provider serving seniors in Alameda County for nearly 40 years and in West Contra Costa County since 2001. With the opening of our new PACE center, we will now have the opportunity to bring PACE healthcare to Central and East Contra Costa County.
Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you're in, and how did you get started?
Hoshida: I started working at the age of 14 at Freedom Village Continuing Care Retirement Community in Lake Forest, California, as a server in the dining room. I enjoyed getting to know the residents and hearing about their lives. I went to California State University, Chico receiving my Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences, with an option in Health Services Administration. I started my professional career working for Butte Home Health & Hospice as a Human Resources and Billing Assistant. I also worked as a backup scheduler for our sister company, Butte Home Health Plus, which specialized in home care services.
In 2006, I moved to the Bay Area to move closer to my husband, who was attending school in San Francisco. I was hired as a Quality Assistant at CEI and was quickly promoted to the Training Coordinator and then to a Human Resources Analyst. I worked at our administrative offices in downtown Oakland for almost eight years, where I got to know the staff, the organization's policies, and the culture of our centers. In 2013, I had the opportunity to work at our Berkeley Center as an Assistant Center Director and was promoted to Center Director. For more than seven years, I worked as the Center Director of the Berkeley PACE Center and gained incredible experience with an exceptional team. When I began working with our senior participants and their families as the Center Director, I knew right away that I had finally found my passion. I realized that my career path had started early in my life and that I was drawn to providing services to seniors.
In my personal life, I am married and have three children. My husband and I have lived in Contra Costa County for 13 years and have lived in Concord for the past seven years. We truly enjoy the community that exists here and have become actively involved with our church and the Concord American Little League. I am overjoyed to begin providing PACE services in Contra Costa County.
Patch: If you had to sum up your business mission to a stranger in five words, what would those words be?
Hoshida: Our mission in five words: Maintaining senior wellness and independence.
Patch: What's the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you've faced in your job? What's the most satisfying part of your job?
Hoshida: The most challenging and most satisfying part of my job is ensuring our care team keeps our senior participants' health goals at the focus of our decisions and honoring their wishes.
Patch: How would you say your business distinguishes itself from the others?
Hoshida: Center for Elders' Independence's PACE program is different from most organizations because it is all-inclusive healthcare. PACE provides complete medical, dental, vision, hearing, podiatry, transportation, home care, and case management services. Plus, for seniors enrolled in both Medicare and Medi-Cal, PACE services are provided at no cost. Our doctors, nurses, specialists, and pharmacists all work from one personalized care plan to understand each senior's healthcare and emotional needs. We work together to improve the quality of life of each of our seniors.
Patch: What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given when it comes to success?
Hoshida: Regarding my personal growth, the best advice I have received and shared with many came from a former supervisor, "Be comfortable with the uncomfortable. The only way to grow is to put yourself out there and work toward what you believe in."
Patch: Are there any new projects or endeavors you're working on that you're extra excited about? If so, what details can you share, and what makes it so exciting?
Hoshida: The opportunity to work at the new PACE Center in Contra Costa County is very exciting for me. For the past seven years, I have focused primarily on serving our seniors currently enrolled in PACE. As a result, I have not invested time networking with the community and spreading the awareness of this incredible program. I am truly enjoying this new opportunity to educate and inform service organizations and potential members about the PACE services we provide to seniors. There is a great need for senior healthcare services in East and Central Contra Costa County. I am so honored to be a part of an organization that recognizes the importance of providing PACE services and expanding its service area.
Patch: Do you have any events coming up in your community? If so, tell us about them.
Hoshida: The new PACE Center is now open for enrollment. For more information about becoming a CEI participant or schedule a tour of Contra Costa County's new PACE Center in Concord, please refer to the contact information listed below.
Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your business or schedule a tour of the new PACE Center?
Hoshida: For more information about the Center for Elders' Independence, please visit cei.elders.org or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You may also call (510) 433-1150 to talk to one of our intake specialists or to schedule a tour of our new PACE Center.