Health Care: Ways to Improve Services

I was delighted to read in your February story “Operating Anew” that Santa Monica Hospital has joined with St. John’s Hospital in planning how to expand health care services for the community on an individual and joint, cooperative basis.

I would urge housing for the growing number of seniors, in a sizable graying population, be part of the planning.

Short- and long-term care is a health care need that requires housing. A hospital-related elderly housing facility can supply the “preventive” health care so vital at this stage of life, and a family situation that builds on mutual assistance and friendships.

And as all elderly have a minimum of Social Security and Medicare aid for self-pay, such a housing program can also benefit the hospital as a financial resource.

Hyman Haves

Pacific Palisades