6

Mountain View News Saturday, May 3, 2025


WHAT’S NEW IN HEALTHCARE IN LOS ANGELES: 
HOUSE CALLS ARE BACK, BRINGING BETTER ACCESS 
AND IMPROVED OUTCOMES

 

Dr. Damanpreet Jamarai, chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare Medicare 
& Retirement of California

 

In Los Angeles County, residents are 
now enjoying something reminiscent of 
older classic television shows, harkening 
back to simpler times. Remember 
the old Marcus Welby, MD TV show? 
The doctor, with a kind bedside manner, 
made house calls and was on a first-
name basis with many of his patients. 
After his examination, he would console 
the family and announce, “Don’t 
worry, she’ll be just fine.”

 

But what’s old is new again as actual 
house calls are making a comeback, 
providing better access and improved 
outcomes here in Los Angeles County. 
Many older adults are now benefiting from programs being offered through many health insurers 
who bring nurse practitioners and their preventive care skills into the homes of older adults. The 
nurse practitioners spend up to an hour with patients, checking their health and helping them 
make connections to other social services so they can live a better, more independent life.

 

Los Angeles County is faring about the same as the average county in California for Population 
Health and Well-being, and better than the average county in the nation according to County 
Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a national study operated by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. 
In Los Angeles County, California, 29% of adults reported that they consider themselves in 
fair or poor health, compared to 18% for California.

 

One nurse practitioner who is a true believer of home house calls them has seen firsthand how the 
program is saving lives. She describes it as putting out fires before they ever start.

 

She fondly talks about Jack as an example of how the program is making a difference. One day, 
after Jack had finished doing his chores, he noticed that he was breathing a little hard. It worsened 
when he went inside the house. Fortunately, his nurse practitioner was due for her visit to see Jack. 
She immediately noticed something wasn’t right when Jack's blood pressure shot up dangerously 
high, at 217/110. She insisted that he go to the doctor and receive care. Jack admitted that if she 
hadn't come over, he wouldn't have gone to the doctor, saying, “They found my widow maker, 
my vein to my heart, and it was 97% clogged.” The doctor placed a stent in his heart, preventing 
a massive heart attack. He calls his nurse practitioner his “guardian angel.” Jack credits his nurse 
practitioner for saving his life.

 

Colleen, another nurse practitioner who makes house calls, likes to get to know her patients by 
visiting them regularly in their homes. During a recent visit with her patient, Sue, she sensed there 
was a problem right away. Sue was having bad pain in the back of her calf — to the point where 
she couldn’t walk. Colleen performed a pain assessment and used a screening tool to measure the 
blood flow to Sue’s legs and feet. The screening showed Sue had poor circulation in her leg that, if 
left untreated, could have resulted in serious complications, potentially leading to the loss of her 
leg. Colleen sought proper medical attention immediately, which not only saved Sue’s life but also 
saved her independence.

 

Harkening back to house calls is something old that’s new again and improving the lives of older 
adults.

 

If you are interested in learning more about the house call program, please contact your health 
plan for more information.


BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF PASADENA 
INVITES COMMUNITY TO 
“PASADENA LOVES TRIVIA” NIGHT 

Fun-filled Evening to Serve up 

Trivia, Tacos, and Tempting Libations 

Pasadena, CA – Looking for a fun Friday night to mingle with fellow Pasadenans and give 
back to the community? All are invited to the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena’s “Pasadena 
Loves Trivia” event on the evening of Friday, May 30. Guests will put their trivia knowledge 
to the test, while enjoying tacos from Chronic Tacos and a selection of beer and wine from 
their partner, fire-affected Altadena Beverage & Market. This is the Club’s second annual 
“CommUnity Night” to bring together local professionals and community members to 
connect, network, and most of all – have fun!

The event will be held at Whimsy Pasadena, an event space located in Old Town Pasadena. 
Trivia questions will be wide-ranging, and prizes will be awarded to the top teams. The Boys 
& Girls Club of Pasadena welcomes both seasoned trivia aficionados as well as more casual 
trivia enthusiasts. Limited tickets and sponsorships are available at https://bgcptrivia25.
givesmart.com/. All ticket levels include food and beverage.

Every ticket purchased 
supports the Boys & 
Girls Club of Pasadena 
and its steadfast mission 
to uplift local kids and 
youth through impactful 
programs focused on 
Academic Success, Healthy 
Lifestyles, and Good 
Character and Leadership. 
This year, Pasadena Loves 
Trivia has an even greater 
impact. Over 90 Club 
members lost their homes 
the Eaton Fire. Many lost 
both their homes and their 
school campus. The Club 
is requesting attendees to 
consider bringing a $25 gift 
card, to be donated directly to Club families affected by the fire.

Event sponsors include Emily and Scott Mencken, Michael Oran, and Phillip and Anne Lee.

About Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena

Since 1937, the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena has enriched the lives of young people in our 
community, enabling them to reach their full potential as productive, caring, healthy, and responsible 
citizens. Serving more than 1,500 youth, ages 5 – 18 annually, BGCP focuses on Academic Success, 
Healthy Lifestyle, and Good Character and Leadership. The Club experience fills the gap between 
school and home – year-round – providing a welcoming, safe and positive environment in which kids 
and teens have fun, participate in life-changing programs, make friends and find encouragement with 
caring adults. The Club operates two main Clubhouse locations in Pasadena: Slavik Branch on E. 
Del Mar Blvd., and Mackenzie-Scott Branch on N. Fair Oaks Avenue. Additional locations serving 
Odyssey Charter School students will return in Fall 2025, pending relocation as a result of the Eaton 
Fire. www.bgcpasadena.org


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com