A New Life Board and Care

Photo sourced from Google Maps.

A New Life Board and Care is a small assisted living home for older adults located on Strathern Street in Reseda, in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. It operates as a six-bed residential care home, which gives it a more intimate, family-style atmosphere compared to a large senior community. The home is licensed by the California Department of Social Services as a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) and is operated under the leadership of administrator Gurgen Karapetyan. For many families, this type of setting feels less institutional and more like moving into an extended household.

General Information and Living Conditions

 

Location and Setting

The house sits in a regular residential neighborhood at 19435 Strathern Street. From the street, it looks like a typical two-story California home. This kind of environment creates a comfortable and familiar suburban look that can be reassuring for older adults who prefer a quiet street over a large building with long corridors. Visits from relatives also tend to feel more relaxed, as family members are essentially coming to a house.

Inside, the common areas are used for shared meals, conversation, and simple activities. Residents are encouraged to personalize their rooms with photos and small personal items so that the space truly feels like home.

Licensing and Oversight

A New Life Board and Care holds an active license as a six-bed facility and has been operating under this license since late 2023. As with other licensed residential care homes in California, the property is subject to unannounced visits and periodic evaluations from state inspectors. These visits focus on safety, staffing, medication procedures, and the overall care environment.

It is important for families to note that inspectors in 2024 identified several maintenance and safety issues (such as furniture needing repair, blocked exit paths, and missing signage near oxygen equipment). When such findings occur, the home is required to submit and follow a Plan of Correction. Families can and should ask the administrator how these corrections were implemented and how similar issues are prevented in the future.

Size and Daily Environment

Due to the small scale of only six residents, staff have the opportunity to get to know each resident’s routines, preferences, and personality quite well. This intimate setting means residents are not "lost in the crowd," and staff can often notice early changes in health (appetite, mood, sleep) sooner than they might in a larger facility.

Daily life revolves around familiar home routines. Mornings usually include help with getting up, hygiene, and medications, followed by breakfast. Residents may spend the day in common areas or relax in their rooms, participating in low-key activities. The goal is not to maintain a packed activities calendar but to provide a predictable rhythm and a sense of calm.

Care Model and Safety

Day-to-Day Support and Services

A New Life Board and Care is an assisted living / board-and-care home, not a Skilled Nursing Facility. Its primary role is to provide supervision and help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).

Staff assist residents with the following:

• Bathing and showering, dressing, oral hygiene.

• Toileting and continence care.

• Transfers in and out of bed or chairs, and supervision.

• Medication reminders and/or administration.

Meals, housekeeping, and laundry services are also provided, reducing the burden on families and allowing residents to focus on comfort and routine.

Dementia Care and Safety Measures

Many residents in small board-and-care homes live with some degree of memory loss. While A New Life Board and Care is not a locked memory-care unit, the small group size and stable routines can be a good match for individuals with early or moderate dementia who function better in a quiet, stable environment. Staff provide support through gentle redirection, reminders, and reassurance.

Safety is an ongoing focus. Clear pathways, supervised common areas, and regular visual checks help reduce the risk of falls and wandering. Families should discuss their loved one’s specific diagnosis, history of wandering or aggression, and any behavioral challenges with the administrator before move-in. If the resident's needs progress to the point where they become consistently unsafe, the team can help the family evaluate whether a higher level of care is more appropriate.

Medical Coordination and Emergency Procedures

In-Home Medical Support

Although the home itself is not a medical facility, residents maintain access to medical care. Families can usually keep the primary care doctor they trust and bring in outside services, such as house-call physicians, home health agencies, or hospice support. In many situations, a doctor, nurse, or therapist can come directly to the resident's room for non-emergency problems, which significantly reduces the stress and risk associated with frequent trips to clinics and hospitals.

The administrator helps coordinate the schedules, paperwork, and communication with these outside providers to ensure they can work safely and efficiently within the home.

Response to Sudden Health Changes

In clear, life-threatening emergencies (severe chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, signs of a stroke), staff will immediately call emergency services (911) and notify the family. For less urgent but concerning changes (new fever, confusion, repeated falls), the usual approach is to contact the family and the resident’s physician to determine the safest next step—which may be a house-call assessment or an urgent clinic visit.

Coordination Following a Hospital Stay

Hospitalizations are sometimes unavoidable. The home keeps the family informed and prepares for the resident's possible return. After discharge, the administrator can assist in arranging necessary follow-up services, such as physical or occupational therapy and follow-up medical visits. This essential coordination helps mitigate the risk of repeated ER visits and readmissions, aiding the resident in regaining stability in familiar surroundings.

Summary: Who Is a Good Fit?

A New Life Board and Care is generally best suited for older adults who need help with everyday tasks (ADLs) and 24-hour supervision, and who appreciate a calm, home-like environment. Individuals with early or moderate dementia who respond well to routine may also do well here.

By contrast, someone who needs intensive medical interventions, complex wound care, continuous monitoring by licensed nurses, or management of severe behavioral issues may require a higher level of care than this six-bed home can realistically provide. A detailed conversation with the administrator and the resident’s physician is the best way to assess the fit.

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