Leisure Living for Seniors

Ross Hashemi draws from his own personal experiences when he models his business. Having gone through the whole nursing home ordeal with his own mother, Hashemi knows what makes a business like his tick.

“It’s compassion, the homey environment and excellent care,” said the Agoura resident and owner of Leisure Living, a group of long-term care facilities for seniors.

Good timing

Hashemi has six facilities in Agoura Hills and Westlake Village. In 1997, he opened the first Leisure Living home in Westlake, having stumbled upon the idea during his mom’s illness.

“Word got around through local doctors that I was doing a good job with long-term care,” said Hashemi, noting that in the late 1990s there was a shortage of senior care facilities.

He opened the second home in 1999 and the next ones every two to three years thereafter. “This is it for now,” said Hashemi, who left a high-tech industry career spanning 20 years.

His wife Pam, an electrical engineer, shares the administrative workload, along with a full-time manager.

Caring for seniors

Both Hashemi and his wife had to undergo training to get accredited as administrators. “Everyone kept telling us it was a tough business to be in,” he said. “We needed to show a solid business plan and financial backing of course.”

The Hashemis persisted and completed all the requisite classes and licenses. The staff also had to attend training and earn certifications in first aid, CPR and dementia, among others.

Dementia, or memory impairment, was one of the areas for which Hashemis had to seek certification. “People are just beginning to realize that if they have a family member with dementia, they can’t be left alone at home,” he said.

According to Hashemi, over 50 percent of their residents have some form of memory impairment or another. The condition is so prevalent that the entrepreneur took it upon himself to get more information and get involved in the local Alzheimer’s Association of which he is vice-chairman.

Aside from dementia, seniors with mobility issues, stroke victims and “end-of-life” patients also reside in the homes. The average stay is anywhere from three to six years. Most residents are in their 70s and 80s, with the oldest so far being 102-years-old.

The residents’ days are semi-structured and may include appointments to see doctors, physical therapists, dentists and hairdressers. The senior center and the mall are also top destinations. A staff member accompanies all residents to their appointments.

Green home initiative

At the onset of the current economic slump, he found a home that was vacant. Hashemi took advantage of the vacancy by remodeling and upgrading the facility.

He had solar panels and fire sprinklers installed. The kitchen was upgraded with a granite countertop, among others.

As part of his long-term “green home” initiative, two other homes now have solar panels. Hashemi envisions having solar panels in all the homes, eventually.

Extending comfort

“You have to like what you’re doing,” said Hashemi, revealing the secret to Leisure Living's staying power.

“Being available 24/7 also helps,” he said.

At the end of a long day, he finds fulfillment in things such as the well-being of his residents. “If I can help extend their comfort during those remaining years, them I’ve done my job,” said Hashemi.