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Wise & Healthy Aging

EIN 95-2788014 · Santa Monica, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION IS A MULTI-SERVICE, 501C(3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT, SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANIZATION SERVING SENIORS THROUGHOUT LOS ANGELES AND SAN BERNARDIO COUNTIES, WITH EMPHASIS ON LOW-INCOME AND/OR UNDERSERVED INDIVIDUALS. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS VITALS SUPPORT

Income
$10.1 million
Spending
$9.8 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
14.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 71%
Employees
100
Volunteers
112
Highest pay
$273,543, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 20 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $4.0 million spent. CITY AND COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES AND COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM: WISE AND HEALTHY AGING ADMINSTERS THE SECOND LARGEST OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM IN THE NATION. THE ADVOCACY -FOCUSED PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP PROTECT AND ENSURE QUALITY OF CARE AND DISABLED ADULTS AND SENIORS LIVING IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AND SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES. SERVICES INCLUDE COMPLIANT INVESTIGATION, FACITITY STAFF AND WITNESSING ADVANCE DIRECTIVES IN SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES.
  2. $1.8 million spent. CARE MANAGEMENT: ASSISTING SENIORS TO MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE IN THEIR OWN HOMES WITH CARE MANAGEMENT (IN-HOME ASSESSMENT AND CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES; CAN INCLUDE SHORT OR LONG- TERM MONITORING).SENIOR PEER COUNSELING: INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING FOR OLDER ADULTS WHO ARE DEALING WITH COMMON CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH AGING, INCLUDING LOSS AND GRIEF, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, HOARDING, RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS, OR AGING CONCERNS. PARAPROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS ARE OLDER ADULT VOLUNTEERS WHO RECEIVE EXTENSIVE TRAINING AND ONGOING SUPERVISION WITH A LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.
  3. $685,854 spent. ADULT DAY CENTER (ADC): A "SOCIAL" (NOT HEALTH) MODEL, PROVIDING ADULT DAY CARE DURING WEEKDAYS. THE ADC GIVES FAMILY CAREGIVERS NEEDED RESPITE, WITH AN INDIVIDUALIZED APPROACH TO CARE FOR SENIORS, SUPPORTING THOSE WHO MAY HAVE SOME LIMITATIONS DUE TO HEALTH CONDITIONS, INCLUDING THOSE WITH EARLY MEMORY LOSS, ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, OR OTHER IMPAIRMENTS. IN ADDITION TO THE GENERAL PROGRAMMING, THE ADC OFFERS WISEMINDS FOR THOSE WITH EARLY MEMORY LOSS, AS WELL AS A SPANISHLANGUAGE ADULT DAY CARE PROGRAM CALLED SOMOS AMIGOS ("WE ARE FRIENDS").
  4. $1.8 million spent. ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM: PROTECTING SENIORS FROM BECOMING VICTIMS OF FINANCIAL, PHYSICAL, AND/OR EMOTIONAL ABUSE THROUGH EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO SENIORS AND PROFESSIONALS. FIELD BASED WRAP AROUND SERVICES FOR ELDER ABUSE SURVIVORS IN THE GREATER LONG BEACH AREA. SERVICES INCUDE: CASE MANAGEMENT, THERAPY, LEGAL SYSTEM, ADVOCACY, AND SAFETY PLANNING.APS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE CONDUCTS WEEKLY MULTIDISCIPLINARY MEETINGS TO CONSULT AND TAKE ACTION ON THE MOST EGREGIOUS ELDER ABUSE CASES BROUGHT BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND THE OMBUDSMAN.CONGREGATE MEALS PROGRAM: A WEEKDAY LUNCH PROGRAM (CALLED THE DINER) FOR SANTA MONICA SENIOR RESIDENTS OFFERED AT THREE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA (FIRST FLOOR KEN EDWARDS CENTER, ADC ON SECOND FLOOR OF KEN EDWARDS CENTER AND REED PARK).FINANCIAL & HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING: WEEKLY MEDICARE INSURANCE COUNSELING (VIA HICAP), AND AN AARP TAX-AID PROGRAM TO HELP WITH INCOME TAX PREPARATION DURING TAX SEASON.BENEFIT ENROLLMENT: THE CENTER HELPS TO IDENTIFY AND ENROLL ELIGIBLE SANTA MONICA SENIORS INTO VARIOUS PUBLIC BENEFITS PROGRAMS. THE STREAMLINED PROCESS ASSISTS THEM TO OBTAIN NEEDED PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS, MEDICAL CARE, FOOD AND UTILITIES SAVINGS.THE CLUB: A MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM FOR OLDER ADULTS , AGE 50-PLUS ON THE WESTSIDE AND VIRTUALLY. LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE KEN EDWARDS CENTER (WEEKDAYS), THE CLUB OFFERS RECREATIONAL AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING. THE GOAL IS TO HELP RESIDENTS REDUCE SOCIAL ISOLATION AND ENGAGE IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, EXERCISE CLASSES AND OTHER LIFE-LONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1973.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

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