Wise & Healthy Aging

Glowing reviews… I must speak up. I wasted my money joining Wise Connect, a merger of Club 1527 and Wise Connnection, run by W&H Aging in Santa Monica. I live in Culver City, and their newsletter says they «serve» West LA, Culver City, Brentwood, Marina Del Rey, etc.
However, almost ALL of their activities are held at the Ken Edwards Center at 1527 4rth Street in Santa Monica. TERRIBLE intersection, one of the busiest and WORST intersections in Santa Monica. The parking is miserable too. Unless you either live in Santa Monica, or you don’t mind driving there, I don’t recommend this at all.
They will pick you up, but they take you back to KE Center, not directly to the venue. It’s a wasted trip. You arrive and depart via that center.
They do have good classes, for the most part. But it’s in Santa Monica. I think the newsletter is misleading, as «serving» must mean the concierge service only, not the social events. The concierge is when they give you referrals to vetted vendors, if you need one. Good thing to offer, but unfortunately I haven’t been using as much as I thought I would.
They asked me for a donation, on top of notifying me of having to pay an additional $ 20 for the Club 1527 (which I don’t want to use) when my membership expires. Also, I «fell through the cracks» 3 times: Once when registering, once in getting a friendly phone call, and once in registering for the Club 1527 which was required. They got the paperwork mixed up, and they cashed my check quickly but I had to CALL THEM to find out what’s going on. No welcome letter, no newsletter, nothing. AM I a member or not?
Most of the time, I get voice mail and have to wait for a call back. And sometimes I get one, sometimes no. They only have 2 staff members and 2 volunteers in the office for Wise Connect. And not enough active volunteers for the kind of services they supposedly offer. It is also limited to business hours during weekdays. You can’t call on Saturday for example, and request help moving your furniture since you’re getting new carpet. Not happening.
I’m not a well-​to-​do senior. They have many trips, but they are COSTLY – most of them. Departs from the KE’s center as usual. The cancellation policy is very strict.
Their original membership fee for one year for one person was about $ 500. Really? In 2014, they created 3 tiers of membership. The cheapest was $ 150. And with that you only get 2 rides per year (to the doctor, airport, etc)
They need a week’s notice for transportation requests, and 2 weeks notice for help around the house. I really needed a service like this, esp. since you must be 55 for most senior services (I’m 54). But I’m really, really disappointed.
I only went to one event so far, and it looks like I won’t be going to anymore. The book discussion group looks good to me, but again — -they meet in Santa Monica.
Once again, I start my quest for membership like this, but closer to home. Except for one event, none of the social events take place in any venue other than the KE Center.
I couldn’t find «Wise Connections» (old name) or «Wise Connect (new name) in a Google search, but this works since Wise and Healthy Aging actually runs the program. (Just like the Adult Day Care Center) Culver City Senior Center has a much better variety of classes. For one thing, they have many art classes.
Wise and Healthy itself has many good resources, but this program Wise Connect, needs improvement. Or at least be honest and say almost everything is centered around the KE Center.
W & H does offer some support groups that meet at the CC Senior Center, but you have to be 55. (You only have to be 50 to join the center) And they want money. Last time I checked, they wanted $ 2 per session. They didn’t state in the newsletter you have to be 55, so I ended up being kicked out since I’m too young.

There are lots of great classes: yoga/​meditation/​chi gong/​cribbage, and Wise and Healthy Aging has helped me with benefits counseling, dial a ride and a lot more
Wise Connect, help with my taxes i love these guys

I am a member of WISE & Healthy Aging’s social and recreational program, Club 1527. Their offerings include a variety of physical classes, brain fitness programs, social, musical concerts, parties, special lectures, and personal growth workshops,
This non-​profit also offers an adult day service center, informational and referral services, benefits counseling, and mental health programs. WISE & Healthy Aging is a one stop service for anyone over 50.

Its relaxing and the senior citizens are super nice, they smile everyday, and they even take fitness classes here. It’s a great place.