ACC Care Center Archives - ACC Senior Services

Celebrating 100 Years of Life: The Story of Wing Kwong

Selene Andrade — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:09:09 +0000

A century of kindness, family, hard work, and memories worth celebrating

At ACC Senior Services, we believe every older adult has a story worth knowing and celebrating. A lifetime is made up of countless moments—family gatherings, friendships, traditions, challenges overcome, favorite pastimes, and lessons passed from one generation to the next.

Few milestones capture the richness of a life quite like 100 years.

Today we celebrate ACC Care Center resident Wing Kwong, whose remarkable journey has taken him across countries, through generations, and through a century filled with family, hard work, resilience, and joy.

A Journey Across Continents

Wing was born in India to an Indian mother and Chinese father, giving him a unique heritage that has been an important part of his life story.

In 1971, Wing made his way from China to America, beginning a new chapter and building a life in the United States. He eventually spent many years working as a cook at Frank Fat’s before retiring.

Through his working years, Wing was known as a hardworking businessman and dedicated family man. His journey reflects the courage it takes to begin anew, build a life in a new country, and create a lasting foundation for those who come after you.

Family: His Greatest Legacy

Ask Wing about what matters most, and his family is at the center of his story.

Today, his family spans an extraordinary five generations, including:

8 children
16 grandchildren
17 great-grandchildren
1 great-great-grandchild

Five generations represent more than a family tree. They represent memories shared, traditions carried forward, stories told and retold, and values passed from one generation to the next.

For Wing, reaching 100 means having the remarkable opportunity to witness his family continue to grow—and to see the legacy of his life reflected in those he loves.

The Wisdom of a Century

When asked about the secret to living 100 years, Wing doesn’t offer a complicated formula.

His advice is simple:

“Be a good person, be an honest person, and be a nice person.”

There is something powerful about such straightforward wisdom.

Wing is known for his positive and humble spirit. He is someone who doesn’t complain and approaches life with kindness and grace.

After a century of experiences, his message reminds us that a meaningful life isn’t necessarily measured by accomplishments or possessions. Sometimes, it is measured by how we treat the people around us and the difference we make in their lives.

Finding Joy Along the Way

A life well lived also leaves plenty of room for the things that bring us joy.

For Wing, one of those joys has always been fishing. But he didn’t stop at catching the fish—he enjoyed cooking his catch, combining two of his favorite pastimes.

Music has also brought Wing happiness throughout his life. He enjoys Chinese music, karaoke, and Chinese opera, creating opportunities to sing, celebrate, and share joyful moments with others.

These passions are a wonderful reminder that aging is not about leaving behind the things we love. It is about continuing to find meaning, connection, and enjoyment in the activities that bring us happiness.

Strength Through Life’s Challenges

A century inevitably brings challenges as well as celebrations.

Wing’s journey includes an especially remarkable chapter: he overcame pancreatic cancer without undergoing treatment. His experience is another part of a life characterized by strength and resilience.

Through life’s challenges, Wing has continued forward with a caring spirit and positive outlook.

His story reminds us that longevity is about more than the number of years we live. It is about the experiences we gather, the relationships we nurture, the challenges we face, and the memories we create along the way.

Celebrating a Life Well Lived

At ACC Senior Services, we know that every older adult brings a lifetime of experiences, knowledge, traditions, and wisdom to our community. Celebrating those stories helps us recognize the incredible contributions older adults make to their families and communities.

Wing Kwong’s 100 years offer a beautiful example.

His legacy can be found in his five generations of family. It can be heard in the music he loves. It can be remembered in the meals he prepared and the work he devoted himself to. And it can be felt in the simple values he continues to share: be good, be honest, and be nice.

One hundred years is an extraordinary milestone—but Wing’s story shows us that the true measure of a life is not simply how long it lasts.

It is how fully it is lived and how many lives it touches along the way.

Happy 100th Birthday, Wing!

From all of us at ACC Senior Services, we celebrate this incredible milestone and the remarkable life behind it.

Here’s to 100 years of family, memories, resilience, music, fishing, cooking, kindness—and a legacy that will continue for generations to come.

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ACC Care Center Earns Prestigious 5-Star Overall Rating From Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

ACC Senior Services — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:00:00 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2026

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — ACC Senior Services is proud to announce that the ACC Care Center has earned the highest possible 5-Star Overall Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a distinction that recognizes excellence in quality of care, staffing, and health inspections.

According to CMS official release, the updated Five-Star Quality Ratings are expected to appear on the Medicare Care Compare website on or around July 29, 2026. ACC Senior Services is pleased to share this achievement with its residents, families, employees, and the greater Sacramento community.

“Achieving five stars represents more than a rating. It reflects the trust we build, the lives we touch, and the excellent care we deliver every day,” said Kristy Moore, Director of Nursing at ACC Care Center.

The CMS Five-Star Quality Rating System – one of the nation’s most trusted measures of nursing home quality – assists families make informed decisions when choosing care for their loved ones. Facilities are evaluated across three key areas: health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. An overall 5-Star rating signifies that ACC Care Center performs well above average in delivering skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, placing it among the nation’s highest-performing skilled nursing facilities.

“This achievement reflects the unwavering dedication, compassion, and professionalism of every member of our Care Center team,” said Jill Hays, Interim President & CEO of ACC Senior Services. “This recognition reinforces our commitment to clinical excellence, person-centered care, and continuous improvement.”

“We are incredibly proud of our entire Care Center Team and grateful for the trust our residents and families place in us every day,” said Heidi Wheeler, Administrator of ACC Care Center.

Located in Sacramento’s Pocket neighborhood, ACC Care Center has served the community for 39 years, providing skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, and long-term custodial care in a culturally welcoming environment. ACC Senior Services has served older adults and their families throughout the greater Sacramento region for more than 50 years, remaining committed to its mission of enriching lives through compassionate care and innovative programs.

ACC Senior Services remains committed to continuously enhancing the quality of care and services it provides while fostering a welcoming, compassionate environment where older adults can thrive.

About ACC Senior Services:

ACC Senior Services is a community-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults through high-quality programs, senior housing, and care services. Serving the greater Sacramento region for over 53 years, ACC provides a continuum of care that promotes independence, wellness, and community connection.

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ACC Care Center Earns 4-Star Rating from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Scott Okamoto — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:04:14 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ACC Care Center Earns 4-Star Rating from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Sacramento, CA — [22 April, 2026] — ACC Senior Services is proud to announce that the ACC Care Center, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, has been awarded a 4-star rating by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a significant recognition of the organization’s commitment to high-quality care and continuous improvement in skilled nursing services.

The CMS Five-Star Quality Rating System is a nationally recognized benchmark designed to help families evaluate nursing homes based on quality and performance. Ratings are determined through a comprehensive assessment that includes health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures such as patient outcomes and care practices. Facilities are rated on a scale of one to five stars, with five being the highest.

A 4-star rating indicates above-average performance and reflects strong results across key areas, including successful health inspections, effective staffing, and measurable improvements in resident care and safety.

“I’m excited and proud to share an incredible accomplishment — our facility has achieved a 4-star rating,” said Heidi Wheeler, LVN, ACC Care Center Administrator. “A 4-star rating is not just a number — it represents improved outcomes, strong survey performance, and a culture of accountability. This milestone reflects the dedication, compassion, and hard work that each of our staff brings every day. Providing quality care in skilled nursing takes teamwork, consistency, and heart, and this recognition is a direct result of our commitment to excellence.”

ACC Senior Services Interm CEO Jill Hays also celebrated the achievement, emphasizing its impact on the broader community. “This 4-star recognition is a testament to ACC’s unwavering commitment to those we serve”, shared Hays, “Our Care Center team consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that every resident receives compassionate, person-centered care. We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment and remain focused on continuing to raise the bar for quality and innovation in senior care.”

The CMS rating system is updated regularly to reflect the most current data available, ensuring transparency and accountability across the healthcare industry. The ACC Care Center’s achievement demonstrates its ongoing efforts to enhance care delivery, prioritize resident well-being, and meet rigorous federal standards.

For more than 50 years, ACC Senior Services has served the Sacramento region with a mission to support older adults in living with dignity, independence, and connection. The ACC Care Center remains a vital part of that mission, offering skilled nursing and rehabilitation services in a compassionate and supportive environment.

About ACC Senior Services
ACC Senior Services is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults through high-quality programs, housing, and care services. Serving the greater Sacramento region, ACC provides a continuum of care that promotes independence, wellness, and community connection.

Media Contact:
Scott Okamoto
Director of Marketing and Fund Development, ACC Senior Services
(916) 931-5561
info@accsv.org
www.accsv.org

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Volunteers Refresh ACC Care Center Planter Boxes

Bill Wong — Thu, 15 May 2025 04:44:54 +0000

Many families and ACC supporters are seeing positive changes at ACC’s Care Center on Rush River Drive under the leadership of its new administrator Heidi Wheeler and ACC’s Pres. & CEO Connie Rusynyk. Recognized by US News and World Report as one of the BEST in the nation for both Short-term and Long-term Care, the ACC Care Center is one of three Sacramento skilled nursing communities to receive this notable dual recognition in 2025.

While many great updates are happening inside the Care Center, 33 cheerful volunteers showed up with tools in hand and spent a sunny Saturday morning outside of the Care Center freshening up the planters behind the garden gazebo. Powered by donuts from Manley’s and BBQ pork buns from Dim Dim Bakery, these volunteers pulled weeds, pruned rose bushes, tilled the soil, laid mulch, and planted geraniums, marigolds, begonias, lemon thyme, and pineapple basil donated by Green Acres Nursery and Supply in Elk Grove. Seasoned local gardeners Lorna “The General” Fong and Sally Phelan helped instruct and direct the eager volunteers. Lorna and Sally also went to work fixing the aging drip irrigation system. After three short hours the planters looked amazing and in a few weeks ACC’s residents and their families will be able to enjoy some bright and colorful blooms and the fragrant scents of lemon, thyme, basil, and pineapple.

Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy joined Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen who brought her two daughters and a crew of her dedicated district staff to pitch in as well. Special thanks to the volunteers from ARI, Inc., the Asian Pacific Islander Capital Association, and the following individuals for volunteering on this project: Rejie Baloyos, Michael Burckhard, Cynthia Curral, Lorna Fong, Joseph Garilli, Alexis Giang, Lily Ha, Samapreet Kaur, Patrick Kenedy, Margie Lie, Derrick Lim, Akenese Luluga, Leutu Luluga, Jim McRitchie, Zach Morris, John Nam, Leslie Sakai Nesley, Hana Nguyen, Lana Nguyen, Stephanie Nguyen, Farhad Noorzada, Anthony Pham, Sally Phelan, Bev Shimizu, Sylvia Tang, Ryan Tomlinson, Tai Tuioti, Bill Wong, Lynn Yamamoto, Hach Yasumura, Myra Young, and Eric Yuan.

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ACC Care Center named one of the Best in the nation for 2025 – US News & World Report

Scott Okamoto — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:46:27 +0000

ACC Care Center has been recognized as a Best Nursing Home for 2025 by U.S. News & World Report. ACC Care Center has received recognition for both Short-term and Long-term Care and is one of only 3 Sacramento Skilled Nursing communities to receive dual recognition.

Since 2009, U.S. News’ annual Best Nursing Homes ratings have assisted American families in need of either short-term rehabilitation or long-term care for themselves or a loved one.

ACC Care Center earned its U.S. News Best Nursing Home status by achieving a rating of “High Performing,” the highest possible rating, for Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care. U.S. News gives the designation of Best Nursing Home only to those that satisfy U.S. News’ proprietary assessment of consistent performance in quality measures.

Heidi Wheeler LNHA, RCFE, LVN, ACC Care Center Administrator:
“I’m honored and immensely proud of the caring team at ACC Care Center for earning top honors in this thorough national review of nursing home quality. ACC Care Center has a robust training program that focuses on our mission to provide compassionate, person-centered care that celebrates our cultural diversity and promotes the highest quality of care to our residents in a homelike environment. With higher nurse to resident ratios our nursing team can spend more time with residents providing them with attentive, genuine care. Having more staff on hand and our Medical Director onsite regularly allows the team to be proactive vs reactive which results in better outcomes and fewer visits to the emergency room.”

Dr. Scott Stringer MD, Sutter Physician and Medical Director of ACC Care Center:
“As the Medical Director, I am incredibly proud of our commitment to providing the highest quality of care, reflected in the prestigious recognition from U.S. News & World Report. A cornerstone of our success is the thoughtful and strategic reduction in the use of antipsychotic medications. By prioritizing individualized care plans, promoting non-pharmacologic interventions, and fostering a deep understanding of behavioral health needs, we have significantly enhanced the well-being and safety of our residents. This achievement underscores our dedication to innovation, compassion, and setting a benchmark for excellence in skilled nursing care.”

Connie L. Rusynyk, President and CEO of ACC Senior Services:
“I have worked in hundreds of Nursing Homes throughout my career, and the Care Center is one that is remarkable. What makes the Care Center so different? The community, the staff and the families involved make the Care Center such a special place for our elderly to call home! The community involvement is unlike anything that I have ever seen. The families are so actively involved with the Care Center, whether they have family or friends living in the Care Center or not. Our medical director, Dr. Scott Stringer, not only takes excellent care of each resident, but Dr. Stringer cares deeply about residents, families, and staff. I am proud of the work we do at the Care Center and the team of dedicated healthcare professionals that take such extraordinary care of our most fragile members of our community!”

For the 2025 edition, U.S. News evaluated nearly 15,000 nursing homes on patient and resident outcomes, such as infection rates; staffing levels; potentially inappropriate reliance on antipsychotic drugs; health inspection results and other indicators of quality.
“U.S. News’ Best Nursing Homes ratings put patient well-being at the forefront and provide families with the objective information they need to make confident decisions about their loved ones’ care,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “These annual ratings recognize U.S. nursing homes that deliver high-quality care, earning consistent positive outcomes, and support American families in finding local nursing homes that prioritize safety and wellbeing.”

To calculate the Best Nursing Homes ratings, U.S. News evaluated each nursing home’s performance using a variety of quality measures obtained from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The U.S. News methodology factors data such as resident care, safety and outcomes. Both short- and long-term ratings include data on nurse staffing, use of antipsychotic drugs and success in preventing ER and hospital visits. The long-term care rating also includes measures of whether a home changed ownership and how well it was staffed on weekends.

For more information, visit USNews.com and explore #BestNursingHomes on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

ACC Care Center
Skilled Nursing and Short-Term Rehabilitation
7801 Rush River Dr, Sacramento, CA 95831
accsv.org

About ACC Senior Services
For over 50-years, ACC Senior Services (formerly known as The Asian Community Center of Sacramento Valley) has been dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults and family caregivers.
We promote the general welfare and enhance the quality of life of our community by offering specially designed, culturally sensitive services, programs and classes for older adults in the Sacramento region.
ACC offers a full continuum of supportive services from Home and Community-Based Programs to our Residential Living and Care Communities.
ACC Senior Services is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.

About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.

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