California seniors can get assistance through their local Department of Aging.
Congress passed the Older Americans Act in 1965 to address a lack of community social services for seniors. The original legislation established authority for grants to states for community planning and social services, and research and development projects in the field of aging. The law also established the Administration on Aging to administer these programs, through "area agencies on aging" located in every state throughout the nation, California included. Free services include transportation, nutrition programs, care management, job training, and recreational and social activities.
Getting Help
According to the California Department of Aging, with more than six million seniors residing in the state, California has more seniors than any other state. The California Department of Aging oversees the operation of 59 local area agencies on aging, located throughout the state, to provide community-based, federal, state and locally funded services for seniors. By calling 800-510-2020, from anywhere in the state of California, a senior will be connected with his local agency.
Nutrition Programs
With static or decreasing incomes, many seniors find it difficult to make ends meet, and must often choose between paying necessary bills, buying needed prescription medications and buying food. For many low-income seniors, the only substantial and nutritious food they get are the free lunches available through senior centers. For frail, home-bound seniors, receiving home-delivered lunches can be a vital lifeline for them, especially for those who have few, or no, family and friends to assist them.
Transportation
California is a vast state, and many seniors do not drive or have access to suitable public transportation. Even when public transportation is available, it is difficult to use for some seniors. Transportation programs vary throughout the state, but they generally include door-to-door services that take seniors from their homes to senior centers, grocery stores and medical appointments.
Job Training
With rising costs and little income, some seniors are finding that they are having to return to work after retirement, or enter the workplace for the first time. Finding suitable employment is not easy, and to help ease their path back into the competitive job market, the Senior Community Service Employment Program has been developed to help seniors gain new job skills and training, such as computer skills, while receiving a stipend equivalent to the minimum wage.
Home Care
Many frail seniors require help with their activities of daily living, such as washing, dressing and preparing meals. Getting such help from a private provider or agency can be very expensive. Some low-income seniors qualify for in-home supportive services that provide payment assistance for suitable service providers. Care managers at senior centers can help seniors apply for this help.
Tags: Department Aging, senior centers, state California, agencies aging, agencies aging located, aging located, area agencies
