Care Management:

Our care managers visit clients in their home to help solve a specific problem; such as having a broken heater and not knowing who to call, or to more generally help them evaluate the challenges they face in living independently. Perhaps a client may need help in house cleaning, or a home delivered meal, or finding someone to take them to the doctor’s office. With the elder in control, our case managers begin to make contact with services which will assist them in remaining successfully in their own home. Family members and neighbors may refer clients to the Council on Aging and remain anonymous. No charge – donation accepted.

Additional information about Care Management Services.

Information & Assistance
Finding accurate information about the kinds of help that’s available for seniors, and how to go about getting it, can be daunting for seniors and those caring for them. Last year, Council on Aging staff assisted over 25,000 callers with information on appropriate services for elders in Sonoma County and help for families whose senior is out of town. No charge, donation accepted. Call 707-525-0143 for Information and Assistance or email information@councilonaging.com.

Council on Aging’s Senior Care Coordination Program provides senior advocacy based care management by experienced, credentialed staff. It is our mission to provide an individualized care plan, which seeks to reflect and preserve the senior’s values and lifestyle choices while maximizing opportunities for positive change and maintaining quality of life. We will develop and maintain care plans on a reasonable, fee-for-service basis. For more information program, call 707-525-0143, ext. 117 or ext. 108.

Financial Services
Our bonded and insured counselors assist seniors who are unable to handle bill paying, checkbook reconciliation, eligibility documentation for retirement programs, and other financial needs relative to their daily money management. This program is especially designed for the forgetful senior or the senior with poor vision, and often protects them from financial abuse and late fees associated with forgetting to pay their bills. Fee for service ranges from $50 to $85 per hour depending on the type of service required.

Additional information about Financial Services.

Meals on Wheels
A nutritious meal, designed to meet one-third of the daily requirements for senior nutrition, is delivered to the homes of seniors who, due to frail health, are unable to shop and/or cook for themselves. In addition to the nutritional benefit, this program provides a daily wellness check for seniors. No charge, suggested donation of $4 per meal.

Additional information about Meals on Wheels

Senior Dining Rooms
Council on Aging has senior dining sites throughout Sonoma County, that enables seniors to have a meal in fellowship five days each week. Serving the same meal as those delivered to the homes of Meals on Wheels recepients, this program is designed for more well-aging seniors wishing to have entertainment and/or a chat with others along with lunch. No charge, suggested donation of $4.00.

Additional information about Senior Dining Rooms.

Senior Social Clubs
This two- to three- day per week program is designed for the senior who, before experiencing physical limitations often associated with advanced age such as arthritis, small stroke, mild heart attack, poor vision or diminished hearing, enjoyed group activities of the well aging. People who attended senior centers, lodges, retirement groups, played golf or were involved with church or synagogue activities are our typical participants.

Council on Aging provides therapeutic, recreational and educational programs, as well as a fresh, nutritious lunch, for this senior population in small group settings in Sonoma, Sebastopol, Healdsburg and now in Santa Rosa. No charge, donation accepted at $35.00 a day.

Additional information about Senior Social Clubs.

Friendly Visitor
This program is designed for the lonely senior who could benefit from a visit once each week. Since many of our clients are well into their 80s and 90s, the visits are often no more than 20 minutes–long enough to let them know someone cares about them but not so long as to wear them out. Seniors eligible for this program often have no relatives in the area and often have outlived their friends. No charge for this service and no donation sought. Friendly Visitor volunteers are interviewed, screened and have background checks. For more information on Friendly Visitor, call Don Deffenbaugh at 525-0143 ext. 125 or email him at ddeffenbaugh@councilonaging.com.

Legal Services
Council on Aging has on staff a two part-time attorneys, two volunteer attorneys, and one paralegal who provide legal services to seniors. Priority appointments are given to physical and financial abuse, tenant/landlord problems, and consumer fraud issues. NOTE:  We cannot accept drop-ins, please call for an appointment, 525-0143 ext. 140.

Additional information about Legal Services.

Lawyer Referral Services
If you are a Sonoma County resident 60 years old or older, and need an attorney, this Council on Aging service offers a panel of elder law attorneys experienced and interested in working with seniors. An initial half-hour consultation is $30, however, there is no consultation fee charged for personal injury cases or Social Security appeals. If you retain the attorney for additional services, fees charged will be at the attorney’s usual rate which you will negotiate directly with the attorney. The service is certified by the California State Bar, Certification Number 0111.

Additional information about Lawyer Referral Services.

Senior Helper List
As of March 2011, we no longer have this list available.

Sonoma Valley Respite
Clients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias attend this Friday only program, giving a rest to family caregivers in the Sonoma area. Staff and volunteers provide nearly one-on-one care for clients during the therapeutic and recreational program and hot lunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No charge for this service; donations gladly accepted.

Additional information about Sonoma Valley Respite.

Senior Peer Supporters
Sponsored by the Sonoma County Department of Mental Health, this volunteer program is designed for seniors who are suffering from various mental health issues. Volunteers are trained to help clients help themselves. Twelve to twenty-four weeks of assistance are provided to each client. Volunteers are supervised by a licensed, clinical social worker.

For additional information on this program, please call Don Deffenbaugh at 525-0143 ext. 125 or email him at ddeffenbaugh@councilonaging.com.