…Meeting the needs of our County’s older population.

Our Mission is to provide leadership in addressing issues that relate to older Californians, to develop community-based systems of care that provide services which support independence within California’s interdependent society, and which protects the qualify of life of older adults and persons with functional impairments, and to promote citizen involvement in the planning and delivery of service.

The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) was formed in 1975 by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors to develop a system of care and support for adults aged 60 and older and adults with disabilities to lead independent and dignified lives in their own homes for as long as possible. Committed to identifying services and meeting unmet needs, the AAA works to coordinate existing programs and develop new services, by partnering with community organizations and pursuing funding resources which would help to enhance or create new programs.

Caring for Seniors

ADULT DAY CARE
Adult Day Care is a social weekday program, which provides quality personal care and stimulating activities in a supervised and protective setting for dependent adults aged 60 and older. Meals and snacks are provided and individualized plans of care are developed for each participant.

ALZHEIMER’S DAY CARE AND RESOURCE CENTER
Adults with moderate to severe stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementia participate in daytime programs designed to improve or maintain levels of functioning. Caring professional staff provides supervision and care to participants, as well as respite, support, resources, and training to caregivers and family members.

LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN
Ombudsman services include complaint investigation and resolution services to residents over the age of 60 residing in skilled nursing homes and residential care facilities.

FAMILY CAREGIVER PROVIDER PROGRAM
AAA implemented a family caregiver provider program, which addresses the specific needsof family members who provide care to an elderly relative. Through a network of agencies, family caregivers are provided with respite services, resource information, counseling, assistive living devices, and services to grandparents who are providing custodial care to a child.

LINKAGES CASE MANAGEMENT
The services provided by Linkages staff are designed to prevent or delay the premature or inappropriate institutionalization of frail older persons and adults 18 years of age or older with disabilities, by providing ongoing case management services to eligible clients. The emphasis in Linkages is on locating, coordinating and monitoring service needs.

FRIENDLY VISITORS
Volunteers provide home visiting services to the frail elderly, and those who are isolated and homebound. The goal of the program is to reduce the risk of inappropriate institutionalization and provide comfort and reassurance.

ASSISTED TRANSPORTATION
Volunteers in East County provide assistance with transportation by running errands or transporting seniors to various appointments, shopping, or other needed trips, which would not be possible without this service.

IN-HOME REGISTRY
AAA provides an In-Home Services Registry to frail, elderly persons in Contra Costa County to reduce the risk of diminishing capacities to perform essential household and personal care tasks. The program recruits, screens and matches the providers with the clients.

Meal Programs

CONGREGATE MEALS
Our Senior Nutrition Program serves an average of 16,000 meals a month at 21 different sites called “Cafes” throughout Contra Costa County. Transportation is provided to these centers for those who cannot drive to a site on their own. A registered dietician presents nutritional education programs at each of the congregate meal sites.

BROWN BAG PROGRAM
The Brown Bag Program serves approximately 1,700 low-income seniors aged 60 and older by providing bags of groceries twice a month. Each bag contains various items of surplus or donated foods. For ease of access, 16 distribution sites have been established, which are located in East, West, and Central County.

HOME DELIVERED MEALS
More than 2,000 homebound seniors over 60 receive home delivered meals at least five days a week through the Senior Nutrition Program. On average, 19,000 meals are delivered each month to all areas of the county, from Richmond to Brentwood.

Consultation Services

HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM (HICAP)
Seniors and disabled people can receive free assistance with Medicare concerns, paperwork involving medical bills and claims, HMO’s, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, nursing home insurance and legal appeals.

HICAP provides individual counseling at convenient locations in Contra Costa County or at a person’s home, if needed. The counselors also help with problems regarding denial of medical care, insurance policy analysis and prescription drug coverage. HICAP is a program of the California Department of Aging and Contra Costa County.

Legal Services

Consultation, advice, administrative representation and advocacy by attorneys and legal support staff are available to individuals aged 60 and older with law-related problems.

Community Advocacy

AAA ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING
The Council may have up to 40 members who advise AAA and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. They act as advocates for older people and review the funding of program operations for seniors. Call AAA at (925) 335-8700 if you are interested in becoming a member of the Council.

SENIOR COALITIONS
AAA provides grass root economic support to three senior coalitions serving the western, central and eastern geographical regions of the county. The coalitions provide services specifically tailored to meet the needs and interests of their particular constituency.

ACUTE AND LONG-TERM CARE INTEGRATION PROJECT
Someday, a single phone call will mobilize a multi-disciplinary team who, working in partnership with the consumer will facilitate the medical as well as the home and community based services necessary for an aged, medically fragile or disabled adult to remain independent. No longer will services be fragmented and duplicated. Consumers will be able to access the full continuum of medical, social and support services. ACUTE and LONG-TERM CARE INTEGRATION is a collaborative effort of the Employment and Human Services and Health Services Departments through Aging & Adult Services and the Contra Costa Health Plan. The services will be funded by redirecting and pooling existing long-term care Medi-Cal funds and consolidating existing programs into a seamless, capitated continuum of services.

CONTRA COSTA FOR EVERY GENERATION
Contra Costa for Every Generation is a countywide effort of over 300 community stakeholders, who have joined together to make our communities good places to
age—supporting our aspirations to stay healthy, live independently and lead full and productive lives.

The Contra Costa County Area Agency on Aging is a partner in this effort. For additional information on the For Every Generation Program, go to www.foreverygeneration.org.

INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE
Information and Assistance provides seniors and their families with information on community services and programs that help solve the problems faced by our older population. By linking people with appropriate services, the program empowers them to make good choices and enhance the quality of their lives.

Services rendered include telephone counseling regarding available resources. Staff maintains up-to-date computer resource listings on areas of concern such as housing, transportation, caregiving, adult day care programs, help in the home, and health issues. Information and Assistance provides resource guides,
fact sheets and helpful literature.

Information and Assistance staff makes presentations to community groups on age-related topics, resources and services.

SENIOR MOBILITY PROJECT
Mobility is the key to an independent life, and to one’s ability to age in place. The staff of the Senior Mobility Project is focused on improving transportation for seniors and the disabled in Contra Costa County, particularly for those who no longer drive. The Senior Mobility Project produced the “Way To Go, Contra Costa” transportation guide (available online at www.ehsd.org/waytogo) and is working throughout the county to coordinate and expand transportation options for seniors.

Resources

SENIOR INFORMATION NEWSLETTER
The Area Agency on Aging publishes a Senior Information Newsletter four times per year. Articles include topics about issues and activities that are of concern to seniors in Contra Costa County. These include available services and programs, up-coming changes at the state and federal level, and local calendar of events. To obtain a free copy please call (800) 510-2020 (within Contra Costa County) or (925) 229-8434 (outside Contra Costa County) and ask to
be put on the mailing list.

NETWORK OF CARE RESOURCE WEBSITE
A website with everything for seniors, people with disabilities, and caregivers to obtain information on services, care giving, assistive devices, diseases, legislation and up to the minute news concerning Aging and Adult Services: www.contracosta.networkofcare.org

NEW CCTV PROGRAM: “THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE”
AAA in partnership with CCTV, produces a program entitled:
“The Time of Your Life.” A professional broadcast journalist hosts this program focusing on preventive health, nutrition, exercise and the importance of staying active in order to show seniors how they can improve and/or maintain their health and prevent disease by taking an active and healthy approach to aging.

INFO VAN
Our Info Van can go directly to your neighborhood to show videos, distribute resource literature offered in various languages and provide on-the-spot information and referral services. To invite the InfoVan to your community, call (800) 510-2020.

We assist adults and people with disabilities to maximize self-sufficiency, safety and independence.

For more information on AAA or other programs offered in our community, please call Information and Assistance (I & A):

(800) 510-2020 for Contra Costa County Residents ONLY
(925) 229-8434 *Outside Contra Costa County
(*800# will only reach the I & A located in the County you call from)

John Cottrell , Director
Aging & Adult Services
A Bureau of the Employment & Human Services Department

Contra Costa County Area Agency on Aging

2530 Arnold Dr., Suite 300
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 229-8434
Fax (925) 335-8717