For information on any of the below listed services please call Helplink at: 1-800-510-2020

Adult Day Care

Adult Day Care Services provide non-medical care for dependent adults in a supervised, protective, setting during some portion of a 24-hour day. Services offered in conjunction with adult day care/ adult day health typically include social and recreational activities, training, counseling, meals during adult day care, services such as rehabilitation, medication assistance and home health aide services for adult day health. This program is for persons who are at risk of institutionalization.

Aging & Disability Resource Connection Program (ADRC)

On May 1, 2008, the California Department of Social Services awarded the Riverside County Office on Aging (OoA) a multi-year grant for the development of a California Aging and Disability Resource Connection program (CAL ADRC). The OoA, in partnership with Community Access Center, will coordinate the program implementation and achievement of goals and objectives to move toward an integrated system of connecting services and information about aging and living with disability in Riverside County.

Care Coordination

Seniors and persons with disabilities wanting to live independently in the community often face many challenges due to increasing frailty, chronic medical conditions, functional disabilities, limited income, a stressed and overwhelmed family caregiver, depression from multiple losses, lack of knowledge of community resources and services, a limited support network, gaps in services, are among many factors that may limit their independence and ability to live safely in the community.  Care Coordination services can offer a viable alternative to institutional care and provide seniors, persons with disabilities and family caregivers the opportunity to explore multiple community options for care in the home.  Trained social workers and public health nurses are available to conduct comprehensive in-home evaluations of needs and assist individuals and their family caregivers to navigate a complex community care system that will provide valuable linkages to services that serve to enhance and sustain an individual’s independence at home and reduce the risk of premature or inappropriate nursing home placement.  Riverside County Office on Aging offers a full continuum of care coordination programs including:

• Multiple Senior Services Program (MSSP): A Medi-Cal Waiver program designed to meet the needs of frail Medi-Cal eligible seniors.
• CareLink Program: Services targeted to seniors and disabled individuals over eighteen years of age who want to remain at home.
• Access Program: Short-term program targeted to explore care options and community services for seniors and adults with disabilities.
• Family Caregiver Support Program: Provides support and resources to caregivers so they can continue to provide vital services for their loved ones.
• Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program: A unique program that provides assessment, advocacy and service linkages for grandparents and their grandchildren.

One call will link you to these vital care coordination services. Our trained HelpLink staff will connect you to the services and care coordination program that addresses your unique situation and need.
Within Riverside County Call: (800) 510-2020
Outside Riverside County Call: (951) 867-3800
 

Caregiving

As part of the National Family Caregiver Support Program, under the Older American’s Act, the Office on Aging provides support to caregivers who are caring for grandchildren and/ or older adults, and coordinates services to develop a system that is comprehensive and useful.

Services provided include:

• Advocacy
• Care Management
• Caregiver Education
• Counseling
• Child Care Assistance
• Respite
• In Home Assistance and Supplemental Services

Eligibility for these and other services may vary.

Community Education

Riverside County Office on Aging offers education through a variety of innovative programs: The Info Van is an exciting program designed to help older adults and adults with functional limitations to remain as healthy and independent as possible for as long as possible. There are three Info Vans that serve Riverside County:

• The Info Vans provide quality information and referrals, including on-site computer access to service information.  Focused assistance is available to anyone in Riverside County who provides care and support for older adults and adults with functional limitations. For Western Info Van schedules, click here. For  Eastern Info Van schedules, click here. 
• The Nutrition Info Van promotes Senior Nutrition Programs and education related to dietary practices.  For the Nutrition Info Van schedule, click here.  

Community Elder Abuse Education

The purpose of Community Elder Abuse Education is to safeguard older adults from abuse, neglect, or exploitation by offering public education, outreach and referrals, and by receiving and investigating complaints.

Disease Prevention

Health Guide/Medication Management Program: The Health Guide/Medication Management Program was developed to educate seniors about the potential risks attributed to improper use of medications and to provide a health tracking system. The program encourages seniors to keep a record of the medications they use and their medical conditions in order to assist a health practitioner or family member who may be helping them in an emergency. These two focuses of the program are aimed at decreasing unnecessary fatalities in the county and improving the health and well-being of the senior population.

Fit After 50:

The Fit After 50 Program offers exercise increase strength and mobility for seniors.
Advantages of Strength Training:

• Lower body strength is important for getting out of a chair, bathtub, or car, walking or climbing stairs, and reducing risks for falls.
• Upper body strength is important for activities such as household chores, carrying groceries, lifting a suitcase, or picking up a grandchild.
  • Strengthens bones
  • Halts osteoporosis
  • Reduces risks of falls
  • Improves balance and flexibility
  • Relieves arthritis symptoms
  • Restores strength
  • Increases independence
  • Improves safety in the home.

NO cost classes are offered throughout Riverside County. For information and registration contact the Office on Aging at: 1-800-510-2020

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

The goal of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) Task Force is to address the multiple, complex issues faced by grandparents who have taken the responsibility of primary caregiver so that their grandchildren may live safely and with a sense of belonging. The program provides a central point of access for information and linkages to available services among county programs and the community at large. The Task Force also serves to identify needs and resources; collect data and advocate on behalf of grandparents to further meet their needs through case management, support groups, child care subsidies, and education.

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)

HICAP provides information and assistance with Medicare, managed care (HMOs), long-term care insurance and other related health insurance issues. Trained volunteer counselors offer objective information to help seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries make good health care decisions. When problems arise, HICAP counselors can help resolve them. Along with local individual counseling, HICAP offers community education presentations. All services are free of charge. For information regarding access to our HICAP program click here.

Legal Assistance

The Legal Assistance Program ensures the rights and entitlements of persons sixty (60) years of age or older by providing or securing legal assistance such as: information, advice, counseling, administrative representation and judicial representation to an individual or to a group. Legal representation is provided by a member of the California State Bar or a non-attorney under the supervision and control of a member of the California State Bar.

Network of Care

Network of Care is a comprehensive, Internet-based resource for the elderly and people with disabilities, as well as their caregivers and service providers. Among the wealth of information and resources contained in this dynamic interactive web site, users can get assistance with medications, search for services, use the health library, search for assistive devices, link to city, county, state and federal governments, track legislation and give feedback to legislators, complete and print a personalized emergency care card, use a password protected personal folder to keep track of medical information and store personally selected resources.  www.riverside.networkofcare.org is a portal into a new world of web-based services and supports for seniors, persons with disabilities, caregivers and service providers.

Nutrition

Congregate and home-delivered meals are provided to persons sixty (60) years of age or older and spouses of someone 60 or older.  Congregate service is available at over 20 sites throughout Riverside County.  The Home Delivered Meals Program is for persons who may be at nutrition risk with transportation or health issues that would prevent them from accessing a Congregate Meal Program site or prevent them from taking care of their own nutritional needs. For more information regarding our program call: 1-800-510-2020

Ombudsman Services (Facility Visits)

Volunteers are trained to provide advocacy and support to vulnerable individuals in nursing homes. This includes record review, one-on-one client meetings, follow-up, and investigating and resolving a complaint to make sure that seniors are getting the treatment they deserve and the care that they need. For more information regarding the Ombudsman Program or for opportunities to volunteer call: 1-800-510-2020

Personal Care/ Homemaker Services

Nursing, therapies, and personal care services are provided by nurses, licensed allied health professionals, and home health aides. Homemaker services may include housekeeping, cooking and grocery shopping.  Care may be provided daily or intermittently. For more information regarding how to receive Personal Care/ Homemaker Services call: 1-800-510-2020

Senior Employment

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a community service and work based training program for older workers. Authorized by the Older Americans Act, the program provides subsidized, service-based training for low-income persons 55 or older who are unemployed and have poor employment prospects. Eligible Program Participants must be at least 55, unemployed, and have a family income of no more than 125% of the federal poverty level.

SCSEP provides both community services and work-based training. Participants work an average of 20 hours a week, and are paid minimum wage. They are placed in a wide variety of community service activities at non-profit and public facilities, including day-care centers, senior centers, schools and hospitals. It is intended that community service training serves as a bridge to unsubsidized employment opportunities.

Senior Helplink

Senior Helplink connects seniors, adults with disabilities, family members, professionals, and the public at large with assistance, referrals, education, and advocacy. The following outlines the scope of Senior Helplink services:

• Information regarding our programs that would assist clients.
• Referral and linkage to Office On Aging Care Coordination Programs.
• Education and advocacy for those who are suffering or know someone who is suffering from elder abuse.
• 211 Riverside County: 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities in Riverside County. For emergencies, individuals are instructed to dial 9-1-1.
• Outreach, information, enrollment assistance and follow-up to Medicare beneficiaries regarding Medicare Part D. Information and enrollment assistance will be provided through our toll-free information line, at sites the Info Vans visit, at health fairs, and as a part of care management services.

   

  Additionally, Senior Helplink coordinates intake for two unique partnership programs:

• Transportation Reimbursement Information Project (TRIP): A program that reimburses expenses to volunteer drivers who assist seniors with various errands such as doctor visits, grocery shopping, etc. 
• Senior Home Repair: A program that provides home repair services to seniors and adults with disabilities.

  For more information regarding Senior Helplink call: 1-800-510-2020

Surplus Food Distribution

Surplus food distribution is a unique program that collects and distributes surplus food to those in need. For more information regarding this program and how to become eligible call: 1-800-510-2020

Transportation

Local agencies secure escorts and travel vouchers, or provide vehicles to assist in transporting persons to essential services.  To learn more about how to gain access to this program call: 1-800-510-2020

Volunteer Services

Riverside County Office on Aging serves as a clearing center for placing volunteers fifty-five and older into a variety of volunteer opportunities in Eastern Riverside County, through the RSVP program.  Additionally, we assist individuals of all ages to find volunteer placements within the Office on Aging.  To reach the Volunteer Coordinator and explore volunteer opportunities, call: 1-800-510-2020

911 Senior Emergency Cellular Phone Program

Cellular phones are delivered to at-risk seniors 60 years of age or older who live alone, or with a caregiver, and may have difficulty reaching a stationary phone in an emergency. The phones are not connected to a service, but are still capable of connecting the senior to the 911 emergency response system. To learn more about the program, call: 1-800-510-2020