RCOoA/ Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) has taken a lead in support of the development of an integrated service delivery system for older persons and persons for disabilities and for more than 35 years. As a result of a CA Community Choices ADRC grant in December 2008, which resulted in the national recognized destination as an Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC), we set priorities to enhance efforts in improving a consumer service delivery system.
The designation of Aging and the Community Access Center (CAC). ADRC partnerships has enabled us to provide older adults and adults of all ages with disabilities, as well as their caregivers and service providers free, comprehensive information about long term care services and support options; and access to important planning and communication tools, programs, resources, and services for seniors and people of all ages with a disability.

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

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.

Riverside County Office on Aging offers education through a variety of innovative programs.
The InfoVan Program is an exciting outreach program designed to help older adults and adults with functional limitations to remain as healthy and independent as possible for as long as possible.  The InfoVans travel throughout Riverside County, stocked with an array of useful information and assistance tools. 

The purpose of the InfoVan is to assist and enable these individuals by:

• Empowering them with life-enhancing information and encouragement that they can utilize to assume responsibility for their own health and well-being.

• Increasing knowledge of, and access to, vital health and social services in the Riverside County area.

Providing quality caregiver information(including access-to-services information) to adult children, relatives, neighbors, and/or anyone who provides care and support for older adults and adults with functional limitations in the community.
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 for the prevention and detection of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation; by offering public education, outreach and by directing complaints to the appropriate agencies.

The Fit after 50 evidence based exercise program emphasis is on improving strength, balance and mobility using stretching, upper and lower body resistance and core exercisesto prolong independence, prevent falls, and prevent or decrease the effects of chronic illnesses.  The program has been in existence for almost 10 years with classes throughout Riverside County.

The classes are unique in their design, location and focus. Curriculum was developed in cooperation with the California State University, Fullerton, to address the health issues of older adults.The pace and music are suited to older adults and the classes are offered in areas frequented by older adults.  Volunteer trainers receive focused training on issues facing older adults:  functionality, balance, mobility and flexibility with sensitivity to joint replacement, arthritis, and balance limitations. 

The program uses resistance cords with graduated resistance levels to build muscle tissue and strength.Specific balance exercises help to improve balance and stretching of the upper and lower body for flexibility and mobility incorporating proper abdominal breathing exercises. In addition to improved balance and flexibility, older adults benefit by living more active, healthier lives.  A growing body of research points to mental and physical health through exercise, including lower injury and mortality rates, decreased rates of depression and fewer physical limitations.

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

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.

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  www.hicaprc.org .

Healthy Options Program (HOP):
This Chronic Disease Self-Management Program from Stanford University is an evidence based program that is a lay-person participant education program offered to older adults experiencing chronic health conditions such as hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and/or stroke. The older adult’s caregiver(s) can attend as well.

This program provides information and teaches practical skills on self-managing chronic health problems. The Office on Aging volunteer trainers will be certified and specialize in the Diabetes Model of this program. HOP gives people the confidence and motivation they need to manage the challenges of living with a chronic health condition.

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 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.

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

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

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

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 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 programs and services within Riverside County that would assist consumers to remain independent in their homes.

  Personal Care	Adult Day Care	Congregated Meals
  Homemaker	Care Management	Legal Assistance
  Transportation	Home Delivered Meals	Employment
  Housing	Health Care	*and many more

• Referral, linkage and follow-up to ensure successful access to Office on Aging and available community resources.
• Education and advocacy for the prevention and detection of 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.
• After hour information provided by 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.

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

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

Assistance with identifying and accessing transportation resources which may include transit passes, volunteer driver program, mobility training and vehicle modifications for improved accessibility. To learn more about transportation options call: 1-800-510-2020

The Riverside County Office on Aging sponsors the RSVP Volunteer Program in the Coachella Valley and Blythe. RSVP is part of a national community service program which has been in the Coachella Valley for over 41 years. RSVP offers volunteer recruitment, retention and recognition in Eastern Riverside County. The program's mission is to place older adults, age of 55 and over, into volunteer positions within community based organizations and local municipalities throughout the Coachella Valley and Blythe. Once serving, the volunteer’s experience and skills can help to better their communities, as well as keeping the volunteer healthier, happier and living independent longer.

Additionally, we assist individuals of all ages to find volunteer placements within the agency of Office on Aging County-wide.

To reach the Volunteer Coordinator and explore volunteer opportunities, call: 1-760-771-0501

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.