Senior Citizen Resources

Long Term Insurance Counseling & HMOs, Medicare, Medi-Cal, Kaiser, etc. - 1st Wednesday of the Month at the Alder Room of the Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Rd. For further details & directions call 284-5050.

Dial-a-Ride - The County Connection Link is a door-to-door, Advance Registration, dial-a-ride service in Central Contra Costa County. Call 938-7433 for reservations and more information.

Regional Transit Discount Card - The Regional Transit Connection (RTC) Discount Card is a program for reduced fares on fixed-route transit, bus, rail and ferry systems throughout the San Francisco Bay Area for senior citizens 65 year of age or older and qualified persons with disabilities. For more information call 676-2278 or (510) 236-2278 or 511 and go online to www.511.org.

Contra Costa Senior Legal Services - a private, non-profit California Corporation that provides Contra Costa County Seniors (over age 60) with free legal services. For more information check out their website at www.seniorlegalservices.org.

Lamorinda Senior Transportation Project

The focus of the Lamorinda Senior Transportation Project is providing a discount taxi service, a call ahead van service, and a volunteer drive program. The discount taxi services is currently in place.

Discount Taxi Service - Contra Costa Yellow Cab and DeSoto Company provide a 20% taxi discount for seniors.
Trip Tips: 1. Call in advance and remember to give yourself plenty
                       of time for unavoidable traffic delays. This is
                       particularly essential if you have an important
                       appointment.
                   2. On your first Discount for Seniors trip to a specific
                       destination, ask the taxi dispatcher to estimate the
                       fare and the time required. Remember, however, it
                       is only an estimate.
                   3. Tipping the driver is up to you and entirely optional.
                   4. Sharing a ride with a friend is fun and economical
                       as well!

Senior Helpline Services

Reassurance Phone Friends - this free program matches a senior with a phone friend volunteer who will keep the promise to call daily or less frequently as requested. Calls are from 5-10 minutes at a mutually agreed upon time. These phone calls let the client know that someone cares, offers a few minutes of friendly conversation and compassionate listening, allows the caller to make sure the client is in reasonably good health, gives an opportunity to identify the need for information, referrals, and advocacy. Staff members provide a "safety net" by following up on unanswered calls to see if the clients needs immediate help due to a fall, sudden illness, or other reason. In addition to phone calls, clients receive handwritten cards on a regular basis, including holidays, birthdays, during illness, for encouragement, and in sympathy. For more information on the Reassurance Phone Friends and/or to enroll or sign up as a volunteer call 284-6161 or check their website at www.seniorhelpline.net.

Rides for Seniors - this free program offers the ambulatory Reassurance Phone Friends program clients and senior phone friends volunteers free one-on-one, door-to-door rides provided by volunteer drivers. These rides are primarily for the purpose of obtaining medical care, groceries, and other basic necessities. In order to ensure the safety of the Rides for Seniors clients, these clients must also participate in the Reassurance Phone Friends program.

Helpful Phone Numbers

Adult Protective Services (Elder Abuse) - 877-839-4347
Alzheimer's Support Group - 800-600-1993
American Cancer Society - 408-879-1032
American Heart Association - 408-977-4950
American Society on Aging - 415-974-9600
Assisted Living/Skilled Nursing Home Lists - 800-510-2020
Children of Aging Parents - 800-227-7294
Calif. Advocates for Nursing Home Reform - 800-474-1116
Calif. Ombudsman Program - 800-231-4024
Center for Elders Independence - 510-433-1150
Contra Costa County Agency on Aging - 313-1700
Counsel on Aging - 408-296-8290
Elder Law Clinic - 969-3550
Gray Panthers - 210-9260
Greater Bay Area Alzheimer's Assoc. Hotline - 800-660-1993
Hospice of the East Bay - 887-5678
Nursing Home Ombudsman - 685-2070
Retired & Senior Volunteer Program - 472-5760
Senior Fraud Fighters - 888-545-7233
Senior Legal Services - 800-510-2020

Contra Costa County Area Agency on Aging

The Contra Costa Area Agency on Aging is 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. The Agency provides the following programs (1) Adult Day Care (2) Alzheimer's Day Care and Resource Center (3) Long-Term Care Ombudsman (4) Family Caregiver Provider Program (5) Linkages Case Management (6) Friendly Visitors (7) Assisted Transportation (8) In-Home Registry (9) Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program and (10) Legal Services. For more information on these services and to get a handy "Mini Guide to Adult and Services" call 800-510-2020

The Agency also has a variety of meal program:
Congregate Meals - the Senior Nutrition Program serves meals at 21 different sites called "Cafes" throughout Contra Costa County. Transportation is provided for those who cannot drive. A registered dietician presents nutritional education programs at each of the congregate meal sites. For information on the Senior Lunch Sites call (800) 510-2020.
Brown Bag Program - the Brown Bag Program provides low-income seniors aged 60 and older with bags of groceries twice a month. Each bag contains various items of surplus or donated foods. 16 distribution sites have been established throughout the county. For information on the Brown Bag/Food Bank call 676-7543.
Home Delivered Meals - homebound seniors over 60 receive home delivered meals at least five days a week through the Senior Nutrition Program. For Meals on Wheels call 937-86907.

LOPC Senior Center

The Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church (LOPC) Senior Center is open every Thursday from 11am to 1:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Programs include crafts, games, exercises, and Bible study. The center tries to provide volunteer drives for guests needing transportation with the Lamorinda area. Bring a sandwich, the Center provides beverages, salads and desserts. A place where friendships are formed and everyone's participation is treasured. For more information call LOPC at 283-8722.


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