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• 2008-09 Governor’s Budget—California Department of Aging (CDA)
• Be Prepared California
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• Health Care Reform
• Long-Term Care Guide
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• Senate Recognizes Department of Aging for Health Promotion in Workplace

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• Nov. 17-20, 2008
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Services and Programs

The California Department of Aging serves as both a unifying force for services to seniors and adults with disabilities and as a focal point for federal, state and local agencies which serve the elderly and adults with disabilities in California. As the designated State Unit on Aging, the California Department of Aging administers a variety of home and community based services. Below is a description of the larger programs available in the state.

Not all of the following programs are available in each area of the state. For more information about services in your area and their availability, call your local Information and Assistance Program toll free at 1-800-510-2020 or link to http://www.aging.ca.gov/programs/i_and_a_listing.html for county specific telephone numbers.

For information about senior related services available outside of California, call the toll free Elder Care Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or visit the following website http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare/Public/Home.asp

Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) - A day care program which provides health, therapeutic, and social services to serve the specialized needs of frail elderly as well as adults with functional impairments at risk of institutionalization.

Alzheimer's Day Care Resource Centers (ADCRC) - Day care for persons with Alzheimer's disease (and other related dementias) who are often unable to be served by other programs. The centers provide respite as well as training and support for families and professional caregivers.

Area Agencies on Aging - The Area Agencies on Aging coordinate a wide array of services to seniors and adults with disabilities at the community level and serve as a focal point for local aging concerns.

Brown Bag Program - Volunteers collect and distribute surplus food to low-income seniors.

California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program - Professional staff and trained volunteers investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents of long term care facilities.

Foster Grandparent Program - Low-income senior volunteers work with children who have exceptional needs.

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) - Provides both community education sessions open to the public and individualized one-to-one counseling on Medicare, managed care, and other private health insurance issues.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention - Provides disease prevention and health promotion activities, services and information to maintain or improve the physical, mental and nutritional health of older persons at multipurpose senior centers, at congregate nutrition meal sites, through home delivered meals programs and at other appropriate sites.

Information & Assistance - Trained staff provide information as well as assistance and follow-up to link seniors and adults with functional impairments and their families with programs and services in their community.

Legal Assistance - Community programs provide legal information, advice, and counseling, as well as administrative and judicial representation for seniors.

Linkages - Case management services to elderly as well as adults with functional impairments, 18 years or older, at risk of institutionalization. Clients do not need to be eligible for Medi-Cal.

Medication Management - Provides medication screening and education for individuals and caregivers to prevent incorrect medication and adverse drug interactions.

Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) - Provides social and health case management to assist persons aged 65 and over, eligible for Medi-Cal and certifiable for skilled nursing care, to remain safely at home.

Nutrition Services - Congregate Meals: local programs provide seniors with nutritious meals in a group setting; Home Delivered Meals: local programs prepare and deliver nutritious meals to homebound seniors.

Respite Program - Provides temporary or periodic services for frail elderly or adults with functional impairments to relieve persons who are providing care, or recruiting and screening of providers and matching respite providers to clients.

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) - Provides part-time subsidized employment for low-income persons over age 55.

Senior Companion Program - Low-income senior volunteers provide peer support to frail older persons in their local communities.