seniors

NEW PILOT PROGRAM FOR SENIORS APPROVED BY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

January 11, 2024 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved Tuesday a pilot program to create housemate matches between lower-income older adults and locals with a spare bedroom.  

The two-year pilot program was created to address growing homelessness among older adults. The 2023 Point-in-Time Count revealed the number of older adults aged 55 and older experiencing homelessness increased by 29% from the previous year. 

The program will match a minimum of 50 older adults – people 55 years or older – with appropriate households who sign up and offer to rent out a spare bedroom. Participants also will be offered services to help them stay housed.


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PILOT PROGRAM FOR OLDER ADULTS OFFERS RENTAL SUBSIDY

By Cassie Klapp, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 1, 2023 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities is launching a pilot program to provide 222 seniors at risk of experiencing homelessness a rental subsidy. 


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SUPERVISORS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVE REGION’S FIRST PROGAM TO PREVENT SENIOR HOMELESSNESS

The shallow rental subsidy program is designed to prevent low-income seniors from losing their homes

East County News Service

Photo: Supervisor Anderson greets Cunya Wu, a 102-year-old San Diego resident who joins Serving Seniors for breakfast and lunch daily.

September 28, 2022 (San Diego) – San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors voted unanimously yesterday to establish a rental subsidy pilot program for seniors who are at risk of becoming homeless. This motion came at the recommendation of Supervisors Joel Anderson (District 2) and Terra Lawson-Remer (District 3) earlier this year at the February 8th, 2022 board meeting to address the crisis of rising senior homelessness.


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ALL SAN DIEGO EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS NOW OFFICIALLY SENIOR-FRIENDLY

 

By José Eli Villanueva, County of San Diego Communications Office

August 17, 2022 (San Diego) - Officials from the County’s Health and Human Services Agency, local hospitals and healthcare agencies gathered Thursday to celebrate the county becoming the first in the nation to earn a regionwide “senior-friendly” emergency department accreditation for all 18 of its hospitals.


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REPORT: DRUG DEATHS, SUICIDES UP AMONG OLDER AMERICANS

By Suzanne Potter, Public News Service

Photo:  New research shows the early death rate for Hispanic American seniors climbed 48% from 2019 to 2020, compared to a national average of 17%. (Logoboom/Adobe Stock)

June 15, 2022 (San Diego) - Older Americans are dying from drug overdose or suicide at much higher rates now compared to a decade ago, according to the latest America's Health Rankings Senior Report from UnitedHealthcare.


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SAN DIEGO OASIS AND COX COMMUNICATIONS HOST GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION FOR NEW ‘TECH TANK’ FOR SENIORS AT GROSSMONT CENTER

Center offers older adults free one-on-one sessions and technology demos, low-cost mini workshops for smartphones, tablets, and personal devices

Source: Oasis

April 7, 2022 (La Mesa) -- San Diego Oasis has teamed up with Cox Communications to make technology affordable and accessible for its members aged 50+ to address their specific needs. The nonprofit and the technology company hosted a grand opening celebration in March to launch the new “Tech Tank,” a one-of-a-kind center  in Grossmont Center, La Mesa powered by Cox Communications that will give San Diego seniors an opportunity to advance their technology skillset and reduce social isolation, all to help bridge the “digital divide” among older adults.


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CONGRESSMAN ISSA TO HOST WEBINAR APRIL 5 TO ASSIST SENIORS USING THE MEDICARE PROGRAM

East County News Service

March 23, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) - Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) announced his office will host a free webinar on April 5 at 10 A.M. PT with industry experts to discuss best practices and the various services of each section of the Medicare Program.


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OASIS HELPS SENIORS AND HOMELESS LEARN TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

By Mike Allen

Photo:  Oasis trainer David Beevers helps Trinity Place resident John Hurst with his new tablet.

February 19, 2022 (San Diego) -- Getting the homeless off the streets is just one step in a multi-pronged approach to achieving a life of self-sufficiency. An example of a follow-up step is an innovative program by San Diego Oasis: giving low-income seniors and older homeless folks smart technology devices that can make a difference in their lives.


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SUPERVIORS APPROVE PROPOSAL TO CREATE COUNTY’S FIRST SHALLOW SUBSIDY PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK OLDER ADULTS

Source: Serving Seniors

Photo: CC via Bing

Supervisors’ discussion of Item 13 can be viewed about 18 minutes into this videohttps://youtu.be/lDpMKzsFiEs  

 

February 17, 2022 (San Diego) -- With a unanimous vote of 5-0, San Diego County Supervisors on Feb. 8 passed a proposal introduced by Supervisors Joel Anderson and Terra Lawson-Remer asking County staff to design a new pilot program providing a “shallow subsidy” to low-income, rent-burdened older adults at risk of homelessness.


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TIPS FOR SMART YEAR-END CHARITABLE GIVING: DO YOUR HOMEWORK

By Paul Downey, CEO, Serving Seniors

Photo: CC by NC-ND via Bing

December 16, 2021 (San Diego) -- For nonprofit organizations like Serving Seniors, the holiday season can determine our ability to provide services and support to San Diegans counting on our help.

Nearly one third of all charitable giving takes place in December and 12% takes place the last three days of the year. One in four nonprofit organizations raise half of all donations for the year during the holidays.

The impulse to help others is among humanity’s greatest purposes, but don’t let your generosity override doing your homework. Two-thirds of the people who make donations don’t do any research at all before giving.


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HOW THE POWERS OF COMMUNITY CAN SUPPORT LOCAL SENIORS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

By Brent Wakefield, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels San Diego County  

December 8, 2021 (San Diego) - The holidays are only weeks away, and the CDC has shared safer ways to celebrate as COVID-19 and its variants still impact the public. From vaccinations and masks to being outdoors, the country continues to bubble back to life daily, but not everyone will – or can – join in. Seniors are one such group. The past two years have delivered far less than holiday cheer as they struggled with social isolation, loneliness, and hunger more than ever.  


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SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION AWARDS $315,000 IN GRANTS TO SUPPORT AGE-FRIENDLY PROGRAMS FOR OLDER SAN DIEGANS

Source: San Diego Foundation

October 19, 2021 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Foundation announced today that it has awarded $315,000 in grants to 11 nonprofit organizations leading local efforts to support and improve quality of life for older San Diegans. The grants fund projects ranging from initiatives to help homeless seniors to efforts that provide access to food, housing, medical care, dental services and jobs training for older area residents.


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GROUNDBREAKING REPORT ON SAN DIEGO’S OLDER ADULT HOMELESS RELEASES FINDINGS, MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS

By Gayle Lynn Falkenthal

September 11, 2021 (San Diego) -- One in four of San Diego’s homeless adults is over the age of 55. More than 40% are experiencing homelessness for the first time in their lives.


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SUMMER HOME SAFETY TIPS FOR SENIORS

By Dr. Ross Colt, Medical Director, Gary and Mary West PACE

Photo courtesy West PACE 

July 9, 2021 (San Diego) - The world is opening back up. There’s a sense of relief in the air, but also anxiety. If you’re caring for an aging spouse, family member, friend or neighbor while also transitioning back to the office or your normal activities, you may be nervous about leaving them at home alone more often. If you’re an older adult living alone, your grown children may even have some of these concerns about you! 


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EASY TIPS FOR SENIORS TO BEAT THE HEAT AS TEMPERATURES SOAR

By Brent Wakefield, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels San Diego County 

July 3, 2021 (San Diego) - It’s hot and temperatures will only continue to rise as we move further into the summer season. Most of us are feeling like Earth has turned into Mars as the heat scorches on, with California already reaching a record-setting heat wave. When temperatures soar, it’s at-risk populations – such as seniors – that need to take extra precautions to stay cool and avoid heat-related dangers. The risks of overheating impact everyone and can trigger serious illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. As the County continues to open back up, I hope seniors can enjoy connecting with friends and family while actively engaging in safe practices to protect themselves against the sweltering temperatures. Use these tips to help stay cool during the summer months: 


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HOMECARE.ORG SURVEY REVEALS 1 IN 3 AMERICANS NOTICE SIGNS OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AMONG SENIOR PARENTS DURING COVID-19

Aging in place platform shares insights to raise awareness of the prevalence of anxiety and depression in older adults

Photo: by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

May 28, 2021 (Atlanta, GA) – Homecare.org, a resource for data, studies, and tools to help seniors remain safe and independent in their own homes, has published a recent survey about mental health problems among older adults during the pandemic. The study generated responses from 1,000 American adults who have parents over the age of 60.


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POST-PANDEMIC LIFE FOR SENIORS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. THAT CAN BE A GOOD THING

By Simona Valanciute, President and CEO, San Diego Oasis

May 4, 2021 (San Diego) - Seniors have been hit hard by the pandemic. Highly effective COVID-19 vaccines now offer hope of a return to a more normal life, but many of our institutions might be changed forever.


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SANTEE SENIORS GET HELP MAKING APPOINTMENTS FOR COVID VACCINATIONS

By Mike Allen
February 20, 2021 (Santee) - The city of Santee is helping seniors who are having difficulty scheduling appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations, creating a program aimed at bridging the digital divide.

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MAKE THE HOLIDAY BRIGHTER FOR HOMEBOUND LA MESA SENIORS

East County News Service

 

November 21, 2020 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce is seeking donated items to brighten the holidays for 24 homebound seniors in La Mesa. All items must be received by Friday, November 27, 2020, to be included in the senior gift bags and baskets.

 

All of the gifts are wrapped and placed in decorative baskets, so that our seniors receive these gifts with a festive flair. 


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COVID-19 AND FLU SEASON: HOW SENIORS CAN STAY HEALTHY

By Jyotu Sandhu, MD, Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group, and  Simona Valanciute, President & CEO, San Diego Oasis
 
Photo: Creative Commons via Bing 
 
November 11, 2020 (La Mesa) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that both the novel coronavirus and flu viruses will spread significantly this fall and winter, which could overwhelm health care facilities. Seniors are already at higher risk of serious health problems from COVID-19, and this year’s flu season will likely compound those worries for older adults and those who care for them.

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DENTAL GROUP HELPS LOCAL SENIORS WITH HOME CARE ORAL HYGIENE KITS

East County News Service

May 8, 2020 (San Diego) - With seniors ’sheltering in place” and potentially doing so for many more months to come, the Gary & Mary West Senior Dental Center is making sure vulnerable San Diego seniors have the items they need to keep up their health and oral hygiene during this time.  The organization is in the process of preparing 5,000 Home Care Oral Hygiene Kits for vulnerable seniors in San Diego County.


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REV. SHANE HARRIS AND PEOPLE'S ALLIANCE FOR JUSTICE LAUNCH "WISH LIST SENIORS FUND” TO DELIVER FOOD AND TOILETRIES TO SENIORS’ HOMES

East County News Service
 
March 26, 2020 (San Diego) - Civil rights activist and President of People's Alliance for Justice Shane Harris has launched a new fund to serve vulnerable seniors countywide during the COVID-19 Coronavirus public health crisis.  Starting today, volunteers will deliver toiletries and food to seniors age 65 and older at their homes.

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STORES OFFER SPECIAL SHOPPING HOURS FOR SENIORS


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CITY OF LA MESA RELEASES ACTION PLAN TO BUILD A MORE AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY

Source:  City of La Mesa

October 9, 2019 (La Mesa) - On Tuesday, October 8, 2019, the La Mesa City Council approved the Livable La Mesa Action Plan to promote programs and systems-level change that will strengthen the quality of life for older adults in the community.


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SAN DIEGO SENIORS VOTE 'AYE' ON MAKING A DIFFERENCE

 

Have you ever had ambitions to run for office but found the prospect of lawn signs, advertising and public appearances daunting?

If you’re a San Diego County resident over the age of 55, you can still fulfill your political aspirations without the rigors of a major campaign. The California Senior Legislature offers older adults the opportunity to advance issues important to them and advocate for legislation at the state level.


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WHY INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE BENEFICIAL TO BOTH SENIORS AND YOUTH

 

By Susan Ashby

October 21, 2018 (San Diego) - While 94 percent of Americans believe there is value and knowledge seniors can pass along to children, under 30 percent actually know of places in their community that bring generations together. This issue is compounded when families are spread out across the United States and even the world. Grandparents aren’t always able to interact with grandchildren in person. Thankfully, intergenerational programs can bring seniors and youth together in ways that better the society at large.


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COUNTY LAUNCHES COOL ZONES TO KEEP SENIORS SAFE

 

 

Having air-conditioned Cool Zones where seniors and others can congregate to beat the heat not only reduces their individual energy costs, but can protect their health.

The Cool Zones program was started by Supervisor Dianne Jacob in 2001. The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency Aging & Independence Services partners with SDG&E to provide a network of Cool Zone sites for seniors and people with disabilities to escape extreme heat during the summer.

To locate a Cool Zone, call 1-800-339-4661, or visit www.CoolZones.org.


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SENIORS AT RISK OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG ADDICTION: TURN IN UNUSED MEDICINES SATURDAY

 

 

Source: Institute for Public Strategies San Diego

 

April 26, 2018 (San Diego) -- With Prescription Drug Take Back Day coming up on April 28, San Diegans are encouraged to turn in medications that have expired or they no longer need so that they cannot be abused or overused. This is especially true among senior citizens, a demographic we don’t normally associate with a growing drug problem. 


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INITIATIVE TO BETTER PROTECT SENIORS FROM ELDER ABUSE

 

In response to increasing elder abuse crimes in the region and an impending explosion of the elderly population, County prosecutors, health and aging officials and local law enforcement are committing to a new “blueprint” of goals and coordinated community response to abuse of these vulnerable residents.


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MEMORY EXPERT TO OFFER STRATEGIES FOR SENIORS JAN. 23 IN SPRING VALLEY

 

East County News Service

December 30, 2017 (Spring Valley) -- Keeping the brain sharp is vital to enjoying a full and rewarding lifestyle at any age. Dr. Linda Sasser will present simple strategies to maintain and even improve brain function during “Keep Your Brain Fit and Your Memory Sharp,” a free program scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018 at 2:00 p.m., at Mount Miguel Covenant Village, 325 Kempton St., Spring Valley.


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