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SENIOR CITIZEN RESOURCE GUIDECALIFORNIA’S THIRTY-SIXTH CONGRESSIONALDISTRICTOffice of Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D.September 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTSBiography . 6Congressional Office Contact Information . 7Federal, State, and County Resources . 8Social Security Administration . 8California Department of Aging . 9California Commission on Aging . 10California Department of Insurance . 11California Department of Motor Vehicles . 12California Seniors Gateway . 13Riverside County Office on Aging . 14Community Connect . 16Healthcare . 17Medicare . 17Medi-Cal . 18Denti-Cal . 20Healthcare Counseling/Services . 21Local City Information . 22Palm Springs . 22Elected Officials . 22Code Enforcement. 22Police Department . 22Fire Department . 23Library . 23Senior/Community Center . 24Desert Hot Springs . 25Elected Officials . 25Code Enforcement. 25Police Department . 25Table of Contents Senior Citizen Resource Guide2

TABLE OF CONTENTSFire Department . 26Library . 26Senior/Community Center . 26Cathedral City . 27Elected Officials . 27Code Enforcement. 27Police Department . 27Fire Department . 28Library . 28Senior/Community Center . 28Rancho Mirage . 30Elected Officials . 30Code Enforcement. 30Police Department . 30Fire Department . 31Library . 31Senior/Community Center . 31Indian Wells . 33Elected Officials . 33Code Enforcement. 33Police Department . 33Fire Department . 34Library . 34Senior/Community Center . 34Palm Desert . 36Elected Officials . 36Code Enforcement. 36Police Department . 37Table of Contents Senior Citizen Resource Guide3

TABLE OF CONTENTSFire Department . 37Library . 37Senior/Community Center . 37La Quinta . 39Elected Officials . 39Code Enforcement. 39Police Department . 40Fire Department . 40Library . 40Senior/Community Center . 41Indio. 42Elected Officials . 42Code Enforcement. 42Police Department . 42Fire Department . 43Library . 43Senior/Community Center . 43Coachella . 45Elected Officials . 45Code Enforcement. 45Police Department . 45Fire Department . 45Library . 46Senior/Community Center . 46Blythe . 47Elected Officials . 47Code Enforcement. 47Police Department . 47Table of Contents Senior Citizen Resource Guide4

TABLE OF CONTENTSFire Department . 48Library . 48Senior/Community Center . 48Hospitals and Clinics . 49Desert Regional Medical Center . 49Eisenhower Medical Center . 50JFK Memorial Hospital . 51Borrego Community Health. 52Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine . 53Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo. 54Utilities . 55Southern California Edison . 55Southern California Gas . 57Public Utilities Commission . 58Transportation . 59SunDial Paratransit . 59SunBus Transportation . 60Senior Abuse, Fraud, and Neglect . 61Senior Fraud Protection . 61Elder Abuse Prevention . 63Community Resources . 64Table of Contents Senior Citizen Resource Guide5

BIOGRAPHYU.S. Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D., grew up in the community ofCoachella, California, where both of his parents were farm workers.Dr. Ruiz achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a physicianthrough public education. After graduating from Coachella ValleyHigh School, Dr. Ruiz graduated magna cum laude from UCLA. Hewent on to Harvard Medical School, where he earned his MedicalDegree, as well as a Masters of Public Policy from the KennedySchool of Government and a Masters of Public Health from theSchool of Public Health, becoming the first Latino to earn threegraduate degrees from Harvard University.He completed his Residency in Emergency Medicine at theUniversity of Pittsburgh and a Fellowship in InternationalEmergency Medicine at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative.During his training, Dr. Ruiz served as a consultant to theMinistries of Health of both Serbia and El Salvador.Dr. Ruiz returned home after completing his medical training and began working as an EmergencyPhysician at Eisenhower Medical Center. Recognizing the physician shortage crisis in the CoachellaValley, Dr. Ruiz started Future Physician Leaders, a pre-medical mentorship program for youngaspiring doctors, which has grown to include over 200 local students.The program became part of the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, where Dr.Ruiz served as a Senior Associate Dean. Through the group Volunteers in Medicine, he helped toopen a free clinic to help underserved communities in the Coachella Valley.In 2010, Dr. Ruiz started the Coachella Valley Healthcare Initiative, which brought togetherstakeholders from across the region to address the local healthcare crisis. He has also workedinternationally in the medical community. In 2010, Dr. Ruiz flew to Haiti immediately following the2010 earthquake and served as the Founding Medical Director for the J/P Haitian ReliefOrganization. The U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne awarded him the Commanders Award for PublicService for his work in Haiti.Dr. Ruiz continued his work as an Emergency Doctor until he was elected to the U.S. House ofRepresentatives in 2012. He represents California’s 36th District, which includes the entire CoachellaValley, as well as the cities of Banning, Beaumont, Blythe, Hemet and San Jacinto. He resides inPalm Desert, CA.Dr. Ruiz currently serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committeeon Veterans’ Affairs.Biography Senior Citizen Resource Guide6

CONTACT INFORMATIONWashington D.C. OfficePalm Springs Office1319 Longworth BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515Phone: 202-225-5330Fax: 202-225-1238777 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, #338Palm Springs, CA 92262Phone: 760-424-8888Fax: 760-424-8993Indio OfficeHemet Office45691 Monroe Street, #2Indio, CA 92201Phone: 760-989-4111Fax: 760-289-7234445 E. Florida AvenueHemet, CA 92543Phone: 951-765-2304Fax: 951-765-3784Contact Information Senior Citizen Resource Guide7

FEDERAL, STATE, AND COUNTY RESOURCESSocial Security AdministrationSocial Security Administration provides general information, eligibility, and application informationfor the following areas: RetirementDisabilityMedicareSurvivorsSupplemental Security IncomeOnline services are available, and individuals may learn, apply, and manage benefits via the SocialSecurity Administration online website: www.ssa.gov.For individuals that do not have access to the Internet, you may call the Social SecurityAdministration toll free at 1-800-772-1213, or visit one of the local Social Security Offices below.Palm SpringsIndioBlythe4201 E. Ramon RdPalm Springs, CA9226446845 Monroe Street,Suite 2Indio, CA 922011287 W. Hobson WayBlythe, CA 92225Federal, State, and County Resources Senior Citizen Resource Guide8

FEDERAL, STATE, AND COUNTY RESOURCESCalifornia Department of AgingWorking to promote the independence and well-being of older adults, adults with disabilities, andfamilies through: Access to information and services to improve the quality of their livesOpportunities for community involvementSupport for family members providing careCollaboration with other state and local agenciesPrograms and services that California Department on Aging administers are: Adult Day Health CareCommunity-Based Adult ServicesDisease Prevention and Health PromotionFamily Caregiver Support ProgramHICAP – Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy ProgramLegal Assistanceo If you need legal assistance, you can locate a Legal Services Project by calling thelocal Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-510-2020Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programo The State CRISISline number is 1-800-231-4024Multipurpose Senior Services ProgramNutritionSenior Community Services Employment Programo For information and to see if you qualify: Contact your Area Agency on Aging Be at least 55 years of age Call 1-800-510-2020Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed)Contact the California Department of Aging1300 National Drive, Suite 200Sacramento, CA 95834-1992Phone: 916-419-7500Fax: 916-928-2267TDD: 800-735-2929Website: www.aging.ca.govFederal, State, and County Resources Senior Citizen Resource Guide9

FEDERAL, STATE, AND COUNTY RESOURCESCalifornia Commission on AgingThe California Commission on Aging serves as the primary advocate on behalf of older individualsin matters involving legislation and regulations made by state and federal departments and agencies.The Commission acts as an advisor to the Governor, State Legislature, and State, Federal, and localdepartments and agencies on issues affecting older individuals. This is done in order to ensure thatolder Californians may live with dignity in their chosen environment.Contact the Commission on Aging1300 National Drive, Suite 173Sacramento, CA 95834Phone: 916-419-7591Fax: 916-419-7596Email: ccoa@ccoa.ca.govFederal, State, and County Resources Senior Citizen Resource Guide10

FEDERAL, STATE, AND COUNTY RESOURCESCalifornia Department of InsuranceSeniors face much difficulty when making decisions about insurance, due to changing laws, morechoices, and the threat of scams.The best way to make informed and safe decisions is to become familiar with the facts. TheCalifornia Department of Insurance is equipped to provide information on the following topics: Health CoverageLong-Term Care InsuranceTips Before Buying InsuranceOther Resources of Benefit to SeniorsThe California Department of Insurance also provides information guides on the following topics: Informing Seniorso Tips for Dealing with Insuranceo Checking Out Your Agent and Companyo Never Be Pressured or Intimidated by an Agento Answer All Questions on the Application Correctlyo Never Sign Anything You Don’t Understando Compare Policies Carefullyo Always Read Your Policyo Keep Your Policy in a Safe PlaceDriving for Seniorso Auto Insurance Basicso Shopping for Auto Insuranceo Polishing Your Driving Skillso Planning Your Trip for a Safer Driveo Staying on Top of Physical Changeso When Is It Time to Stop Driving?o Common TermsSenior Insurance Bill of RightsAnnuities – What Seniors Need to KnowConsumer Hotline1-800-927-HELP (4357)8:00am to 5pm l, State, and County Resources Senior Citizen Resource Guide11

FEDERAL, STATE, AND COUNTY RESOURCESCalifornia Department of Motor VehiclesThe California Department of Motor Vehicles is committed to helping you keep your driver licensefor as long as you can safely drive.An individual’s mental and/or physical condition, or an inability to follow traffic laws and rulesregardless of age is the determinant of whether a license is renewed, restricted, suspended, orrevoked.All persons age 70 or older must renew their driver license in person at a DMV office.The number one restriction for senior drivers is vision-related and usually requires the driver to wearglasses or corrective contact lenses. Other common restrictions include: No freeway drivingDriving a vehicle with an additional right side mirrorDriving from sunrise to sunsetTime of day restrictionUsing adequate support to ensure proper driving positionArea restrictionWearing bioptic telescopic lens when driving/restricted to driving from sunrise to sunsetIf the Department’s vision standard of 20/40 is not met, the DMV employee will issue a Report ofVision Examination (DL 62) form and require that a vision specialist be seen. A vision specialist isa licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist.For more information on resources available for senior drivers please visithttp://www.dmv.ca.gov/about/senior/senior top.htm, or call your local DMV office.Palm SpringsIndioPalm DesertBlythe950 N. Ferrell DrivePalm Springs, CA92262(800) 777-013344-480 Jackson StreetIndio, CA 92201(800) 777-013374-740 TechnologyDrivePalm Desert, CA92211(800) 777-0133430 S. BroadwayBlythe, CA 92225(800) 777-0133Federal, State, and County Resources Senior Citizen Resource Guide12