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INTRODUCTIONThe Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens, AreaAgency on Aging is delightedto present the 2019/2021 Santa Barbara County Senior Resource Directory.Santa Barbara County residents haveaccess to a variety of services. It canbe tough to determine what servicesyou or a loved one needs and equallydifficult finding the appropriateservice. We wish the Santa BarbaraSenior Resource Directory could answer all of your questions. We knowit cannot. We hope the Directorysimplifies your search, expands yourknoweldege, and ultimately ease thechallenges experienced by you or aloved one.The Directory lists nonprofit andgovernmental agencies offeringservices to seniors, with descriptionsof services and benefits. The financialsupporters include for –profitbusinesses; inclusion of a listingor information ad does not implyendorsement.What are the right questions to ask?Who can help decide if a service willmeet your needs? Will services beavailable when you need them?It takes time and energy researchingservices. In the midst of a crisis is themost difficult time to assess a needand investigate resources. The Directory is an opportunity to get familiarwith resources before a crisis hits.Various factors play a role in establishing a service’s accessibility. Fiveimportant factor:1. Determining the need.2. Finding an appropriate service.3. Eligibility requirements.4. Waiting lists.5. Cost.Determining Your NeedWhen a problem exists, it may behelpful to talk with someone experienced in identifying specific needsto determine which could be helpedby services. Most nonprofit agenciesprovide informal information andreferral.If there is more than one problem, define each problem individually. Often,one agency can't provide the complete scope of needed services. Youmay obtain different services fromvarious agencies.Finding an Agency toAssist YouThis Directory can help narrow downyour choices. If you call an agencyyou think may help, and for somereason they can't, ask for suggestions.Senior ConnectionA free, specialized senior informationand assistance service of the AreaAgency on Aging, Senior Connectionassists with information, referral,follow up, and education. Call 800510-2020, 805-965-3288 or 805-9282552.For any referral, call and explain thesituation. If they can help, Great! Ifthey cannot, ask for another referral.Also, call back Senior Connection foradditional referrals.There are other information andreferral agencies. Contact the oneaddressing your needs.Eligibility RequirementsAgencies have different eligibilityrequirements. The most common areage and income. ASK!Some agencies provide services topeople not on an benefit program,others require income below acertain level, and others don’t haveany income requirements. Who mayreceive a non-profit's services may bespecified by the funder, or may be aneffort to provide services to a specificpopulation.Find out exactly what income andasset information and documentationare needed.If you are assisting someone, thatindividual may need to write a shortletter authorizing you to act on theirbehalf. “Durable Powers of Attorney”and “General Powers of Attorney”are legal documents allowing anindividual to act for another person.Both documents can be used only forspecific reasons which are defined bylaw. Investigate before you proceed.Waiting Lists/DenialsSo you determine you’re eligible fora particular service and it will bestmeet your needs, the next question is:When can the service begin?Our advice? If there is a waiting list,get on it. You may have to settle foranother service that either costs moreor does not quite meet your needsin the meantime. If you don’t needthe service when your name comesup, they go to the next person. Don’twait until the agency no longer has awaiting list. It may not happen.If your health plan or an agencydenies services, ask them about yourright to appeal. If the denial regardsa Medicare service, contact HealthInsurance Counseling and AdvocacyProgram (HICAP) at 800-434-0222or 928-5663. All services funded bythe Area Agency on Aging have agrievance procedure.CostCost will determine if you can afforda service. Some agencies have a setcost, no matter your income; othersdetermine cost based on income;some services are free, and others-AAA funded programs (the SeniorLunch program is one example)—request only a donation. ASK!Long Distance CaregivingMost communities have a range ofservices available for seniors, butfinding them can be a challenge forfamilies who live out of the area.ElderCare Locator is a free serviceto help locate specific resourcesfor seniors. Call 800-677-1116 andElderCare staff is available weekdaysfrom 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST).The California Department of Aging’sSenior Information Line’s numberis 800-510-2020. It connects to thelocal information and assistanceservice.2019-2021 SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SENIOR RESOURCE DIRECTORY5

INTRODUCTIONOnlineThe Senior Resource Directory is online at www.centralcoastseniors.org asare links to other resources.In ConclusionEvery effort has been taken to verifythe accuracy of the informationin these pages. If you are aware ofa discrepancy, please let us know.Suggestions for improving theDirectory, revealing new or notlisted information, as well as yourcomments are appreciated. We can bereached at:Senior Resource DirectoryArea Agency on Aging528 S. BroadwaySanta Maria, CA 93454805-925-9554seniors@KCBX.netFinding Reliable Information and Supporton the InternetFinding health information on the internet can be confusing but there are reliable websites that offer a wealth of goodinformation. You can learn about a specific condition, thelatest treatments and find support for your health concerns.Here are tips to help you get reliable information. Know who operates the web site. Sites run by the government and nonprofit organizations are more objectivethan sites with a product to sell. Use sites where the information is written or reviewedby a qualified professional. Be wary of sites that have sponsors with a product to sell.Be careful of sites that have “pop-up” advertisements formedical products. Check the date. Medical information changes rapidlyand if it is several years old it may not be current. Guard your privacy. Look at the home page for a privacypolicy. Give as little personal information as possible. Seek a second opinion. Do not limit yourself to onesource for health information. Share what you learn with your health care provider. Heor she can help you to evaluate what the informationmeans to you.A good place to start your search for health information isMedlinePlus, www.MedlinePlus.gov. For Spanish speakers, see www.MedlinePlus.gov/Spanish. MedlinePlusbrings together authoritative information from the NationalLibrary of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, andother reliable health-related organizations. MedlinePluscontains information about medication and supplements,an illustrated medical encyclopedia, the latest health news,surgery videos and more. You may also like Health Finder atwww.Healthfinder.gov or in Spanish at www.Healthfinder.gov/espanol and Centers for Disease Control at www.CDC.gov or in Spanish at www.CDC.gov/spanish.62019-2021 SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SENIOR RESOURCE DIRECTORY

CAREGIVINGCaregiving for members of ourfamily affects persons fromall walks of life. Whetherthe care receiver is over the age of 90or in the final stages of Parkinson’sDisease, has Alzheimer’s Disease orsome other physical or cognitive impairment, the role of the caregiver is achallenge. While it is a privilege to accept the responsibility to care for ourmother, uncle or sister, caregiving hasinherent challenges and stresses alongits course, from logistical (where careis most appropriate) and financial,to emotional and spiritual. Caregiving truly affects the whole person inways that no book or article can fullyexplain.This introductory page is meantto help the reader understand theimpact of caregiving, learn how torecognize changes (in either the caregiver or care receiver) that may affecthealth and safety of both parties anddiscover how to address and accesscritical resources.Taking care of yourself whilecaring for othersIt is important to recognize thesigns and symptoms of caregiverstress. This may include feelingoverwhelmed and alone, isolatedor deserted by others, sleeping toomuch or too little, gaining or losinga lot of weight, feeling tired most ofthe time or losing interest in activitiesyou used to enjoy.Caregiver stress may affect your physical and behavioral health. Studiesshow that stress can affect caregiversin a variety of ways. One may developdepression and anxiety, or a weakened immune system causing moresick days and slower recovery fromillness. There may be an increasedlikelihood of obesity, especially inwomen, increased risk for chronicdiseases, or problems with short-termmemory or attentiveness skills.Here is a message of importance toeach and every caregiver. Make timefor yourself - to take care of yourself!Exercise is important – and try to dothis with others. Develop and nur-ture new friends and social activities.When safe and practical, get yourfamily member moving- take a groupexercise class, join a mall walking clubor walk the dog together.Your identity as caregiverneeds to be recognizedBoth federal legislation and goodsense directs that the hospital consider the caregiver as part of the team.Many physician offices include thecaregiver in the care receiver’s medical records and as part of the team.This is important for planning tomeet care needs, such as bathing, eating and walking. It is imperative thatthe caregiver have access to appropriate medical records and information,so making this need known early inthe caregiving experience is criticallyimportant.If you are a working caregiver tryingto balance employment and caregiving, ask your employer if they haveany benefits that fit your needs. Isthere paid family leave? Paid sickleave? Scheduling flexibility andpredictability? Remember, getting adequate and timely support is dependent upon making your needs knownearly in the caregiving experience.Assessing NeedsIt is important to assess both theneeds of the care receiver and thecaregiver. This would include providing information and training aboutthe tasks that the caregiver will beexpected to complete. Based on thecare receiver’s health condition andskilled care needs, perhaps trainingcan be provided by a home healthnurse or physical therapist, as orderedby the physician. It is important toinquire about all potential resourcesat the outset of becoming a caregiver,so that appropriate care is given andmishaps avoided.Last, consider the issue of safetyof the care receiver in their livingenvironment. As physical conditionschange, it is important to re-evaluatethe physical environment. This can bedone through a home safety evalua-tion which, with a physician’s order,can be conducted by a licensed physical an

4 2019-2021 SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SENIOR RESOURCE DIRECTORY ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens-Area Agency on Aging (AAA), the sponsor of the Santa Barbara County Senior Resourc