County of Santa Clara, Avenidas partner to support low-income seniors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN JOSE – With a little help from Santa Clara County, more local seniors will soon be taking advantage of programs that help them stay healthy, active, and socially engaged. The County Board of Supervisors today approved funding proposed by Supervisor Joe Simitian for a partnership with non-profit agency Avenidas to help low-income seniors access adult day health care at the Rose Kleiner Senior Day Health Center in Mountain View.
“Our senior population is growing; and fortunately, there are services in place for people who need care. The challenge is connecting those in need with service providers like Avenidas,” said Simitian. “Our County support will help seniors make that connection, and get the services they need and are entitled to.”
For $75,000 per year over the next three years, Santa Clara County will support a health care worker housed at the Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center in Mountain View, tasked with reaching out to low-income seniors and connecting them to the adult day health services provided at the Center. The actual cost of the services would be covered by state and federal funds, with contributions from Avenidas.
Simitian said, “It’s been particularly frustrating to leave state and federal funds unused while local seniors are going unserved.”
“Avenidas is tremendously excited about this opportunity to help some of our neediest seniors age in place in the community, out of costly institutional settings,” said Amy Andonian, President and CEO of Avenidas. “We’ll save money from reduced emergency room visits, hospital admissions, and hospital re-admissions, and that benefits families, the County, and local health care providers alike.”
“The adult day health services provided at the Rose Kleiner Center,” said Simitian,
“include craft and social activities, group exercise, nutritious lunches, and monitoring and support from registered nurses and licensed therapists. These services not only enrich the lives and maintain the health of the seniors who take advantage of them, but also provide respite to their regular caregivers, many of whom are family members.”
Simitian noted that “Navigating either the social services or health care bureaucracy is a challenge at best. Trying to make your way through both at a trying time in your life is incredibly difficult. Making sure that folks find their way to the Kleiner Center and access the services they’re entitled to will be a huge help.”
Now that the County Board of Supervisors has approved the funding for the partnership, Avenidas will work to fill the position as soon as possible. The outreach program is expected to be running by the fall.
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