County Survey Seeks Public Input about Older Adult Services

The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) invites Sonoma County residents of all ages to offer input on future programs and services for older adults, seniors, persons with disabilities, and local caregivers by completing its countywide Senior Needs Assessment Survey by June 30. Community members can take the anonymous survey online or on paper, or join a group discussion on aging issues during April, May and June.

 “Community members’ input will guide the new plan of action for the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging 2020-2024 Area Plan,” says Human Services Department Adult and Aging Division Director Paul Dunaway. “The results will guide funding priorities for programs and services for the next four years.” The AAA, part of the Adult and Aging Division, will publicly distribute the 2020-24 AAA Plan in spring 2020.

There are three ways to complete the three-page survey in Spanish or English:

• Online in English: www.research.net/r/SoCo_AAA19
  Online in Spanish: www.research.net/r/SoCo_AAA19_Esp
• Paper copies are available at senior centers and locations where older adults access services, or by request from the AAA at (707) 565-5950. Mail completed surveys to the AAA in the envelope provided at no cost.
• At a group discussion about aging issues on one of the dates listed below. To request language or other interpreter services at the group or for more information, call (707) 565-5950 one week prior. 

The anonymous survey asks residents’ to rate topics of most and least concern in areas such as housing, transportation, remaining safely at home, and caregiving. Residents can also identify concerns about aging, including physical and mental health and quality of life, and to indicate where help is needed in areas such as care management, household help and managing medications. It also gathers demographics about residents who complete the survey to identify concerns that need special attention for services and support. 

AAA Advisory Council Chair Terry Kelley says, “The concerns that arose in the survey four years ago helped us understand what the community needed most. For instance, because transportation was a high priority, the Council provided additional support to senior transport programs. As one example of that funding’s positive impact, an older client in Guerneville can now has more access to the free transportation she needs get to her Santa Rosa medical appointments.”

AAA Needs Assessment Group Discussions:

• Thursday, April 18, 10-11 a.m., Windsor Senior Center, 9231 Foxwood Drive, Windsor. Register: https://aaafocusgroup041819.eventbrite.com
  
• Friday, April 19, 1-2 p.m., Vintage House Senior Center, 264 1st Street East, Sonoma. Register: https://aaafocusgroup041919.eventbrite.com
• Friday, April 26, 11 a.m.-noon, Russian River Senior Center, 15010 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville. Register: aaafocusgroup042619.eventbrite.com.
• Tuesday, May 14, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Cloverdale Multipurpose Senior Center, 311 North Main Street, Cloverdale. Register: aaafocusgroup051419.eventbrite.com.
• Thursday, May 16, 1-2 p.m., Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 North High Street, Sebastopol. Register: aaafocusgroup051619.eventbrite.com.
• Tuesday, May 21, 11 a.m.-noon, Petaluma Senior Center, 211 Novak Drive, Petaluma. Register: aaafocusgroup052119.eventbrite.com.
• LGBTQ+ Focus, Thursday, May 23, 1-2 p.m., Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 North High Street, Sebastopol. Register: aaafocusgroup052319.eventbrite.com.
• Thursday, May 23, 3:45-4:45 p.m., Finley Community Center, Person Senior Wing, 2060 West College Avenue, Room 22 Upstairs, Santa Rosa. Register: aaafocusgroup052319sr.eventbrite.com.
• Monday, June 3, 1-2 p.m., Village Network of Petaluma, PEP Community Room, 955 Petaluma Boulevard South, Petaluma. Register: https://aaafocusgroup060319.eventbrite.com

The 2020-24 AAA Plan will be publicly distributed in spring 2020 on paper and online. To download the 2016-20 AAA Plan, The Art of Aging, click on the link on the AAA home page: sonomacounty.ca.gov/Human-Services/Adult-and-Aging/Area-Agency-on-Aging/.

With the oversight of its community Advisory Council, the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging makes recommendations to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors regarding the needs of older and disabled adults and their caregivers. To help define the needs of older and disabled adults and their caregivers, the Area Agency on Aging publishes an Area Plan and Community Report every four years.