Advisory Councils
Each center has an Advisory Council consisting of volunteers who are responsible
for providing input to the center staff on programs and senior issues.
Most Advisory Councils are active in fundraising activities for their center
and meet once per month.
Adult Education
Most centers offer a wide variety of Adult Education classes at no cost
or very low cost. Typically, fitness classes (Tai- Chi, Body Conditioning,
Aerobics, and Dance), art classes (Oil Painting, Watercolor, Calligraphy,
Chinese Brush
Painting, and Ceramics) and life-time learning classes (Computer, Genealogy,
Conversational Spanish, California History and Current Events) are offered.
Check for classes in our Citywide Activity Guide. |
Information and Assistance Resource Center
A library of information where seniors, their families or caregivers can
receive assistance on resources available for older adults. Issues such
as care giving services, elder abuse, employment info, meal programs, prescription
medication
programs, volunteer placements, recreation, financial assistance, housing
and transportation. There is also information about community resources
and services. Call 408-979-7911 or come by 5730 Chambertin Drive.
|
Health Insurance Counseling
and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, available at all
centers (see Senior Service Directory on page 10) is free of charge. Trained
counselors will assist you with Medicare, Medi-Cal, supplemental insurance “D” prescription
drug coverage and long-term care insurance information or issues. Counselors
can also help you fill out claim forms. Please call your local center for
an appointment. |
Income Tax Preparation and Home Owners and Renters Assistance
Trained volunteers are available at your local center by appointment to
prepare your Federal and State income tax or fill out your Home Owners
and Renters rebate paperwork. Call your local center for an appointment
(see Senior Center Service Directory on page 10). If you are interested
in becoming a volunteer tax counselor, please call the Office on Aging
at 408-979-7906 for training
information. |
Information Hot Line
As part of the Older Adult Resource Program, Office on Aging operates an
information and assistance hot line (408-979-7911) Monday thru Friday from
9am-5pm. Staff is available to answer your questions about resources,
programs and services. 30-Minute couseling sessions are also offered (free
service).
Sometimes classes, programs, and events change from what is published in
the Activity Guide. We apologize for any inconvenience and make every effort
to inform you should this occur. |
Membership Cards
All centers offer a membership program for $10 per year.
Members receive additional benefits by joining their center
which may include discounts to monthly special events,
free pancake breakfast or BBQ, access to an entertainment
library and much more. Membership money directly supports
the programs and activities offered at your center. |
Municipal Health Service Program
(MHSP)
MHSP is a healthcare program and demonstration project funded by the federal
government. The program offers expanded medical services to eligible residents
of San Joséwho have Part B Medicare. Enrollment into the MHSP program
is closed and Congress has no plans to open enrollment
in the future. Contact 408-979-7914
|
Newcomers’ Orientation
Each month a Newcomers’ Orientation is held to provide an overview
of the programs and services offered at each center. Most centers include
a tour, free luncheon and an opportunity to meet staff and ask questions.
Check with your local center for the day and time of their Newcomers’ Orientation. |
Older Adult Resource Program
Older Adult Resource Specialists visit each community or senior center
once a week to provide information and linkage to services and resources
that promote independent living. The Specialist will work with the senior
and/or their
family to identify needs through an assessment process (can be conducted
in the senior’s home). Specialist will assist with reviewing options
and coordinating resources to meet identified needs. See the Senior Center
Service
Directory (page 10) for local center appointment. Contact 408-979-7907.
|
Retired and Senior Volunteer
Program (RSVP)
RSVP provides older adults (age 55+) with opportunities to volunteer at
sites throughout the San José area including senior centers, libraries
and hospitals. Volunteers serve without compensation but may be reimbursed
for certain
expenses such as mileage. All volunteers are covered by accident and liability
insurance. The RSVP program also offers free income tax preparation assistance
and home owners and renters assistance (described under Income Tax Assistance).
Contact the Office on Aging at 7906 for further details. |
Senior Adult Legal
Assistance (SALA)
SALA provides legal assistance by trained counselors for seniors aged 60
and over at most centers. Appointments are available by contacting your
local center. Counselors can help you with Durable Power of Attorney, elder
abuse,
social security or SSI issues and simple wills.
|
Senior Citizens Commission
The Senior Commission is comprised of 15 members appointed
by the Mayor and City Council and serve a 3-year term.
Members of the Commission study, review, and evaluate all
issues that may affect older persons in the City of San
José. Commission meetings are held the 2nd Thursday
of each month from 1:30-4:30 at the Office on Aging (5730
Chambertin Drive) and all meetings are open to the Public.
For more information on the Senior Commission, please phone
(408) 979-7915.
|
Senior Companion Program (SCP)
The Senior Companion Program recruits and trains senior
aged 60+ to become companions to other elders who are
homebound or in frail health. A Senior Companion volunteers
20 hours per week and receives a stipend. Senior
Companion clients are elders who are at risk of becoming
institutionalized without outside assistance. If you are
interested in the SCP, please contact 408-979-7915. |
Transportation
Transportation is available to most centers by City Van
and/or by the VTA Paratransit Outreach program at no
charge. Please contact your local center for details.
Transportation Discount Tickets: Flash Pass & BART
Most centers offer Bart tickets to those aged 65+. Each $6
ticket is good for $24 worth of Bart rides. In addition, the
VTA Monthly Flash Passes (unlimited monthly rides on
County transit buses and light rail) are available to seniors
over age 65 for $26. |
Vial of Life
The Vial of life kit enables emergency responders to quickly
locate medical information about you in case you are
unable to speak for yourself. A small vial stored in your
refrigerator and glove compartment provides all you pertinent
medical information. Paramedics, Police and
Firefighter are trained to look for the Vial of Life sticker on
your refrigerator or glove compartment. Pick up your Vial
of Life from your local center.
Council of Presidents
The Council of Presidents consists of all Community and Senior Center Advisory
Council Presidents or Chairs and meeting quarterly to share resources,
strengthen their role with the City and receive leadership training. They
meet the 4th Thursday from 1:30-3:00 in the months of January, April, July
and October at the Office on Aging (5730 Chambertin Drive). Meetings are
open to the Public. For more information about the Council of Presidents,
please phone (408) 979-7915.
|
Office
on Aging offers Bingo and Drop-in Activities
|
Bingo
Many centers have a bingo committee consisting of volunteers
who offer bingo once a week to all adults age 18
and over. The price of game packs and cash prizes varies
from center to center. The specific day and time your center
offers Bingo is listed on the Senior Center Service
Directory (page 10). If you are interested in playing bingo
or volunteering to serve on the bingo committee, please
contact your local center.
Drop–In Activities
All centers offer a wide variety of activities on a drop-in
basis that are free of charge. Typically, centers will offer
bridge, cards, table-tennis, choir, crafts, clubs, line dancing,
ballroom dances, drama, tennis, billiards and gardening.
Look under your local center to see what specific drop-in
activities they offer. |
|
Office
On Aging
5730 Chambertin Drive. San José, CA 95118-3910
Phone: 408-979-7915
Fax: 408-979-0536
Aging Services Helpline: 408-979-7911
[Chambertin is off Blossom Hill Road, Past Meridian
Avenue. Turn on to Chambertin and the building is on the park grounds.
Supervisor: Diane Lindberg
408-979-7908
Email: diane.lindberg@sanjoseca.gov
|
How to get there: Bus Line: 27.
Types of Programs: Information and assistance,
volunteer placement, assessment, support services,
job search assistance, tax assistance, and wellness
programs.
|
