Willow Glen Resident

Community

Office on Aging provides one-stop shopping

By Monica Heger

San Jose seniors can now take advantage of the city's largest one-stop resource center. The Office on Aging relocated to the former Almaden Winery with resources on legal advice, transportation, health, housing, nutrition, employment and a host of other information. The intent of the program, operated by the San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services department, is to hook up seniors with community resources that promote independent living. Seniors can access information over the help line or in person.

A report put together by five local county agencies found that Santa Clara County has the highest number of senior citizens of any Bay Area county. From 1990 to 2010, the report projected, the number of senior citizens in the Bay Area will increase by 93 percent, from 242,000 to 467,000.

"We are only serving a fraction of the seniors out there," Jerry Clodius said. "Seniors need help. They want help. They just don't know where to turn. Here is a place where everything is available, not just the specific thing they want, but lots of other information."

The information available at the center includes listings for senior housing in and around San Jose, information on adult education programs and safety information.

"I don't know of any other center like this in San Jose," said Tina Fong-Erling, a gerontology supervisor with the Office on aging.

Wong-Erling said that down the road she hopes to add workshops, bringing in guest speakers to talk about topics such as Medicare, Alzheimer's and housing. The center will also have a computer lab, and Wong-Erling hopes to be able to recruit and train volunteers to help staff the center.

She emphasizes that the resource center is not just for those ages 50 and older. The center is open to all San Jose residents. Professionals specializing in senior care as well those who run senior apartment complexes will also find the center useful, she said.

Karla Brown, with Aristo-Care, a home health care agency, is among the non-seniors who have already used the center.

"The center is providing lots of information in one place," Brown said. "I will check in regularly."

Marc Tumlinson, the resident manager for Chai House Incorporated, a senior apartment complex, said he would also be using the resource center.

"More and more, the elderly are living longe, and resources are dwindling," Tumlinson said. "For the older and independent, funds are limited."

The Office on Aging Older Adult Services is located at 5730 Chambertin Drive on the park grounds at the Old Almaden Winery. For more information, call 408.979.7915. The Aging Services Helpline is 408.979.7911.