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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | FEBRUARY 2022 11 The Riverside County Office on Aging (OOA) provides 27 different programs and services for seniors. While COVID may limit some services offered at this time, if you have a question, concern, or need, the Office on Aging team is available to assist you from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday at (951) 867-3895. The call center is available at (877) 932-4100 with the same hours except for Tuesdays, 10 am to 5 pm. Listed here are just a few available services and programs. If you have any questions or concerns not addressed with the programs listed, give them a call or go to www.rcaging.org. Care Pathways: If you are helping a family member or friend with shopping, dressing, transportation, doctor appointments, meal preparation, legal issues, medications, finances, then you are a caregiver. If you want more information on how best to provide assistance, consider signing up for Care Pathways. It's a program of 12 workshops. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: The Riverside County OOA's Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program (GRG) is here to provide emotional and practical support as you face the challenges of parenting again. Health Promotion & Social Engagement Programs: The Healthy Options Program (HOP) is an evidence-based chronic disease self- management program developed by Stanford University, which consists of a series of 2.5-hour workshops taught once a week for six weeks in community settings such as senior and community centers, 55-plus housing communities, libraries, hospitals, or places where older adults gather. Bingocize is a hybrid movement program that combines the classic Bingo game with intermittent movement between every few calls and at the conclusion of each game. Participants can get up and move around the room or stay seated. Fit After 50 is a free exercise program that improves strength, balance, and mobility through stretching, upper and lower body resistance, and core exercises. Walk with Ease is a free community-based walking program developed by the Arthritis Foundation. Group sessions meet three times community per week for six weeks in settings such as senior and centers, 55-plus housing communities, libraries. Nutrition Education - Through a trained and certified Health Educator and a Registered Dietitian, the Office on Aging provides quarterly health and nutrition education at all of their congregate meal sites and through contracted providers along home delivered meal routes. The Registered Dietitian also oversees site menus and trains meal providers about proper food preparation and storage procedures. In addition, the Nutrition Educator provides general nutrition information and materials at fairs, senior and community centers, and housing communities for older adults. SNAP Education - The OOA participates in a county-wide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) initiative to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP will make healthy choices within a limited budget and choose active lifestyles. The program offers nutrition classes and information to low- income older adults, who may qualify for the benefit, and encourages them to apply for food assistance. Mental Health Liaisons - Though a partnership with Riverside University Health System - Behavioral Health, counseling staff are imbedded in the OOA to assist older adults with navigating the behavioral health system Gay and Gray – LBGT Services in Riverside County The Riverside County Office on Aging developed strategic goals in the 2016-2020 Area Plan on Aging, "The Changing Face of Aging," which will help the LGBT community identify and access LGBT friendly resources and services. Additional goals include conducting in-service training and education sessions for community partners and service providers regarding cultural competencies and sensitivities affecting the LGBT community. Senior Nutrition Program The Senior Nutrition Program is offered throughout Riverside County. Meals are free of charge to anyone over 60 years of age, their qualified partners or spouses, and program volunteers. A $3 donation per person is suggested, but not required to enjoy the meal. Donations provide additional funding to expand nutrition services to the growing older adult population. TRIP – For seniors and disabled who are unable to get where they need to go any other way. If you know anyone who hardly leaves their home, misses doctor's appointments, can't get their groceries, or can't get to there places they need to go, then call the OOA today. ~Information courtesy of RivCo OOA Riverside County Office of Aging