CLEARLAKE — Mike Parkinson of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) said he believes his organization remains “one of the best kept secrets around,” despite its best efforts. The AAA program coordinator spoke Thursday in Clearlake at the Thursday Morning Breakfast Group hosted by Judge Richard Freeborn.
Parkinson said, “Unless a senior or caregiver has used one of our programs, they probably haven”t heard about us.”
In addition to the information and assistance line, Parkinson detailed programs for meals (in and out of home), a senior resource directory, legal advice, tax assistance, caregiver support, abuse prevention and other services. AAA, based in Lakeport, serves both Lake and Mendocino counties.
Parkinson said the agency, like many, is being pushed to do more with less. “Four years ago state funding disappeared,” Parkinson said. Some federal and county monies remain to aid the growing population of seniors, about half of whom don”t have sufficient income to meet basic needs.
Parkinson said that while the federal government defines the poverty level at $11,170 income per year, a more accurate measure of local essential living costs is $20,000. The median Social Security income is $11,000.
The most rapidly growing segment of the senior population in Lake and Mendocino Counties is the 85 year and older category, projected to increase 218 percent between 2010 and 2040, compared to 66 percent for the total population of the counties. This “oldest” group tends to have “multiple needs and issues,” according to Parkinson.
New directions for the AAA include developing a website, providing cooling centers (one already in place is Highlands Senior Center in Clearlake) and bringing more money into the meal programs through CalFresh (formerly Food Stamps).
Janice Hubbell, AAA director, was also present at the breakfast and said afterward that seniors are being encouraged and helped to apply for CalFresh. Many don”t realize they are eligible. Live Oak Seniors, in Clearlake Oaks, is already accepting payment for its meals with the program”s plastic cards, which look like and can be swiped like debit cards. Hubbell added that no one is turned away for lack of funds at meal programs.
The AAA senior information and assistance number is 800-510-2020. It is staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
