Who Are We?

The Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) was created by the Older Americans Act and is responsible for planning and developing policy, and advocating for the needs of seniors (age 60 and older), adults with disabilities (age 19 and older), and their caregivers. Federal, state and county monies fund programs that help seniors and people with disabilities remain in the community, in their own homes. The Sonoma County Agency on Aging is part of an aging network that includes 33 Area Agencies on Aging statewide and over 675 nationwide.

The Sonoma County Agency on Aging was established in 1980 by the California Department of Aging. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors serves as the Board of Directors of the Area Agency on Aging. The Area Agency on Aging is part of the Sonoma County Human Services Department, Adult and Aging Division, located at 3725 Westwind Blvd, Santa Rosa. The phone number is 707.565.5950. The fax number is 707.565.5957

The Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging services include: information and assistance, two case management programs (Linkages and Multipurpose Senior Services Program), fall prevention programs and the elder abuse prevention project.

As an advocate for older adults, adults with disabilities and family caregivers, the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging strives to ensure opportunities for independence and the highest possible quality of life are available to Sonoma County residents 60 years and older and younger adults with disabilities. The agency and its 21-member Advisory Council and community members review pending legislation, regulations and advocates with state lawmakers for the best interests of our older population.

Mission Statement

The Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging provides leadership, services and advocacy to promote the dignity, independence and quality of life for seniors, adults with disabilities and their caregivers. To implement the mission, the Area Agency on Aging is guided by the following principles:

• Respect for the individual
• Self determination
• Promote safety and well being
• Quality accessible services
• Target resources to the most vulnerable
• Ensure non-discrimination
• Develop community options

This mission is accomplished through a network of services, education, advocacy, problem solving, program planning and funding.

Goals

The goals of the Somona County Area Agency on Aging include:

• Improve access to transportation resources;
• Increase awareness of health and social services;
• Increase access to home and community-based services;
• Improve access to affordable housing options.

The Older Americans Act

The federal Older Americans Act (OAA) was enacted by Congress in 1965 to establish mandates for the provision and funding of services to the 60-plus population. The Administration on Aging (AoA) through state units on aging is responsible for distributing funds and monitoring OAA mandates.

The OAA and the AoA, along with state units on aging, are the foundation for a nationwide network of senior advocates called Area Agencies on Aging.

Area Agency on Aging

The Area Agency on Aging was created by the OAA mandating local leadership and advocacy to accomplish state and federal program goals within the guidelines of the California Department of Aging. The Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging works hand-in-hand with the community to carry out the objectives of the OAA and provides the necessary tools to build a quality way of life with dignity and respect.

Community Outreach

Community outreach is important to the Area Agency on Aging. Community contact serves as an avenue to assess the current needs of older adults.

The Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging makes itself available to the community through public meetings, by participating in senior functions and by making the agency accessible to the people it serves. Advisory Council members and agency staff provide presentations on senior services and resources, fall prevention, elder abuse prevention and family caregiver issues to community groups and organizations upon request, call 707.565.5950.