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Here are phone numbers for nationa and Bay Area agencies that can help. Again, this is from the San Jose Mercury news and I am putting this on the list server w/o their permission. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- ELDER CARE: WHERE TO TURN WHEN YOU DECIDE YOU NEED HELP Published: Aug. 22, 1994 By KATHLEEN DONNELLY Mercury News Staff Writer There are thousands of agencies, both public and private, that provide services to older adults in the Bay Area. Here are the telephone numbers of information and referral services for your community. Be prepared to give the address, especially the ZIP code, of the person who needs assistance and a brief description of the problem or kind of help you are seeking. Eldercare Locator: telephone service that provides telephone numbers of information and referral agencies nationwide. Open 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Fri. (800) 677-1116. Santa Clara County: Senior Information & Referral Services, open for calls 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. (408) 345-4532, (800) 255-9333, for TDD, (408) 243-8566. Alameda County: Alameda County Area Agency on Aging, open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. In South County, (510) 352-5117; in North County, (510) 667-3067. Santa Cruz County: Senior Network Services, open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri. (408) 462-1433. Monterey County: Alliance on Aging of Monterey County, open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. (408) 646-4636. San Benito County: Senior Center of San Benito County, takes calls 24 hours a day, but to reach staff, call 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. (408) 637-9275. San Mateo County: Aging and Adult Services of San Mateo County, takes calls 24 hours a day. (800) 675-8437, for TDD, (800) 994-6166. The American Association of Retired Persons publishes a variety of materials to help caregivers, including AARP Caregiver Resource Kit (stock number D15267 ) and Nursing Home Life (stock number D13063). Readers may order one copy of each by sending a postcard to AARP Fulfillment (EE0646), 601 E St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20049. Be sure to include the name and stock number of the publication you want. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. When it comes to deciding what kind of help an older person needs, each case is individual. Finding the right help will take diligence and lots of telephone calls. But there is some general advice when it comes to helping a friend or relative find care. First, gather as much information about the situation as you can. What can the elderly person do, and what can t he or she handle anymore? Is cooking and house cleaning a problem? Does he or she need social or recreational programs? How about special medical needs? Is he or she depressed? Is transportation to and from doctors appointments needed? And don t forget the financial situation: how much can the person afford to spend? It may be difficult to talk to an elderly person about finding help, especially when the person is your mother or father. But those who work with the elderly suggest you try it s their life you re helping to arrange and, often, it s their money that will be spent. A social worker or care manager can help you sort through what kind of services the person needs. Call your local senior center, or a private care management company, and ask if they have a consultation service. Ask what the hourly fee is. Information and referral services can give you more information and telephone numbers of services available in your area. Your local senior center also is a good source of information. MERCURY CENTER CODE: L124 ID: me16658e Transmitted: 94-08-26 23:46:27 EDT