How a regional agency helps older adults secure housing
by Dorsey Griffith
Economies of scale can make a significant difference in providing services for older adults. The Agency on Aging Area 4 (AAA4), which serves seniors in seven Northern California counties, can pool resources to implement programs that reach beyond county boundaries. These programs reflect and benefit from the region’s geographic and demographic diversity.
“This applies from the services we offer to individuals and families all the way to our advocacy for issues at the Capitol,” said Will Tift, AAA4’s planning administrator. “We have urban, suburban, rural, frontier—the whole spectrum of counties. We are a microcosm of California, so it makes us a good testing ground for programs and a strong advocate, as well.”
Key Connections is one example. The home-sharing program connects people with extra rooms in their homes with others who need to find housing.
“We match those who are house-rich and cash-poor with compatible roommates,” Tift says. “The homeowner can earn rental income, companionship, and help around the house.”
Key Connections is coordinated by Gail Samuels, AAA4 Key Connections co-living coordinator, who provides education and support to homeowners. She also helps potential landlords and tenants navigate rental agreements, tax implications, or possible conflicts that may arise between a landlord and a roommate.
“A homeowner may wonder, what if I rent to someone and we don’t get along?” Tift says. “We work with both parties and talk about things like, what time do you go to bed? When do you want the house to be quiet? All those little things that can become real deal breakers and create conflict. We help iron those things out up front.”
AAA4 also runs a program called Get Set Up, a national platform offering free online classes for seniors.
“The instructors are all older adults themselves,” Tift notes.
Class subjects range from basic computer skills and sending emails and attachments to taking better pictures with a mobile phone, baking, foreign language, arts and crafts and exercise.
“We pay the membership subscription so that people who go through our program can take classes for free,” Tift says. “It’s a good example of something we can do because we are a large regional organization.”
AAA4’s long-term care ombudsman program, which covers all seven counties, also advocates on behalf of residents in congregate living facilities, skilled nursing homes and other living facilities for older adults.
The agency ensures ombudsmen are available in every part of the region to respond to resident or family member complaints about abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, maltreatment or poor care. They also help residents, families and staff understand their rights and responsibilities.
“We have an office based in Sacramento but still have boots on the ground and a physical presence in facilities throughout our seven counties,” Tift says.
Tift says that although the geographical scope of AAA4’s work is large, he sees this as a strength, not as an obstacle.
“We are strongest when we stand together,” he says.
For more information on Key Connections and Agency on Aging Area 4 visit www.agencyonaging4.org/key-connections.
