The Ukiah Senior Center serves as the legal and financial representative for seniors who are referred to us by Adult Protective Services. Those referred are individuals not capable of managing their finances due to previous financial abuse, declining health, or the loss of a loved one who handled their financial matters. In this situation, the Ukiah Senior Center opens a checking account in the Center’s and the senior’s name, with the Center providing a representative payee service. For added safety, the checking account requires two staff signatures for any disbursements. All income received from the senior is deposited directly into the representative payee account. All of the seniors bills are sent to the Center’s address and paid by the outreach worker. A budget is set up to ensure bills are paid in a timely manner and that the senior has an adequate allowance for food and an established reserve for unanticipated expenses.

We offer guidance on a variety of insurance-related areas, including qualifications for public health insurance coverage, signing up for Social Security benefits, selecting a Medicare supplemental plan, reviewing the choices for Part D coverage for prescriptions, and enrolling in Covered California for those under 65 without medical coverage.When it comes to making decisions regarding insurance, the task can seem daunting, especially when making a major change, such as entering the retirement years. People lose their company-covered health plans and are expected to enroll for Social Security and Medicare benefits with no knowledge of how to do so. We are here to help with these major changes, and if we don’t have the answers, we will refer you to a local agency to help enroll you in a plan that meets your needs.Medicare Prescription Part D plan coverage can change every year, and it affects which prescriptions are generic or allowed. Each year from October 15 thru December 7, there is an open enrollment period during which seniors may change their plans for the next calendar year. Our staff will review your medications and help you determine which plan is most beneficial. In choosing a Part B supplemental plan, did you know that certain plans have a “silver sneakers” option which covers your monthly gym fee? So many things to consider. Give us a call with your questions.

We can help seniors get on the waiting list for senior subsidized housing. There are many senior and low-income senior housing units in Ukiah. This subsidized benefit is the only way many can afford safe and centrally located housing. The waiting list can take months, but sometimes openings happen quickly, and having your name on multiple lists is helpful. Once in a new home, the Ukiah Senior Center Thrift Store is an inexpensive way to get re-established; it offers deals on everything from curtains and bedding to housewares and furniture.

Seniors are often too proud or reluctant to ask for assistance in meeting their most basic need, food. Did you know, if you earn less than $1,200 per month (for one person), you may be eligible for CalFresh funding? Qualified medical expenses are deducted from your gross total and allow the limit to be even lower.

CalFresh is money specifically for food that is placed on a debit card. The CalFresh support accumulates on the card and does not have to be used in the month received. So even if the monthly allotment is low, the cumulated total after several months can be significant, allowing seniors to stock up on food for the freezer and pantry.

Another exciting benefit for the Ukiah area is Ukiah Farmers’ Markets DOUBLES in value of the funds on the CalFresh card used at the farmer’s market. If $30 is spent using the CalFresh card, the senior will receive $60 worth of products from the Farmers’ Market vendor.

We can help by steering seniors in the direction of other food sources available in the community, such as commodities from the Federal Government through the Commodity Supplement Food Program (CSFP), Food Bank distribution dates and times, Plowshares Meals on Wheels or Ukiah Senior Center lunch deliveries for home-bound seniors, the in-house lunch program served at the Ukiah Senior Center weekdays at 11:30 a.m. and Ukiah Senior Center Food Distribution each weekday starting at 9:00 in Bartlett Event Center.

Getting to and from medical appointments in a rural community is difficult for seniors who live alone and do not have a network of friends or family to depend upon. Seniors rely on us to pick them up for medical appointments. Seniors also call us because they do not drive, and their medical appointments are out of town. If necessary, we will transport seniors as far away as San Francisco for a needed doctor’s visit. Call our Outreach department for current fees or to schedule a ride to your next appointment.

Just call 462-4343 x7006. Rides will be scheduled on a first-come-first served basis. It is important to call as soon in advance as possible. We will try to accommodate all ride requests, dependent upon the availability of volunteer drivers and vehicles for specific dates and times. You will find our flat mileage rates very reasonable and we are committed to providing the best service at a low cost.