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Home > Wine Country Games > Registered Athletes We do not provide a list of individual athlete registrations.

Home > Meals on Wheels > From the Dietitian Here we offer informative articles on making your daily life healthy and happy! Sodium Intake Fiber ! What is a Portion? Eating Healthy o n the Run Beans, Nuts, & Seeds Importance of Staying Hydrated Benefits of Avocado Benefits of Garlic 12 Health Tips Healthy Eating & Alzheimer's Disease Serving & Portion Sizes Healthy Weight Loss Powering Up With Breakfast ​ ​ Sodio Fibra ! Qué es una poción? Comer de manera sana en nuestro dia-a-dia: Fijoles, Nueces, & Semillas La Importancia de Mantenerse Hidratado Beneficios del Aguacate Tamaños y Porciones 12 Consejos de Salud Beneficios del Ajo Alimentacion Saludable Enfermedad de Alzheimer Pierda Peso de Forma Saludable Inicia Bien tu día con un Desayuno Energético ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Home > Services > Resources for Aging Parents Many of us are living the life of the “sandwich generation” — caught between caring for our children and our aging parents. We are grateful that Mom and Dad are still here to share life with us, yet we also face fear and concern when illness and decline take place. How do we navigate this road with our aging parents? Your first call should always be the Council on Aging Services for Seniors at 707-525-0143. We offer an array of financial, nutritional, and social services that may fit your parent’s needs if they reside in Sonoma County. In addition, below are some additional resources: AARP: Are You Ready to Move Your Aging Parent Into Your Home? Mayo Clinic: Healthy Aging Kiplinger: Caring for Your Aging Parents ​

Home > Wine Country Games > Choose a Sport > Lawn Bowling 2024 REGISTER Lawn Bowling May 31st & June 1st ​ Venue: Oakmont Lawn Bowling Green 245 White Oak Drive, Santa Rosa Parking is available on-site. Please consider carpooling. ​ Tournament Schedule: Friday, May 31st Registration: 8 am-8:45 am Games: 9 am-2:30 pm Lunch: 12:15 pm- 1:00 pm Saturday, June 1st Registration: 8 am-8:45 am Games: 9 am-2:30 pm Lunch: 12:15 pm- 1:00 pm ​ ​ ​ Registration opens: March 1, 2024 Deadline for registration: Friday, May 24th 2024 at 5pm Categories: Teams are composed of three registered/paying players. Teams can be a mix of age and gender. Age divisions: there are no age group divisions in Lawn Bowling. However, players must be 50+ in order to participate. Levels: This tournament is open to any Lawn Bowls Club or any individual with the proper basic knowledge of Lawn Bowls rules and reasonable competitive experience. Fees: $60 registration fee, plus a $10 sport fee. ​ ​ There will be a cap on the number of teams that can register for the competition. In 2024, that number will be 16 teams. ​ T ournament Details & Rules : Bowls USA and OLBC (Oakmont Lawn Bowling Club) Rules will govern the games. A non-certified umpire will be on-site throughout the tournament. We play triples with a total of 6 games There are 3 games on Friday and 3 on Saturday, with 10 ends per game. The teams will play 6 games. Medals (gold, silver and bronze) will be awarded to the top 3 teams after Saturday’s games. If a game is tied after 10 ends, one more end will be played to break the tie. If your bowl hits the plinth and stays in play, the bowl remains live (there are some spots on the green where the plinth is higher than the green). Team communication through hand signals is encouraged and preferred. There will be 2 “trial ends.” If only one team wants to do this, that will be allowed. If neither team wants to do the 2 “trial ends,” they can start the game. “Burnt” ends will not be replayed, but play will continue. The jack will be placed at the 2 meter mark (OLBC rule). Preferred dress is white, cream, or team shirts. Smooth-soled, heel-less shoes are required and can be of any color. We have spiders on Friday and Saturday morning. When teams are ready to start their second or third games, you do not need to wait for everyone to begin. T-shirt: included with registration and available at check-in. No size exchanges will be possible on-site. ​ Medals: Will be awarded to the top three teams: Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals will not b e mailed Medals will not be available for pick-up at Council on Aging office Stay for the ceremony or make arrangements with someone to pick up your medal ​ Questions about the Games? Contact Coby LaFayette 707-525-0143, ext. 117 clafayette@councilonaging.com Printable Lawn Bowling Flier ​ a BIG thank you to our tournament hosts, without whom this would not be possible: oakmontlawnbowling.com

Home > About Us > Contact Us We are your first call for senior services! ​ 30 Kawana Springs Road Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Open: M-Th, 8:30am-5pm; Fri, 8:30am-3:30pm 707-525-0143 info@councilonaging.com www.facebook.com/councilonaging.sonoma www.twitter.com/SonomaMOW www.instagram.com/councilonaging

Home > Wine Country Games > Choose a Sport > Bocce 2024 REGISTER Bocce - June 1st & 2nd Registration for our Bocce Tournament is closed If you'd like to put a team on our waitlist, please contact Coby at: clafayette@councilonaging.com ​ Venue : Julliard Park Bocce Courts 227 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Ro sa Parking is extreme ly limited on-site and in the adjacent neighborhood. Please carpool. ​ Tournament Schedule: Saturday, June 1st Registration: 8a m-9am Games: 9am-1pm ​ Sunday, June 2nd Registration: 8:30am-9am Games: 9am-1:45pm ​ ​ Registration opens: March 1, 2024 Deadline for registration: Friday, May 24th at 5pm Categories: Teams are comp osed of four registered/paying players and two alternates. Teams can be a mix of age and gender. Age divisions: Players must be 50+ in order to participate. Levels: All skill levels are welcome to compete. Registration Cap: A maximum of 18 teams can register for this tournament. Fees: $60 registration fee, plus a $10 sport fee. Alternates do not pay, but should be listed on the team roster. T-shir t: I ncluded wit h registration and available at check-in. No size exchanges will be possible on-site. ​ Tournament D etails & Rules: All balls must be pl aced in the ball racks between frames for safety reasons. Beginning t he Match: Capos from both teams flip a coin to start the match. The winner of the coin flip may choose to throw the pallino first or choose the color of the balls. Teams must play on assigned courts. A player may toss the pallino any distance so long as the pallino passes the centerline of the court and does not hit the back wall. If a player fails to validly toss the pallino after two (2) attempts, the opposing team will have one chance to put the pallino in play. If the opposing team fails to achieve a proper toss, the pallino will be placed on the centerline. In any case, when the pallino has been properly put into play, the team that originally tossed the pallino will throw the first bocce ball. ​ Rolling/Shooting: Rolling and Shooting are allowed. The ball must contact the playing surface before reaching the center-line. Lofting and any form of Volo shooting is not allowed. The safety of players and spectators is our primary concern. ​ Playing the Game: The team that originally tossed the pallino, whether successfully or not throws the first bocce ball. If a bocce ball hits the back wall, the ball is called dead and removed from the court and that team must roll again until a ball is left in play. After a ball has been left in play, the opposing team will roll until one of their balls is closest to the pallino or they have thrown all of their balls. The team whose bocce ball is closest to the pallino is called ‘Holding’ or ‘In’. This continues until both teams have used all of their bocce balls. The team, who scored last, throws the pallino to begin the next frame. If a player rolls the wrong colored ball, simply replace it with the correct color when the ball comes to rest. If a player rolls out of turn, return the thrown ball and replace any moved balls back to the approximate spot before the ball was thrown. Each team member rolls 2 balls. If a player rolls more balls than is allowed in any one frame, that 3rd ball is dead and w ill be removed from the court, replacing all balls to prior positions. If a ball is moved accidentally before all 8 balls are played, the scorekeeper/referee replaces the ball or balls to the approximate original position in a properly sportsmanlike manner. When a team wins a game pl ayers exchange ends of the court and substitutions may be made. A team may make two substitutions per game, (one substitution from each end). Substitutions may be made between frames if needed. A player substituting out may not re-enter the same game. The team winning the previous game will toss the pallino to start the next game. Practice between games is not allowed . ​ Dead Ball Ro l ls: Should any bocce ball make contact with the back wall, the bocce ball is considered a dead ball on impact and is removed from play until the end of the frame. If after a valid play only the pallino remains on the court, the team that last rolled must roll again until a ball remains in play or that team is out of balls. If the thrown ball comes to rest o n the pallino or another ball that is touching the back wall that thrown ball remains in play. The ball touching the back wall is removed from the play. If the pallino is touching the back wall it remains in play If a bocce ball, after hitting the back wall, strikes a stationary bocce ball, that stationary bocce ball shall be replaced in its original position. The thrown ball is removed from play. Play will continue only after the dead ball is removed from the end of the court by either a player or scorekeeper. If a bocce ball is thrown before the ball is removed, that ball will be returned to the player and thrown again. ​ Pallino: Once the pallino has been put into play, it remains in play even if it hits the back wall. However, if the pallino is knocked out of the court, the frame will end, no points are awarded, and the game will resume from the opposite end of the court with the same team tossing the pallino. ​ Foul Li ne: Player’s movements are limited to the foul line. The player may step up to, but not on or over the foul line before releasing the pallino or balls. There will be a first time warning, the second time the ball will be declared dead and removed from the court and any affected balls will be replaced in the approximate positions. If the intent of the foot foul rule is abused, a Director of Sonoma County Bocce Club may remove the offending player from the game. ​ Scoring: Only one team scores in a frame. One point is given for each ball that is closer to the pallino than any ball of the opposing team. If during the game opposing balls are at equal distance from the pallino, the last team to throw will throw again. If at the end of any frame the closest ball of each team is equal distance from the pallino, the frame ends in a tie and no points are awarded to either team. The game will resume from the opposite end of the court with the same team tossing the pallino. ​ Measurement s: All measurements will be made from the inside dimension of the bocce ball to the inside dimension of the pallino. Only scorekeepers and one representative from each of the opposing team may be present, on the court, durin g measurements. Both Capos must agree on which team has the point(s) if the scorekeepers cannot agree. If both teams have balls remaining, the team that does not have the closest ball to the pallino rolls again, if all balls have been played, points are awarded based on the balls that are actually closest to the pallino. ​ Forfeits, Starting T imes: A team not present within 15 minutes after the start time, forfeits the match. ​ Protes ts: A protest will be considered valid only if the opposing Capo is notified at the time of the dispute (before the next frame begins) and the game is officially recognized as being played under protest. No more than six (6) people may be on a roster. A person can only play on one league team. A team forfeits any game in which they play a non-roster player. If a team fields less than two (2) players, the game is considered a forfeit. Three players constitute a team. A 3-member team may play throwing only 2 balls per player. A 3rd or 4th player arriving late may enter the game after the completion of the currently active frame. No player may play two consecutive games from the same end of the court. A player who does not play the second game may re-enter at either end of the court for the third game. Players need not throw alternate throws. Consecutive or alternating throws by teammates shall be at the option of the players. To preserve the integrity of the courts and in the interest of safety, all participating players must wear flat-soled shoes. No bare feet or open-toed shoes will be allowed. ​ Conduct and Courtesy: T eam Capos are responsible for the actions of their players and fans (spectators). If there is any problem with a spectator that is not involved wit h any team, both Capos will suspend play and will at tempt to resolve the problem in a timely fashion. If a player is standing in the playing half of the court while the opposing team is rolling and the opposing team requests that the player step aside, that request will be honored. Only participating players will be o n the court while the game is in progress. Spectators are not allowed on the courts anytime during regulation play. Unsportsmanlike conduct and vulgarity will not be tolerated by SCBF. If the conduct goes beyond the control of the captain, the opposing team has the option of stopping the game and claiming forfeit of the game and any remaining games and will note this on the score sheet. There is no smoking allowed. (Ordinance No. 3786). All animals must be on a leash at all times. (Ordinance No. 3796). All beverages must be in non-glass containers, per Park rules. For any situations not covered here USBF rules will apply. ​ Med als : Awarde d to t he top three teams Gold, Silver, and Bronze. ​Medals will not be mailed and will not be available for pick-up at Council on Aging office. Please stay for the ceremony or make arrangements for someone to pick up your medal there. ​ Questions about the Games? Contact Coby LaFayette 707-525-0143, ext. 117 clafayette@councilonaging.com Printable Bocce Flier ​ A BIG thank you to our tournament hosts, without whom this would not be possible: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Home > Support Us > Special Event Sponsorships Heels4Meals May 2024 ​ Our annual fundraising luncheon benefitting Council on Aging . Sponsorship opportunities available. ​ Contact Rachel Jones at 707-525-0143 X146 or email rjones@councilonaging.com ​ ​ Sono ma Wine Country Games June 2024 The Sonoma Wine Country Games encourages healthy and active lifestyles to adults 50+ through education, connections and the spirited competition of sport. It offers opportunities to connect to this affluent and fast-growing market in event and sports sponsorship. ​ Contact Coby LaFayette at 707-525-0143 X117 or email clafayette@councilonaging.com ​ ​ ​ ​

Home > Services > Social Services Adult Day Respite Program Our Adult Day Respite Program is designed to support persons living with memory loss and their caregivers. We offered loved ones a much- needed respite from the mental and physical demands of care-giving while participants enjoy social, cognitive and physical activity to enhance their quality of life. ​ Over the years, the Adult Day Respite Program has helped many isolated seniors remain, healthy, happy and connected with their community. ​ HOURS & LOCATIONS 10am to 2:00pm Santa Rosa at Church of the Roses, 2500 Patio Court on Mondays & Wednesdays Sebastopol at Sebastopol Senior Center, 167 No. High Street on Mondays & Wednesdays Sonoma at Vintage House, 264 First Street E. on Tuesdays & Thursdays Day Respite-Alzheimer's, 490 Mendocino Ave., Monday through Friday ​ DAILY ACTIVITIES Gentle Group Exercise Creative Art & Music Activities Nutritious Lunch Stimulating Brain Games Performances by Musicians and Artists No fee, contributions welcome. ​ NEW! Flex Care We are excited to announce the opening of a new respite program that is similar to our existing Day Respite groups, with the intention of providing a higher level of care. The new program's schedule will also have more flexibility, and will all ow us to provide both group and individual activities for participants with more flexibility. This program will become available on Mondays and Wednesdays, beginning on May 1st. For more information on Flex Care, click here! ​ Jamie Escoubas, Director of Social & Fiduciary Services 707-525-0143 x108, jescoubas@councilonaging.com ​ Senior Peer Support A 12-week supportive program for adults age 60+ that matches peer volunteers for home visits with older adults facin g challenges such as depression, isolation, grief and caregiver stress. Volunteers are supervised by a licensed ment al health clinician. No fee, contributions welcome. We are not accepting clients at this time. ​ Chris Rairdon, Clinical Supervisor 07-525-0143 x106, crairdon@councilonaging.com Family Justice Center A Council on Aging Elder Advocate is based at the Family Justice Center to provide support and care coordination for older adults who are experiencing domestic, physical, emotional, s exual or financial abuse. For adults 65+. No fee, contributions welcome. ​ Jeanie O’Neill, Elder Advocate, 707-565-8265, jeanie.oneill@sonoma-county.org ​

Home > About Us Our Mission ​ To enhance the quality of life for our aging community by providing services that promote well-being and maintain independence. ​ Our Core Values​ ​We are driven by compassion and commitment to service. We commit to excellence in everything we do. We demand integrity…at all times…everywhere. We anticipate, create, and innovate. We work as a team with respect, trust, and humor. ​ Our Agency Values Diversity Whatever your ethnicity, religion, country of origin, language, abilities, sexual orientation, or gender; you are welc ome here. ​ Who We A re Council on Aging Services for Seniors is a private 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization which has been providing services for Sonoma County citizens over the age of 60 since 1966. The area’s beautiful surroundings, safe atmosphere, and senior housing have attracted over 137,000 older adults to this community. In fact, Santa Rosa is ranked 6th in the nation for cities having the highest population over 85 years of age. ​ While some elders may never require one of our service programs, many of these 137,000 seniors will come to rely on our help at some point in their lives. More Americans are living much longer than ever before, and as the” Baby Boomers” retire, the need for our services will be greater than ever. ​ Council on Aging provides information and services only for seniors age 60+ in Sonoma County, California. For more information about Council on Aging, call 707-525-0143. If you are seeking services outside of Sonoma County, you may call Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116. DONATE NOW Council on Aging is a 501(C)(3) Nonprofit Organization.

Home > Wine Country Games > Choose a Sport > Pickleball 2024 REGISTER Pickleball June 7th-9th ​ ​ ​ Venue: Sunrise Park Courts 5301 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park Please carpool. Parking is extremely limited on-site and in the ad jacent neighborhood. ​ Tournament Schedule: Friday, June 7: Women’s Doubles 7:00 – 7:45am Check-in 8:00am Games Begin Saturday, June 8: Mixed Doubles 7:00 – 7:45am Check-in 8:00am Games Begin Sunday, June 9: Men’s Doubles 7:00 – 7:45am Check-in 8:00am Games Begin ​ ​ Registration opens: March 1, 2024 ​ Deadline for registration: Friday, May 24th at 5pm Registration cap: 250 athletes ​ Fees: $60 registration fee, plus $20 per competition category. Any registrations added after May 24th are at the discretion of the tournament director. These late entry r egistrants will be charged $85+ event fees. ​ Categories: Men’s doubles, Women’s doubles and Mixed doubles ​ Age divisions: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, & 80+ ​ Levels: All are welcome! Novice (2.0-2.5)—very little play experience Advanced Beginner (2.5-3.0)—substantial play experience Intermediate (3.0-4.0)—experienced competitor Advanced (4.0-5.0)—advanced players ​ Tournament Details & Rules: This is a non-sanctioned, un-refereed, inclusive community tournament USAP/IFP rules govern play Double elimination play for men’s, women’s and mixed doubles We reserve the right to change the round-robin format for any age division based on entry numbers, space restrictions and any other circumstance effecting play Outdoor (neon) balls will be provided and used for play Need a partner? Go to the tournament registration site to see who’s looking. We recommend that you check in 1 hour before your event T-shirt: Included with registration and available at check-in No size exchanges will be possible on-site ​ Medals: Will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division Will not be mailed Not available for pick-up at Council on Aging office Stay for the ceremony or make arrangements for someone to pick up your medal ​ Questions about the Games? Contact Coby LaFayette 707-525-0143, ext. 117 clafayette@councilonaging.com Printable Pickleball Flier ​ a BIG thank you to our tournament hosts, without whom, this would not be possible: www.rohnertparkpickleball.com ​ ​

COA Staff Home > About Us > COA Staff MARRIANNE MCBRIDE President & CEO mmcbride@councilonaging.com 707-525-0143 x111 RACHEL JONES Director of Development rjones@councilonaging.com 707-525-0143 x146 JAMIE ESCOUBAS Director of Social & Fiduciary Services jescoubas@councilonaging.com 707-525-0143 x108 DENISE JOHNSON Director of Senior Nutrition & Health Services djohnson@councilonaging.com 707-525-0143 x119 SUE TASSELMYER Controller stasselmyer@councilonaging.com 707-525-0143 x 138 WILLIAM J. "BILL" GOVAN Director of Culinary Operations & Business Development wgovan@councilonaging.com 707-525-0143 x131 On-Site S taff ​ Aida Rodriguez, Accounting Clerk, 525-0143 x105, arodriguez@councilonaging.com Alegra Grace, Development Coordinator, 525-0143 x107, agrace@councilonaging.com Brooke Rosell, Intergenerational Coordinator, 525-0143 x129, brosell@councilonaging.com Ceilia Ortiz, Packing & Distribution Assistant 2 Chris Rairdon, Clinical Supervisor, 525-0143 x106, crairdon@councilonaging.com Coby LaFayette, Wine Count ry Games Coordinator, 5 25-0143 x117, clafayette@councilonaging.com Colleen Nolan, S enior Professional Li censed Fiduciary, 525-0143 x118, cnolan@councilonaging.com Damean "Shay" Watkins, Cook Deborah Hart-Tinsley, Administrative Assistant, dhart@councilonaging.com Deborah Khalilifar, Nutrition Office Ma nager, 525-0143 x135, dkhalilifar@councilonaging.com Diane Faulkner, Meals on Wheels Coordinator, 525-0143 x115, dfaulkner@councilonaging.com Elizabeth Young s, Fiduciary Records Management, 525- 0143, x122, eyoungs@councilonaging.com Gloria Ramirez, PEARLS Case Navigator, 525-0143 x139, gramirez@councilonaging.com Irasema Moran, Pa cking & Distribution Coordinator J. Jesus Martinez Correa, Packing & Distribution Assistant Jennifer Kulpa, Administrative & Operations Specialist, 525-0143 x100, jkulpa@councilonaging.com Jocelyn Duran, Grant Data Specialist , 525-0143 x133, jduran@councilonaging.com Jose Ibarra-Perez, Cook Judy Storck, Accounting Specialist, 525-0143 x113, jstorck@councilonaging.com Juliana B alistreri, PEARLS Coach, 525-0143 x124, jbalistreri@councilonaging.com Kaity Kellogg, Fiduciary Client Case Manager, 525-0143 x110, kkellogg@councilonaging.com Kitty Lum, Client Intake Sp ecialist, 525-0143 x116, klum@councilonaging.com Leigh Galten, Volunteer & WCG Manager , 525-0143 x121, lgalten@councilonaging.com Lourdes Cuevas Garcia, Packing & Distribution Assistant Luis "Gallo" Gustavo Reyes Oropeza, Packing & Distribution Supervisor, 525-0143 x142, greyes@councilonaging.com Louis Pasvantis - Packing & Distribution Assistant Maria Gonzales, Nutrition Operations Supervisor, 525-0143 x126, mgonzales@councilonaging.com Noel Mechau, Administrative Assistant - Kitchen, 525-0143 x106, nmechau@councilonaging.com Nyah Reynolds, PEARLS Coach, 525-0 143 x130, nreynolds@councilonaging.com Paula Perez Hipolito, Packing & Distribution Assistant Rhonda Boczon, Head Chef, 525-0143 x132, rboczon@councilonaging.com Rosa Pineda, Dishwasher Rosa Ramos-Sanchez, Packing & Distribution Assistant, rsanchez@councilonaging.com Salina Gonzalez, Day Respite Program Manager, 525-0143 x103, sgonzalez@councilonaging.com Sebby Spillane, Congregate Site Coordinator, 525-0143 x104, lspillane@councilonaging.com Susan Lyon, Congregate Site Coordinator, slyon@councilonaging.com ​ Off-Site Staff ​ Alison Urmson, Site Coordinator-Adult Day Respite Program, aurmson@councilonaging.com Anna Woods, Site Assistant-Adult Day Respite Program, awoods@councilonaging.com Charles "Scottie" Scott-Potter, MOW Cargo Driver David Stohlmann, MOW Driver Debbie VanDyke, Congregate Site Coordinator , dvandyke@councilonaging.com Debra Baldaramos, Relief Site Assistant-Adult Day Respite Program, dbaldaramos@councilonaging.com Edward "Ted" Jones, Site Assistant-Adult D ay Respite Program, ejones@councilonaging.com Henry Amaya, MOW Driver Hugh Harris, MOW Cargo Driver Jeanie O’Neill, Elder Advocate/Family Justice Center, 565-8265, jeanie .oneill@sonoma-county.org Justine Alves, Site Assist ant-Alzheimer's Day Respite Program, jalves@councilonaging.com Kristina Turner, HR Manager, 525-0143 x148, kturner@councilonaging.com Lori Saldal, MOW Driver Martha Kaut z, Relief Site Assistant-Adult D ay Respite Program , mkautz@councilonaging.com Oscar Soto B azan, MOW Driver-Marin, osotobazan@councilonaging.com Pat Coleman, Site Coordinator-Adult Day Respite Program, pcoleman@councilonaging.com Robert Celani, MOW Driver Roberto Carrillo, MOW Driver Roxanne Lemereis, Relief Site Assistant-Adult D ay Respite Program , rlemereis@councilonaging.com Shannon Holck, Cargo Driver, sho lck@councilonaging.com Sharon Bourassa, Site Coordinator-Adult Day Respite Program, sbourassa@councilonaging.com Shirryl Bayless, Site Coordinator-Adult Day Respite Program, sbayless@councilonaging.com S tefanie Thueson, Site Coordinator-Alzheimer's Day Respite Program, 525-0143 x123, sthueson@councilonaging.com Susan Twitchell, Site Assistant-Alzheimer's Day Respite Program, stwitchell@councilonaging.com

Home > PEARLS Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Li ves for Seniors (PEARLS) ​ PEARLS is a short-term, practical, client-driven program designed to reduce depression though problem-solving skills and increasing physical, social and pleasurable activities. ​ For information about the program or referrals, please contact: ​ Gloria Ramirez, PEARLS Case Navigat or, (707) 525-0143 x 139 or gramirez@councilonaging.com ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Nyah Reynolds, PEARLS Coach & Community Outreach , (707) 525-0143 x130 or nreynolds@councilonaging.com ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Older adults are at an increased risk for experiencing depression. However, depression is not a normal part of aging. The symptoms of depression can be a common human experience and depression is a treatable condition. Depression is not just feeling “blue” or the emotions felt when grieving losses we experience throughout life. Depression can include feelings of sadness, loss of interest in once enjoyable activities, as well as other symptoms (see below). ​ PEARLS is an evidenced-based program designed to reduc e depression in older adults. Over the course of 6-8 sessions, within 5-6 months, a PEARLS coach introduces, facilitates, and reinforces PEARLS problem solving tools to assist with managing unpleasant feelings and support planning physical, social, and pleasant activities to improve the quality of life. PEARLS short-term, practical structure supports participants in feeling more in control of challenges with PEARLS problem solving tools that can be used outside of PEARLS sessions. PEARLS, which was devolved by the University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center, is designed to be participant driven with participants identifying current challenges they would like to address and empowers participants to direct their own choices and goals. PEARLS is no-cost for eligible participants. PEARLS sessions can be held in-home, in the COA office, out in the community, virtually, or by phone. Coaches have completed a training through the University of Washington. PEARLS coaches are not mental health professionals and are overseen by a Clinical Supervisor. Who is Eligible? Adults 60 and up Sonoma County residents Adults experiencing depression symptoms Minor depression, major depression, or persistent depression disorder Clinical diagnosis not required See list of depression symptoms below Eligibility screening with PEARLS coach to assess depression symptoms and appropriateness for the program is required. ​ What are the Symptoms and Signs of Depression? Little interest or pleasure in doing things. Feeling down, sad, or hopeless. Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much. Feeling tired or having little energy. Poor appetite or overeating. Feeling bad about oneself, or that one is a failure or have let oneself or one’s family down. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed. Or the opposite, being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual. Thoughts that one would be better off dead, of harming oneself in some way or suicide attempts. To view our flyer, please click here. If you are a community partner, please see our brief program overview here. ​