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Home > Aging > Links & Resources Aging & Disability Resource HUB - Sonoma County Providing equitable access to information, assistance, and support needed to live as independently as possible at home. American Association of Retired Persons Senior discounts on many items. California Area Agencies on Aging Federal government resources for seniors A site geared to government resources and information for seniors. Greater Bay Area Transit Information Transit information around the Greater Bay Area. Meals on Wheels Association of America Information about the national Meals on Wheels organization and links to its programs around the country. Nat’l Assoc. of Geriatric Case Managers Information, guidelines, and care management resources for geriatric professionals. National Council on Aging Nationwide association for senior organizations, facilities and professionals. Advocates on behalf of seniors in public policy matters and business practices. Partnership for Prescription Assistance The Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need for free or nearly free. Press Democrat The latest news from our local newspaper. Redwood Caregiver Resource Center Support for caregivers of seniors in Sonoma County Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce Information about the Santa Rosa business community Santa Rosa City Bus Information Bus schedules, route maps, fares, and other information are available. Call 707-543-3325 for help using the bus with the “Bus Buddy Program.” Santa Rosa Junior College Classes for Seniors! SRJC Lifelong Learning Program, Fitness for Older Adults and other FREE Classes for Seniors, Online and In Person. Click HERE for the Fall 2025 course information flier. Well Connected Free group activities by telephone for seniors throughout the Bay Area including Sonoma County. Activities include book clubs, support groups, games, current events and many more. Social Security Online The official web site of the Social Security Administration. Sonoma County Human Services County agency providing services related to poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, and abuse of children and the elderly. Sonoma County Public Health Information and resources regarding our public health and safety. Sonoma County Tourism Bureau Find all your local needs through this site. Sonoma County Transit bus service Schedules, route maps, and fare information for bus service throughout Sonoma County. Sonoma County Senior Resource Guide A comprehensive guide to available resources for Sonoma County seniors and their families. Sonoma County Senior Support Groups A list of organizations that provide resources & programs that support healthy aging. Sonoma County Senior Centers US Administration on Aging Information and resources for seniors from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Veterans Resources Information and resources for veterans' mental health from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs. Aging.com Creating awareness of topics that are related to the millions of older Americans and those who help care for them. Resources & Links Additions At this time, the Council on Aging is not currently posting any additional resources or links from for-profit websites, companies or organizations. If you are interested in advertising/promotions with Council on Aging, please contact Rachel Jones, in Development, 707-525-0143 x146 or rjones@councilonaging.com .

Home > Wine Country Games > Faqs When does registration open? Registration 2025 is closed. Who is eligible to participate in the Games? All participants must be 50 years old on or before December 31st, 2025 to be eligible to play in our Games. There is no upper age limit for our athletes. How much does it cost to register for the Games? There is a $60 individual registration fee for each athlete. In addition to the registration fee, athletes will pay a sport fee that ranges between $7.50-$20 for each sporting event they participate in. There are no team fees, but captains/capos must register their teams in our system. What do the fees pay for? Registration and sporting event fees help defray the costs of organizing the Games, renting venues, providing portable restrooms and sanitation services, paying for liability insurance, an on-site EMT, officials, medals, snacks and water, sports equipment, t-shirts, permits and sanctioning, and staff salaries. What happens after I register online? Once you’ve completed your online registration, a confirmation email is sent to you. If you haven’t received one within a few minutes of registration please check your junk and/or spam folders. Your confirmation notice is your proof of registration and payment for a given tournament/meet. What if I want to participate in more than one sport on the same day? We do not recommend this. Venues are far apart and parking is limited at many of our sites. I’m playing in a doubles competition. How does my partner register? Each partner in a doubles team must register as an individual and write in the full name of his/her partner in the space provided. If you do not yet have a partner, leave this space blank. You can go back later and fill it in. As a rule, we do not find partners for our pickleball and table tennis players. However, our sports commissioners for these two tournaments will sometimes help match up unpartnered players. How do I register a team? Registration is closed. Once registered, the team will be assigned an ID#. The team captain/capo will receive that number from our registration system by email. He/she can forward that number on to team members for use during their individual registration. I want to play a team sport, but don’t have a team, what can I do? Registration is closed. She will reach out to the sports commissioner of the event you are interested in participating in to see if he/she can assist you. How do I contact a sports commissioner? The best way to get to a sports commissioner is through the Games Coordinator, Coby LaFayette. She can be reached at 707-525-0143, ext. 117 or clafayette@councilonaging.com How are age groups determined? In general, groups or divisions follow the standard set by the National Senior Games Association (NSGA). NSGA’s divisions are grouped in 5-year increments: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, etc. However, sports commissioners may use their discretion to combine age groups as needed to promote competition. How are medals awarded? Medals are awarded to the top three individual finishers in those divisions with registered athletes. Table tennis and pickleball doubles teams receive medals for the top three finishers in those divisions with registered teams. Women’s soccer medals are awarded to the top three teams finishing in divisions with registered teams. Lawn bowling and bocce do not award medals by age but by overall team placement: 1st,2nd, 3rd. Medalists need to be on-site or arrange for someone to pick their medal/s up for them at the tournament/meet. We do not mail medals, nor do we allow them to be picked up at our office. Where do I go to check in for my event? Athletes check-in on-site at the location of their sporting event. Event location information is listed on your confirmation email. This information is also listed online: https://www.councilonaging.com/choose-a-sport Locate the icon for the sport you are participating in and click on that icon. All of the most current information you need about check-in (and the tournament/meet) will be on the sport page. Plan to arrive at least one hour prior to your first competition. This gives you time to find parking, check in, receive your t-shirt, and get oriented to the event site. Is water or food provided? Yes. Water, fruit, and healthy snacks are available at all sporting events for athletes, officiants, and volunteers. Please bring a refillable water bottle. We do not provide single-use water bottles at any venue. Do I need to bring equipment with me? Athletes should plan on bringing their own equipment and wearing appropriate competition apparel. Large teams, like women’s soccer, should plan to wear a team identifier, usually a numbered jersey of like-color and style. For smaller teams like bocce and lawn bowling, like-colored t-shirts are fine. Equipment exception: game balls are provided for both our table tennis and pickleball tournaments. Where are the Games held? Games are held throughout the city of Santa Rosa and in Rohnert Park. Site locations for each competition can be found on our Master Schedule at: https://www.councilonaging.com/master-schedule You can also find this information at: https://www.councilonaging.com/choose-a-sport How can I find out who I am competing with? We do not share individual sport competition details. However, after April 1st, team members can monitor team sign-ups here: https://www.councilonaging.com/registered-teams When does registration close? Registration for all sports except pickleball will close on Friday, May 23rd at 11:59 p.m. Registration for pickleball closes one week later, on Friday, May 30th at 11:59 p.m. What is the refund policy? Refunds must be requested at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the sporting event for which the athlete is registered. Please contact the Games Coordinator to request a refund: Coby LaFayette at 707-525-0143, ext. 117 or clafayette@councilonaging.com Can my family and friends come watch me compete? Yes. Family and friends are encouraged to spectate. There is no cost for this. That being said, both our table tennis and pickleball venues have limited space for spectating and parking is extremely limited. For your own comfort, consider bringing a camp chair, sun protection, snacks and water to whatever sport you plan on watching. Are the Sonoma Wine Country Games a qualifying meet? No. Our Games are not qualifiers for any of the sports offered. Where can I get answers to any other questions I have about the Games? Contact the Games Coordinator, Coby LaFayette at 707-525-0143, ext. 117 or clafayette@councilonaging.com About “Fair Play.” We convene our Games around the spirit of “friendly competition.” We are very protective of that spirit for the sake of our athletes and because we want everyone competing to have a good time. Therefore, any behavior on the part of a competitor that is deemed inappropriate may result in immediate disqualification and/or removal of that athlete from competition. A call to disqualify or remove an athlete from play will be made by the presiding sports commissioner. Fees paid by that athlete will not be refunded. Non-athletes misbehaving or disrupting play will be asked to leave by either the sports commissioner or a representative of the Council on Aging. The truly unruly will be put on a list. Really. We are serious about fair play and hope you will join us in keeping that spirit alive at our Games!

Home > About Us > Annual Report Council On Aging Annual Reports 2024 Annual Report For more information, contact Jamie Escoubas, President & CEO, (707) 525-0143 x108

Home > Events > Community Table Council on Aging's Community Dining program is driven to provide a “More than a Meal” experience. We strive to bring entertainment, educational presentations, and fun to seniors during our lunches. Recently in Sebastopol at Burbank Heights and Orchards, seniors were entertained by a talented group of youth from Nordquist- Taylor Ballroom Dance Studio. Students arranged a performance during their valued Spring Break vacation. They then had an intergenerational meal with our senior patrons. Nordquist-Taylor is a program that provides a safe and comfortable environment where teens learn American-style social ballroom dance. Their classes build the student’s confidence and blend in a balance of social behavior, manners, and dress. One older adult said, “I was a ballroom dancer as a young child, and seeing these dancers brought me back, what a joy." The dancers enjoyed the experience as well. Council on Aging provides a new program that integrates generations to bring a greater sense of purpose and community. The younger generation has the opportunity to better understand and learn from seniors. Seniors who are isolated and lonely have an opportunity to talk and feel more connected to the younger generations. If interested please contact us below: Nordquist Taylor Dance www.nordquisttaylordance.com Community Dining Lunch Service jduran@councilonaging.com or 707-525-0143 ext. 128 Intergenerational Lunch or Volunteering jkulpa@councilonaging.com or 707-525-0143 ext. 100 On Wednesday, April 5th COA hosted an Intergenerational Dinner event. Local youth from Vista Academy dined and connected with seniors over a freshly prepared dinner. The opportunity to share wisdom as well as learn from other generations was enjoyed by all. If you are interested in an Intergenerational event please contact Jennifer: jkulpa@councilonaging.com or 707-525-0143 x100.

The Surgeon General recently declared social isolation in seniors an epidemic. In response, we introduced the Tellegacy and Lunch Companion Programs to Sonoma County. The goal is to connect younger and older populations through conversation to combat the widespread issue of loneliness and isolation among seniors. It creates a space for older adults to reminisce and reflect on their lives by sharing their beliefs, history, and life lessons. If you are a senior looking for ways to stay active and connected then one of these programs is for you! Lunch Companion Program: A volunteer will visit a senior’s home, have lunch, and engage in conversation. The volunteer can choose their own visiting schedule - once a week or once every two weeks. This is an 8-session program, although volunteers and seniors often continue meeting on their own after the program ends. Tellegacy Program: The main goal of tellegacy is to assist seniors who feel isolated and alone in our community in living a happier, fulfilled life. A volunteer will visit the senior once a week for eight weeks, have lunch, and conduct stimulating conversation. One of the things participants appreciate most about the program is the ability to look back on their life from a different perspective. At the end of the 8 weeks, the volunteer writes a short book detailing the senior’s life legacy, which will be printed and gifted to the senior. Senior Participant Requirements: Age 60 or better A desire for company and conversation Must live alone and be homebound You do not need to be a Meals On Wheels client to participate Testimonials: While looking through her completed legacy book, Joan P. expressed her gratitude and reflected on her experience in the program, saying, "It makes me feel like your life is worthwhile, and it has been. Every minute of it. The good times as well as the b ad." Another client said, "The program would be great, especially for a senior who's alone or kept out from the general community; it could mean a lot to that senior, making him or her feel a lot better about themselves. You reminisce and go over things throughout your life that maybe you forgot." - Terry H. One of our volunteers expressed, "The experience has been a real gift to me." When asked why she would recommend this program to older adults, she said, "..it helps the older adult to possibly reframe difficult times in their lives by also seeing the good times and remembering those times." To learn more about how to sign up, as a senior or volunteer, please contact Leigh Galten, our Tellegacy Coordinator, 707-525-0143 ext. 121 or lgalten@councilonaging.com

Home > Wine Country Games > Choose a Sport > Table Tennis REGISTER Table Tennis Saturday, May 31st – Sunday, June 1st The Zones, 1011 Hahman Drive, Santa Rosa, CA Tournament Schedule Saturday, May 31st, Men’s Singles & Doubles Check-in: TBD Games begin: TBD Sunday, June 1st, Women’s Singles & Doubles, Mixed Doubles & Open Singles Check-in: TBD Games begin: TBD Age Requirements & Games Information Players must be 50 years of age by December 31, 2025 to compete. Singles players & doubles team age divisions: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, & 80+ Open division (men v. women, no age divisions, no medals) FREE All skill levels are welcome! Registration Information & Fees Online registration opens on March 1st, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. Use the button at the top of this page to access our registration system. Fees: $60 one-time registration fee for all athletes and a $7.50/sport event fee Deadline to register: May 23rd, at 11:59 p.m. T-shirts are included with registration and available at check-in. No size exchanges on-site. Medals Medals are awarded to the top three singles players in each division & the top three doubles teams in each division: 1st, 2nd & 3rd places. Please pick-up your medal/s on-site or make arrangements with someone to do that for you. Medals will not be mailed and are not available for pick-up at the Council on Aging office. Venue Information Parking is extremely limited around The Zones and in the adjacent neighborhood, so please carpool. Water and healthy snacks will be provided for athletes, Games volunteers and tournament officials. Restrooms are available on-site. Tournament Details & Rules The tournament format will be round robin Every playerwill play against all other players in his/her age division in matches of 5 games Winner in each match is the first player to win three games Scores for all matches in the division will be used to determine the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers Draws will be emailed to all athletes 2 or 3 days before the tournament Play follows US Table Tennis rules except as modified by the National Senior Games Association Orange 40+ balls, Nittaku 3-star Nextel, will be provided, one per player Players may not wear orange shirts while competing We reserve the right to change the tournament format for any age division based upon entry numbers, space restrictions or other circumstances Questions about the Games? Contact Coby LaFayette 707-525-0143, ext. 117 clafayette@councilonaging.com Printable Table Tennis Flier Who's Registered?

Home > Meals on Wheels The document below outlines additional meal and food resources available. Meals on Wheels works! Ask our clients, who receive daily meals from our Meals on Wheels. They depend on the meals delivered daily because they can’t prepare their own meals anymore and can’t get out to shop for food. In addition, the daily check-in by a driver is invaluable. “Thank you for helping me stay independent. It is difficult at my age of 89 years.” —Julie, client “My mother has gained weight and alertness. Your program is wonderful, and has improved all our lives.” —Mary, daughter of a client About our Program Since 1977, Council on Aging has operated the largest meal program for seniors in Sonoma County. The Council on Aging Sen ior Nutrition Services provides over 285,000 meals annually to seniors in need in the following five programs: Meals on Wheels, Congregate Dining, Senior Social Club/Adult Day Respite Program, Drive Up Pick Up, Intergenerational, and Weekend Meals. These meals reach our most vulnerable, food insecure senio rs. For many clients, it is their only meal of the day. Council on Aging is committed to reducing food insecurity in the elderly. The commitment costs over a million dollars annually. Only 38% of the program is supplemented by the federal government. We must rely on the support and generosity of the community to cover the remaining costs of the program. A nutritious diet is the cornerstone to maintaining health and quality of life. The meals provide one third of the recommended dietary requirements a senior needs in a day. We serve heart-healthy, low sodium, low-fat meals to ALL of our recipients. To see what is being served this month for Meals on Wheels, just click here! The Meals on Wheels program is so much more than just a meal. Our program helps seniors stay in their homes, maintaining their independence and happiness. A check by a Meals on Wheels driver allows monitoring for potential problems, falls and accidents. When a senior signs up for our meal service, they also receive access to other programs operated by Council on Aging including Social Services, Financial Services, Care & Case Management, Senior Peer Support, and Adult Day Social Programs. A registered dietitian may provide nutritional counseling for at-risk seniors. We offer vegetarian & heart healthy meals. All of these services help seniors stay healthy, reducing costly acute hospital stays. Got questions? Visit our F requently A sked Q uestions (FAQ's) page. Are you a pet owner? Click here to learn more about the Kibbles of Kindness Program.

Home > Wine Country Games > Sponsors Sponsor the Games! Contact Rachel Jones, Director of Development, for further info. 707-525-0143 X146 or email: rjones@councilonaging.com

Home > News > Sonoma Seniors Today Council on Aging’s Monthly Newspaper Sonoma Seniors Today is a monthly publication of 13,000 copies. We distribute it in over 175 locations throughout Sonoma County. To subscribe, please email: SST@councilonaging.com If you would like to know more about advertising with us, please contact: Laurie Wachter 707-525-0143 ext. 113 lwachter@councilonaging.com Sonoma Seniors Today (SST) Inside Issues Inside 2022 Issues - Sonoma Seniors Today Heading 4 SST Issue - PDF

Home > PEARLS PEARLS is a program to: •Help reduce symptoms of depression. •Work towards solving problems and overcoming challenges. •Set practical and realistic goals. •Add social, physical, and pleasurable activities to life. PEARLS Eligibility: •Sonoma County residents aged 50+ •Individuals experiencing depression symptoms* and/or isolation •Willingness to actively participate in the program *Participants do not need to be clinically diagnosed with depression to participate in PEARLS. Developed by the University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center, PEARLS is an evidence-based program to reduce depression and social isolation among older adults. By educating its participants about depression symptoms and equipping them with effective problem-solving skills, PEARLS aims to enhance the overall well-being of older adults. PEARLS is a no-cost, short-term coaching program comprising 6-8 sessions over 4-5 months. These personalized coaching sessions are flexible in location, accommodating settings such as the participant's home, community settings, the Council on Aging office, or even virtually, ensuring accessibility and convenience for all involved. Please note that while immensely beneficial, PEARLS should not be considered a substitute for mental health therapy or case management.* Instead, it focuses on practical strategies tailored to empower older adults in their journey towards addressing here-and-now challenges. *PEARLS coaches are not licensed mental health professionals or trained case managers. PEARLS Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives What participants are saying about PEARLS: “During the one-on-one sessions, I felt I was seen and heard.” “By identifying my concerns and addressing them one by one through actionable steps, I regained control over my life instead of feeling overwhelmed and apathetic.” “PEARLS provided me with a focus on problem-solving. I tend to have scattered solutions, but with PEARLS, I found direction and a starting point for addressing the problems.” “I enjoyed PEARLS to the point that I didn’t want it to end.” “I feel more connected with myself – my agency and will. I feel more determined, not depressed in the way I was.” Get Started with PEARLS Interested in more information? Please call us at (707) 525-0143 X 130 To view our flyer, please click HERE For referral information, please click HERE Eligibility screening with PEARLS coach to assess depression symptoms and appropriateness for the program required. PEARLS is currently offered in English and Spanish and may be adapted to meet accessibility needs.

Home > Wine Country Games > Choose a Sport There are a variety of sports to choose from! Click on an icon below to learn more. Bocce Lawn Bowling Pickleball Soccer Table Tennis Throwing Events