Throughout the County there exist tremendous opportunities available to seniors, some free and some at reduced prices.  In addition to occasionally providing articles in the Network, RESDC will routinely update this page with organizations providing services to seniors, including but not limited to classes, travel, and meals.  These opportunities will not be screened by RESDC but there is a link and phone number provided to allow you to access information on the organization.

 
Veterans & Surviving Spouses Aid & Attendance Benefits

If you are a United States military veteran or surviving spouse of a veteran, you may qualify for the Aid & Attendance Program (A&A) and receive monthly benefits to help cover the costs of assisted living care. The A&A Pension provides benefits for veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing and undressing or taking care of the needs of nature. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an assisting living facility also qualifies.

Many elderly veterans and surviving spouses whose incomes are above the congressionally mandated legal limit for a VA pension may still be eligible for the special monthly Aid and Attendance benefit if they have large medical expenses, including nursing home expenses, for which they do not receive reimbursement.

To qualify for A&A your physician needs establish that you require daily assistance by others to dress, undress, bathing, cooking, eating, taking on or off of prosthetics, leave home etc. You DO NOT have to require assistance with all of these. There simply needs to be adequate medical evidence that you cannot function completely on your own.  The A&A Pension can provide up to $1,632 per month to a veteran, $1,055 per month to a surviving spouse, or $1,949 per month to a couple*.

The Aid and Attendance income threshold for a veteran without dependents is now $18,234 annually.  The threshold increases to $21,615 if a veteran has one dependent, and by $1,866 for each additional dependent.  The annual Aid and Attendance threshold for a surviving spouse alone is $11,715.  This threshold increases to $13,976 if there is one dependent child, and by $1,866 for each additional child.
  
Additional information and assistance in applying for the Aid and Attendance benefit may be obtained by calling 1-800-827-1000.  Applications may be submitted on-line at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp.  

North County Inland

Oasis – Escondido – classes, day trips, volunteer opportunities, and travel excursions

Joslyn Senior Center – Escondido - classes, day trips, volunteer opportunities, meals, and travel excursions – http://www.ci.escondido.ca.us/facilities/joslyn  - 760-839-4688

South County

Norman Park Center-Chula Vista- classes, exercise programs, social activities, dance, bridge, art and crafts, Seniornet Computer Classes and a number of senior safetynet programs – Chula Vista Senior Services

East County

Wells Senior Center-El Cajon-sports and exercise programs, cards, social activities, crafts and travel opportunities- http://www.ci.el-cajon.ca.us/dept/rec 619-441-1680

Central

Oasis – San Diego – classes, day trips, volunteer opportunities, and travel excursions

San Diego Community College District, Continuing Education Program – San Diego - free computer classes  -  http://www.iteachyou.com/class.htm 

DayTripper Tours  - San Diego – day tours, overnight tours –  http://www.daytripper.com  - 619-299-5777; 800-679-8747