Enhance Safety and Security, and Plan for the Future

Safety and Security: Reduce medical, financial and legal risks to increase your safety and security.

The Elder Abuse Prevention program at the Institute on Aging and Open Door Legal developed this FAQ to spread awareness about red flags and common COVID-19 scams and let people know where they can turn for help for services and legal aid in San Francisco.

• How to Protect Yourself from COVID-19 by the CDC
• Avoiding COVID-19 scams by Health in Aging
• Crisis Support Services by San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging
• State of California hotline for COVID-19 assistance for people over 65: (833) 544-2374
• Department of Disability and Aging offer coordinated services for older adults including caregiving, food, housing, etc. Phone: 415-355-6700
• The State of California Employment Development Department has frequently asked questions and resources about unemployment
• Disability Insurance may be available for those unable to work due to illness or other disability.
• Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
• Paid Family Leave for Caregivers information found here.
• Health in Aging Home Safety Tips for Older Adults
• San Francisco Fire Department Senior Home Safety Program: San Francisco Office: 415-558-3317. Free home safety assessment.
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Elder Abuse
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Older Adult Falls
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI)

Adaptive Driving Services
Apex Driving Program
415-336-8916: cell of Derrick, the owner.

The Safe Driver
https://www.thesafedriver.com/
650-771-2797
Owner is Marc Samuels. The Safe Driver is based in San Jose, but service San Francisco as well. 


Center for Independent Living
510-841-4776
http://www.cilberkeley.org
Provides services, support and advocacy to enhance the rights and abilities of people with disabilities to actively participate in their communities and to live self-determined lives.
Assistance with and for: assistive technology, blind/low vision, deaf and hard of hearing, disability and senior support, disability blogs, emergency preparedness, housing, radio, therapy and more.

CHIPPS-City and County of San Francisco Department of Public Health
415-581-2415
https://www.sfdph.org/dph/comupg/oprograms/CHEP/Injury/CHIPPS.asp
Home safety assessment and education. All services are free. Eligibility requirements: Attend a home safety presentation. Sign up for home assessment.
Live in San Francisco. Renter or homeowner. 65+ years old. 

Home Safety Services
888-388-3811
http://www.homesafety.net/
Committed to making home safer and more accessible thereby reducing the risk of falling and maximizing independence. Certified. and private pay only. 

Medical Alert Systems

Life Alert
800-920-3410
http://www.lifealert.com/medical.aspx

Life Station
833-552-1800
http://www.lifestation.com/?SSAID-161088

Medical Guardian
800-668-9200
http://www.medicalguardian.com/about-us#dcLhlwfCxWYbV1u5.97

One Call Alert
800-916-0138
http://www.OneCallAlert.com

Philips Lifeline
855-681-5351
http://www.lifeline.philips.com/safety-solutions

Response Link
866-802-3676
http://www.responselink.com/

Vital Link
800-752-5522
http://www.vital-linkinc.com/

Safe At Home
415-905-1611
Pier 28, The Embarcadero
https://rebuildingtogethersf.org/apply/
Provides low income elderly and disabled San Franciscan’s free light home repair and modification services designed to allow them to live more safely and more independently. Services provided include installing/replacing smoke detectors, and installing grab bars and other bathroom safety equipment, such as raised toilet seats and shower chairs. Once an application is received, it can take up to 1-3 months to receive services because most of our work is done by volunteers.

Advance care planning is making decisions about the healthcare you would want to receive if you’re facing a medical crisis. These are your decisions to make based on your personal values, preferences, and discussions with your loved ones.

Chinese American Coalition for Compassionate Care
866-661-5687
https://caccc-usa.org/en/activities/advancecare.html
Provides Advance Care Planning information sessions and workshops for various community groups.

Chinese Community Health Care Association
https://www.cchca.com/advance-health-care-directives.html
Get a Advance Health Care Directive form in English and Chinese to fill out and submit to your doctor. 

National Institute on Aging
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving/advance-care-planning

Prepare for Your Care
https://prepareforyourcare.org/welcome

The Conversation Project
https://theconversationproject.org/
A public engagement initiative with a goal that is both simply and transformative: to help everyone talk about their wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected. 

• Three Things You Can Do Now by The Conversation Project
• Proactive Planning for Covid-19 by Respecting Choices
• Help With Breathing, What Are the Options? by Respecting Choices
• Making a Medical Plan During Covid-19 by Prepare for Your Care. For Covid and everything else that matters most: food, medications, medical wishes/medical decision maker, pets, money/bills, what to bring to hospital, whom to contact.
• National Institute on Aging Advance Care Planning: Guidance for patients to complete advance care planning, decision-making, and health-related planning.
• California Advance Healthcare Directive: An easy-to-read, easy-to-understand form for people with limited reading skills and skilled readers alike.