Making a Difference
Caring for our senior citizens is a matter of both community and individual concern. Whatever the needs of the elderly—medical attention, food, warmth, or companionship we believe that all seniors should be able to remain in their own home, living a life with the quality and dignity they deserve. We do not charge for our services, and we welcome donations so we can continue to provide the best service possible.

With support of our community we provide the following:

Care Management Area Coordinatorsworkwith seniors and their families to develop care plans for those at risk, to assure they havefood, medication, a safe home, and emotional support. We provide case management services for approximately 370 seniors each year, including home assessments, careplans, assistance with contracts and ongoing care monitoring. We connect those in need to food programs, financial assistance, health insurance options, housing programs, home health agencies and many other services, all provided free of charge.

Home Care Referrals Area Coordinators screen and refer qualified caregivers to provide seniors and people with disabilities assistance for short intervals or for continuous care. We match clients with live-in and part-time caregivers, nurses’ aides, housekeepers, cooks, drivers, gardeners, companions, repairmen, and others. We counsel clients on how to select a caregiver,develop appropriate employment agreements, and maintain regular follow-up to ensure quality care.

Family Respite Care Family members provide the major proportion of care to those in need, often taking its toll both physically and emotionally on the caregiver. With a little professional support and occasional paid respite care, they can then be more effective caregivers. Welcome to the Family Caregiver Support Program (FCS)), courtesy of funds provided to the Marin County Division of Aging from the Older American’s Act. These funds offer short term support to family caregivers who need assistance with daily care-giving.

Friendly Visiting Dedicated, caring volunteers bring the world to seniors and the seniors to the world by visiting, calling, sharing a hobby, preparing meals, helping with correspondence, gardening, providing transportation to medical appointments or senior centers, and much more as a good friend would do. Our staff provides volunteer training and matches friendly visitors with seniors who would benefit from a friendly companion visiting on a regular basis.

Transportation Assistance – Living in rural and isolated West Marin, seniors have identified transportation as their biggest challenge. Our staff helps seniors and people with disabilities find rides, including shuttle service to the Stage Coach, and volunteer and paid drivers for medical appointments, shopping, errands, and other activities, both locally and “over-the-hill”.

Meals from Friends – We engage volunteers and community groups in the preparation and delivery of hot meals to those who are housebound or at risk. This program is provided for residents in San Gernonimo Valley and Point Reyes Station/Inverness. We also provide frozen homemade soups and other meals.

Equipment Loan Closet – We lend a broad range of medical and homecare equipment, including hospital beds, walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs and commodes for use by clients. All of this equipment is loaned free of charge to those who need assistance.

Community Education and Wellness – We sponsor workshops, exercise classes, support groups, senior activity programs, and other activities for seniors, caregivers and their families to promote healthy lifestyles.

Employment Services – We provide employment opportunities for people interested in securing live-in and part-time home care jobs in West Marin and the County. Pam Osborn, R.N, and Program Director at WMSS, teaches a course on Personal Home Care, a ten week course that certifies participants to become home care workers.

Home Saftey Repairs – Throughout the year, we assist our clients in finding people who can provide small home repairs. Major home repairs are done by volunteers once a year in collaboration with Rebuilding Together.