The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) continues to seek letters of support and encouragement as part of the Letters of Support Campaign, which was launched in September in partnership with Meals on Wheels America. This campaign is designed to provide older adults and people with disabilities living in Ventura County with letters or cards and a message of encouragement and support.
More than 30,000 older adults in Ventura County are living alone, and the isolation, loneliness, and depression many of them are experiencing through the COVID-19 crisis has become as much of a threat to their overall health as the virus itself. The VCAAA recognizes that this is a critical time to extend not only our services to these populations, but also our care and support.
Since September, the VCAAA has received more than 9,000 letters from the community, including holiday greetings. The response has been inspiring, and the VCAAA asks that the community continue to come together to send letters to the VCAAA. Letters may be mailed to 646 County Square Drive, Suite 100, Ventura, Ca. 93003. Please notate Letters of Support Campaign on the envelope. All letters will be reviewed and then delivered with food boxes from the VCAAA’s COVID-19 pantry.
The VCAAA continues to encourage family members and neighbors to safely connect with loved ones who may benefit from similar letters of encouragement, and from support with grocery shopping or other errands. It is extremely important to keep open lines of communication to help minimize the isolation so many Ventura County residents are experiencing.
For more information, visit www.vcaaa.org or call (805) 477-7300.
The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, an agency of the County of Ventura, is the principal agency in Ventura County charged with the responsibility to promote the development and implementation of a comprehensive coordinated system of care that enables older individuals, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities to live in a community-based setting and to advocate for the needs of those 60 years of age and older in the county, providing leadership and promoting citizen involvement in the planning process as well as in the delivery of services.
The VCAAA ElderHelp Transportation program, is able to provide transportation tickets to seniors (60+) and people with disabilities free of cost. The program provides Dial-A-Ride Tickets (i.e. paratransit) and/or Fixed Route Bus Tickets for non-emergency medical appointments, shopping, visiting family, etc. Limited, free transportation to medical appointments for low income and frail seniors, and/or disabled adults unable to use the bus (for example clients requiring gurney transportation) are also available. Additionally, the VCAAA provides Medi-Rides to older adults residing in assisted living facilities.
The objective of providing transit options is to help the populations we serve remain independent in their communities and sustain their mobility through changing circumstances. Using public transit or paratransit is a resourceful and environmentally conscious way to get around your city and throughout Ventura County.
COVID-19 Service Updates:
VCTC bus ticket provisions have been suspended as transportation providers have temporarily eliminated fares.
The VCAAA is currently offering transportation options to COVID-19 testing and vaccine appointments. These rides are available to those who are eligible for standard Medi-Rides.
For more information, or to request tickets, call the VCAAA at 805-477-7300
