Duckie wrote, after a long absense:

Locally, there are a dozen or more agencies - public and private
non-profit - that provide housework, shopping, laundry, etc. for
seniors.  These are in addition to the for-profit companies.

Here is a sample of what is available in SoCal:

Senior Aides             Senior Home Care Connections
Senior Resource Group    Senior Living Companion Services
Seniors Helping Seniors  Senior Helpers

Senior Community Centers (city operated, I believe)

Elder Independence Services      Elderhelp

1985-1988 I was a volunteer at ELDERHELP - installing the
computers, writing batch files, installing and initiating
programs, teaching the staff how to operate and enter data,
teaching typing skills, how to print documents, etc., etc.

ELDERHELP operates a shopping, live-in companion (roommate),
housework, legal aide, and medical transportation services.
Fees, if any, are based on income.  The transportation and
shopping services of course require reimbursement for the
volunteer drivers' gas.  "Roommate" could be for rent or
in exchange for housework and/or transportation.

It is funded by the county, the city, and community chest.

I believe its new building was financed through the city.

California Welfare and Institutions Code (as of 05/02/2008):

"Each county welfare department shall establish and support a
system or protective services to elderly and dependent adults
who may be subjected to neglect, abuse, or exploitation, or
who are unable to protect their own interests.
This system shall be known as the county adult protective
services system."

"Each county shall establish and maintain a specialized entity
within the county welfare department which shall have lead
responsibility for the operation of the adult protective
services program."

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