Covia Communities

Programs: Episcopal senior communities (esc) is a pioneering leader in senior care retirement living since 1965. Esc has built, opened, and operates five continuing care communities on a nonprofit and non-denominational basis which are licensed by the state of california. The communities offer its residents security and peace of mind which includes: (1) the promise of care for the remainder of the resident's life; (2) independent living with a wide range of resident services; (3) all levels of care on site, including skilled nursing care and physician's visits; and the opportunity to continue living in the community even if the resident has exhausted their financial resources through no fault of their own.

esc sponsors and manages community services programs which serve low-income seniors in northern california. Senior resources was the first of esc's community outreach services, having assisted at-risk seniors and connected them to support services for over forty years. The seven senior resources directors identify the needs of seniors in their county, design solutions to meet those needs and answer seniors questions on topics such as housing, transportation, and support services. In response to need, the san francisco director of senior resources developed elderwise (working in service to elders), a friendly-visitor program that assigns volunteers to visit seniors based on interests, needs, and location. In salinas, the senior resources director developed a program to assist homeless seniors purchase their medications which are prescribed through local clinics. All senior resources directors have safety-net funds to distribute to seniors on a one-time, emergency basis to assist with food, rent, utilities, or unexpected medical costs. Esc also conducts senior produce markets in nineteen locations to meet the growing need for healthy, accessible, affordable food for seniors. They provide fresh fruit and vegetables at wholesale prices. Esc partners with other nonprofit organizations to locate the markets at senior centers, churches and affordable housing communities. The markets are primarily run by volunteers and serve as a welcoming community where seniors can also receive information on other important services. The program was awarded the aging services of california community service award in 2003. Finally, esc's senior center without walls (scww) is a telephone activity program designed to alleviate isolation and depression among seniors who are unable to participate in activities outside their home, either due to illness, transportation issues, or caring for a spouse. Senior participants choose from over sixty course offerings each week which are facilitated by volunteers. Scww has received the 2010 jefferson award for public service, the 2009 citation of honor from the international association of homes and services for the aging and the 2008 mindalert award from the american society on aging and metlife foundation.

esc provides financial assistance to over 40 residents in its continuing care retirement communities who have exhausted their funds and can no longer afford to pay their monthly service fees. These residents receive partial or full credits of their monthly fees depending on their financial need. In some instances, they also receive a stipend so that they can pay for their medications or health care expenses which are not otherwise covered by insurance.