b"C o m m u n i t y m e m b e r s a g e s 6 0 + h a v e f u n a n dr e c e i v e c a r e o n t h e S o u t h C o a s tAging in place can be an especially challenging prospect on the South Coast. Barriers to transportation, combined withisolation, pose many potential hazards to health, safety and emotional well-being. Then theres the rising cost of groceriesand other essentials, which can easily outstrip a monthly fixed income budget. Puente made significant changes to its 60+ Connection and Well-Being Program this year. The Community Health team nowincludes two Senior Services Associates who act as case workers for 25 locals. Were targeting really isolated older adults,people who just have no one they can call during an emergency, says Ophelie Vico, Community Health Director. Anysupport is welcome, especially when the average household aging adult household we serve lives on a fixed income with theaverage take home is around $1,400 a month and about 95% goes to rent, groceries and gas. Some of the participants enrolled in the program receive a $100 Safeway gift card every week. And if they don't havetransportation to get their own groceries, the Community Health Promoters buys and delivers them. And thats just one smallcomponent of the programs reach, which is advised by a standing Older Adult Advisory Committee composed of bilingual60+ participants in a field trip to the California community members.Academy of Sciences in June, 2023.Participantes 60+ en una excursin a la Academia One-on-one services include home visits and regular check-ins by Puente. Staff seek to address every area of need inde Ciencias de California en junio, 2023. participants lives, from helping them budget to keeping the home free of tripping hazards. 82-year-old Conley Law has lived in La Honda for more than 60 years and has been part of the program for 3 years. The2 3 h o m e v i s i t s w e r e Safeway cards are very, very helpful, he says. The Puente staff also partnered with Aging and Adult services of San MateoCounty to get a handicap door opener installed in his bathroom. They really care, Puente. Theyre very concerned aboutp r o v i d e d t o t h e 6 0 + you, he adds.c o m m u n i t y m e m b e r sLaw has gone on some of the monthly field trips that Puente organizes for all community members over 60. He loved ae n r o l l e d i n o u r p r o g r a m . recent trip to San Francisco. We went to the California Academy of Sciences, and man, that was great. Just to see the animals that used to be here wasvery interesting, he says. We had a nice lunch, too. Another recent memorable field trip saw the over-60 group excitedly explore the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. They played minigolf, rode the gondola, took selfies and enjoyed a beach walk. In short, they turned into kids again. Seeing everyone have fun and just be connected to one another has just been very heartwarming, says Vico.18"