Two local organizations — Aging @Home and ElderHelp of San Diego — have joined to provide Pacific Beach seniors more support services designed to help seniors comfortably remain in their homes as they age. Locally, seniors and their families may attend a presentation Oct. 19 at Open Door Bookstore, at which time representatives of Aging@Home and ElderHelp of San Diego will answer questions from the public. The informative meeting will start at 2 p.m. and free refreshments will be provided. Aging@Home is a grassroots, nonprofit organization committed to making neighborhoods comfortable places to age. Aging@Home provides transportation, home repair, companionship, security and other services to seniors at reduced rates. Its goal is to assist members so they can continue living at home as long as possible. More than 100 communities across the country have successfully implemented similar programs and brought Aging@Home services into their neighborhoods, according to the organization. ElderHelp also provides seniors with services from the comfort of their own homes, and membership fees are based on a sliding scale. ElderHelp was started as a nonprofit organization in Cambridge, Mass. 35 years ago and has since expanded its services to seniors nationwide. “ElderHelp has delivered services in Pacific Beach for a long time,” said Emily Merritt, member services director at ElderHelp. “The presentation is saying to seniors, ‘Here is what services we have,’ and asks them what additional services they need.” The 2008 U.S. Census estimates 8,000 seniors reside in Pacific Beach. Dr. Masa Goetz has been trying since last Christmas to bring ElderHelp services to Pacific Beach. There has been community interest but it has been hard to get the project off the ground, she said. The program has been endorsed by Dr. Richard Novak, a general internist located in Pacific Beach. All seniors are encouraged to come to the free presentation to learn more about Eldercare and Aging@Home services. Goetz also noted it will be a great opportunity to meet neighbors who are in a similar place in life, and trying to plan for their future. Both organizations rely heavily on the help of volunteers and anyone interested in volunteering opportunities is welcome to attend. “We never know what is around the corner,” Goetz said. “It’s good to have this information at hand. You don’t have days to research this information when something happens.” Open Door Books is located at 4763 Cass St. in Pacific Beach. For more information, visit elderhelpofsandiego.org or contact Goetz at (858) 270-7922 or e-mail her at [email protected].