The Hyper-Local Senior Resource Guide for East San Jose: Everything Families Need to Know

Kailey Wann 31 Aug 2026

Seniors Helping Seniors® East San Jose

Caregiver assisting client with computer

East San Jose Senior Resources Guide

If you’re caring for an aging loved one in East San Jose — or if you’re a senior yourself looking to stay connected and independent — you already know that finding the right support can feel overwhelming. Between county programs, nonprofit services, nutrition assistance, legal aid, and in-home care options, the landscape of senior resources in our community is rich but sometimes hard to navigate.

That’s why we put together this hyper-local guide. Whether you live in Evergreen, Alum Rock, Berryessa, Silver Creek, or anywhere else in East San Jose, this resource list is designed to help you and your family find the help you need — right here in your own backyard.

Why Local Resources Matter More Than Ever

The desire to age at home is nearly universal. According to AARP’s 2024 Home and Community Preferences Survey, 75% of adults aged 50 and older want to stay in their current homes as they age, and nearly as many want to remain in the communities where they live. [1] Yet many families don’t know where to turn when their loved ones need a little extra support.

The good news? East San Jose and Santa Clara County are home to a robust network of programs designed to help seniors remain independent, healthy, and connected. Here’s your guide to the most important ones.

1. Start Here: Sourcewise — Santa Clara County’s Area Agency on Aging

If there’s one organization every East San Jose family should know about, it’s Sourcewise. As the designated Area Agency on Aging for Santa Clara County, Sourcewise has been serving the community for decades. [2]

Sourcewise provides an array of direct support services for older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers throughout Santa Clara County. [3] Their programs include:

Information & Awareness: Trained Community Resource Specialists provide objective, unbiased referrals based on your unique situation. [4] You can reach them by phone at (408) 350-3200, Option 1, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. [5]
Care Management: Sourcewise Care Management programs support older adults who need additional resources and care. Their diverse care managers provide services to clients from many cultures and languages, and will work with you to develop an individualized plan of care that fits your social, physical, and economic needs. [6]
Meals on Wheels: Nutritious meals delivered to your door if you’re unable to shop or cook on your own. [7]
Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP): Free counseling to help seniors navigate Medicare, Medi-Cal, and supplemental insurance. [8]
Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP): Designed for Medi-Cal eligible adults over 60 who are at risk of nursing home placement, MSSP offers in-home care, social services, and case management to help you stay in your community. [9]
Senior Employment Services: Sourcewise assists qualified seniors who are 55 years of age or older with the opportunity and support needed to obtain employment. [10]

Sourcewise Main Office: 3100 De La Cruz Blvd #310, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Phone: (408) 350-3200

2. Santa Clara County Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS)

The Santa Clara County Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) is another cornerstone resource for East San Jose seniors and their families. DAAS is committed to helping older adults and adults with disabilities maximize self-sufficiency, safety, health, and independence so they can remain living in the community for as long as possible. [11]

Notably, Santa Clara County — including all of its cities — has been designated as Age-Friendly by the World Health Organization, making it the first county in the nation to achieve this recognition. [12]

DAAS services include:

Adult Protective Services: Helps stop the abuse of elder and dependent adults. You can reach APS at (408) 975-4900, with a 24-hour report line at (800) 414-2002. [13]
Senior Nutrition Program: Serves hot meals to older adults in many locations throughout the county. [14]
The Seniors’ Agenda: A partnership between the County of Santa Clara, its 15 cities, and over 100 community organizations. [15]

DAAS: P.O. Box 760, San Jose, CA 95106
Website: ssa.santaclaracounty.gov

3. Catholic Charities Eastside Neighborhood Center — Right in Your Neighborhood

For seniors living in East San Jose, the Catholic Charities Eastside Neighborhood Center (ENC) is a true community gem. Located at 2150 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95116, the ENC provides East San Jose with educational, recreational, wellness, nutritional, and social services. [16]

The majority of participants are Vietnamese, Chinese, Latino, and Filipino seniors — many of whom face economic, language, educational, and cultural barriers. [17] The center offers a wide range of programs including:

Chair therapy, fall prevention classes, wellness education, Tai Chi, social dance, and health screenings [18]
A Senior Nutrition Program that serves hot, nutritious meals to seniors age 60 and older five days a week in a social environment [19]
ESL and citizenship classes, computer training, and health education [20]
Program assistants and translators available in Mandarin and Vietnamese [21]

Eastside Neighborhood Center: (408) 251-0215
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

4. City of San José Programs for Older Adults 50+

The City of San José offers a variety of programs specifically designed for older adults. Throughout San José, classes are available in health and fitness, dance, yoga, arts and crafts, enrichment and education, music, theatre arts, and more. [22]

Better yet, memberships are free for older adults ages 50+. [23] You can register at your local community center or online at sjregistration.com.

The City also partners with TRIO Community Meals to provide nutritious meals to older adults 60 and older at 13 community centers throughout the city. [24]

Additionally, Senior Adult Legal Assistance (SALA) is a non-profit elder law office whose mission is to support older persons in their efforts to live safely, independently, and with dignity. [25] SALA can help with:

Housing issues, including landlord-tenant disputes and subsidized housing
Medicare HMO or supplemental insurance disputes
Advance Health Care Directives and Powers of Attorney
Simple wills and estate planning [26]

More information: sanjoseca.gov — Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services — Active Adults 50+

5. 2-1-1: Your One-Stop Community Helpline

Don’t know where to start? Just dial 2-1-1.

2-1-1 is a free, confidential, 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week service that provides access to critical community programs and services. [27] Calls are answered by live specialists trained to work with clients to understand their core concerns and make useful referrals. [28] The service is available in multiple languages, making it especially valuable for East San Jose’s diverse senior population. [29]

You can also text your zip code to 898211 to get help with housing, food, mental health, and other services. [30]

6. Meals on Wheels — The Health Trust

For seniors who have difficulty shopping or cooking, The Health Trust Meals on Wheels delivers hot, nutritious meals five days a week — sometimes with the option of a once-a-week frozen meal — to seniors and adults with disabilities. [31] In addition to the meals, drivers also provide daily wellness checks, making sure that clients are safe, alert, and cared for. [32]

To find out about Meals on Wheels eligibility, contact Sourcewise at (408) 350-3246.

7. Home Modification & Safety Resources

Aging in place safely often requires some adjustments to the home. According to a 2024 survey, 95% of adults aged 55 and older consider aging in place an important goal. [33] Yet a 2020 U.S. Census Bureau report estimated that just 10% of homes in the United States are aging-ready. [34]

Here are local resources that can help:

Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley (rebuildingtogethersv.org): Provides home modifications to improve safety, accessibility, and mobility for lower-income homeowners — serving San Jose and surrounding Santa Clara County communities. [35]
Sourcewise Older Adults Home Modification Program: Connects seniors to resources like grab bars, ramps, and medical alert systems to reduce the risk of falls and injuries. [36]

8. Transportation for Seniors

Getting around can be one of the biggest challenges for older adults. Santa Clara County provides transportation programs to help seniors stay mobile:

VTA Paratransit: Provides accessible transportation options for seniors and people with disabilities, operating within the same service area and service times as VTA bus and light rail service. [37]
Sourcewise Transit Service: Available for South County residents, and Sourcewise can connect East San Jose seniors to other transportation resources through their Information & Awareness program. [38]

9. Mental Health & Social Connection

Social isolation is a serious concern for older adults. One in three adults aged 50-80 reported feeling isolated at least some of the time. [39] Fortunately, East San Jose has resources to help:

Bay Area Community Health provides Behavioral Health Therapy group sessions, including psychoeducation groups on topics that interest seniors, at several Senior Nutrition sites. [40]
The Eastside Neighborhood Center hosts multicultural special events, classes, presentations, and workshops to foster socialization and prevent isolation. [41]
The Alzheimer’s Association offers a professionally staffed 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900, providing information and advice and translation services in more than 200 languages. [42]

How Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care East San Jose Fits Into the Picture

While the community resources above are invaluable, many families find that their loved ones need consistent, day-to-day support that goes beyond what programs and services can provide. That’s where Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care East San Jose comes in.

Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care East San Jose is dedicated to providing compassionate, dependable in-home senior care within one of Silicon Valley’s most diverse and family-oriented communities. Serving neighborhoods like Evergreen, Alum Rock, Berryessa, and Silver Creek, the team understands that care isn’t one-size-fits-all — especially in a community as culturally rich as East San Jose.

What makes Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care East San Jose different? Care is delivered by trusted local caregivers who reflect the community’s values, languages, and traditions. The organization understands the importance of multigenerational households and builds care solutions that support — not replace — family involvement. Whether your loved one needs companionship, help with daily tasks, meal preparation, medication reminders, or transportation to appointments, Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care East San Jose is here to help.

Think of Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care East San Jose as the personal, relationship-first layer of care that works alongside the community resources listed in this guide. While Sourcewise can connect you to Meals on Wheels and HICAP, and the Eastside Neighborhood Center provides social programming, Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care East San Jose provides the consistent, in-home presence that gives families peace of mind every single day.

If you’re ready to explore in-home care options for your loved one in East San Jose, we invite you to reach out to Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care East San Jose to learn more about how we can support your family — with dignity, respect, and a deep connection to the community you call home.

Website: locations.seniorshelpingseniors.com/ca/sanjose/

Quick Reference: East San Jose Senior Resource Contacts

Navigating senior care doesn’t have to be done alone. East San Jose is a community that takes care of its own — and Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care East San Jose is proud to be part of that tradition.

Citations

[1] https://www.aarp.org/home-living/home-community-preferences-survey-2024/
[2] https://mysourcewise.com/about/area-plan/
[3] https://mysourcewise.com/
[4] https://mysourcewise.com/programs-services/information/
[5] https://mysourcewise.com/programs-services/information/
[6] https://mysourcewise.com/programs-services/care-management/
[7] https://mysourcewise.com/programs-services/care-management/
[8] https://mysourcewise.com/programs-services/
[9] https://mysourcewise.com/programs-services/care-management/multipurpose-senior-services-program/
[10] https://mysourcewise.com/programs-services/senior-employment-services/
[11] https://ssa.santaclaracounty.gov/departments/department-aging-and-adult-services
[12] https://ssa.santaclaracounty.gov/departments/department-aging-and-adult-services
[13] https://www.sccfd.org/education-and-preparedness-overview/safety-information-referral-assistance/senior-aging-resources/
[14] https://ssa.santaclaracounty.gov/departments/department-aging-and-adult-services
[15] https://ssa.santaclaracounty.gov/departments/department-aging-and-adult-services
[16] https://www.ccscc.org/east-side-neighborhood-center
[17] https://www.ccscc.org/east-side-neighborhood-center
[18] https://www.dsj.org/8-services-for-older-adults-at-catholic-charities/
[19] https://www.dsj.org/8-services-for-older-adults-at-catholic-charities/
[20] https://www.ccscc.org/assisting-older-adults
[21] https://www.ccscc.org/east-side-neighborhood-center
[22] https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/parks-recreation-neighborhood-services/programs-activities/active-adults-50
[23] https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/parks-recreation-neighborhood-services/programs-activities/active-adults-50
[24] https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/parks-recreation-neighborhood-services/programs-activities/active-adults-50
[25] https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/parks-recreation-neighborhood-services/programs-activities/active-adults-50
[26] https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/parks-recreation-neighborhood-services/programs-activities/active-adults-50
[27] https://www.211bayarea.org/santaclara/seniors/
[28] https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-a-f/fire-department/community-resources/2-1-1-santa-clara-county
[29] https://211bayarea.org/counties/santa-clara/
[30] https://211bayarea.org/counties/santa-clara/
[31] https://sccld.org/community-resources/
[32] https://sccld.org/community-resources/
[33] https://www.retirementliving.com/aging-in-place/aging-in-place-statistics
[34] https://www.retirementliving.com/aging-in-place/aging-in-place-statistics
[35] https://www.sccfd.org/education-and-preparedness-overview/safety-information-referral-assistance/senior-aging-resources/
[36] https://mysourcewise.com/programs-services/care-management/
[37] https://www.scfhp.com/for-members/community-resources/
[38] https://mysourcewise.com/programs-services/care-management/
[39] https://www.premierhcinc.com/blog/home-care-statistics/
[40] https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/parks-recreation-neighborhood-services/programs-activities/active-adults-50
[41] https://www.ccscc.org/east-side-neighborhood-center
[42] https://www.sccfd.org/education-and-preparedness-overview/safety-information-referral-assistance/senior-aging-resources/