The Hyper-Local Senior Resource Guide

Finding the right support for an aging loved one — or for yourself — can feel overwhelming. Between navigating government programs, locating community services, and figuring out transportation and meals, it’s easy to feel lost before you’ve even started. That’s why we put together this hyper-local guide to senior resources across Fresno, Clovis, Madera, and the broader Central Valley. Whether you’re a family caregiver doing research, a senior looking for connection and support, or someone simply planning ahead, this guide is for you.

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] A separate survey found that 95% of adults aged 55 and older consider aging in place an important goal — up from 92% in 2023. [2]

But wanting to stay home and being able to stay home are two different things. The good news? The Fresno-Madera region has a rich network of local programs designed to help seniors do exactly that — remain independent, connected, and cared for right here in the communities they love.

1. Start Here: The Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging (FMAAA)

If you only bookmark one resource from this guide, make it the Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging (FMAAA). The Agency on Aging has been connecting older adults to information, resources, and services since 1980. [3] It serves as the central hub for senior services across both Fresno and Madera counties, offering referrals to everything from home-delivered meals to legal assistance.

The FMAAA’s Information and Assistance service is available to seniors, their families, and others who need to become aware of the available resources serving older adults in Fresno and Madera counties. [4] You can reach them at (559) 214-0299 or toll-free at 1-800-510-2020. [5]

The FMAAA also administers a wide range of programs including nutrition services, caregiver support, and the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), all described in more detail below.

2. Senior Centers: Community Hubs for Connection and Activity

Clovis Senior Activity Center

The Clovis Senior Activity Center: A Smittcamp Family Legacy offers many programs and services to help older adults maintain an energetic and independent lifestyle. [6] Located at 850 4th Street in Clovis, the center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and can be reached at (559) 324-2750. [7]

The center sponsors a wide range of classes, programs, and activities to promote healthy and independent living for individuals 50 years and older, including leisure activities, educational opportunities, advocacy services, nutritional lunch and homebound meals, health and wellness programs, transportation, volunteer opportunities, and tax and forms assistance. [8] No membership fee is required, though some classes carry a small activity or registration fee.

Madera Senior Services

The City of Madera’s Senior Services Division operates comprehensive senior centers and nutrition sites across the city, open Monday through Friday throughout the year. [9] Seniors 60 years of age and older are welcome for midday meals, exercise classes, computer classes, and social activities.

The Madera Senior Services Division is funded in part by the Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging. [10] Programs include a nutrition program offering adults 60 and older a nutritionally balanced lunch for a suggested price of $2.50/meal, served Monday through Friday at 11:30 AM at senior centers (reservation required one day in advance before 11:00 AM). [11] For seniors who are homebound, home-delivered meals may also be available — contact Olga Saucedo-Garcia at (559) 661-5426 for more information. [12]

The Madera Senior Services Division also offers Dial-a-Ride tickets for seniors 60+ on Tuesdays at the Frank A. Bergon Senior Center and Pan-American Community Center, with a suggested donation of $5.00 per book of 10 one-way tickets. [13]

Fresno’s First Citywide Senior Center (Coming 2027)

Fresno is currently constructing its first dedicated citywide senior activity center. [14] The 34,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility broke ground in August 2025 and is expected to open in summer 2027. [15] The project will feature a gym, library, garden, pickleball and bocce ball courts, and will be made available free of charge to seniors living in Fresno. [16] Mayor Jerry Dyer described it as a future “vibrant hub for wellness, learning, socializing” that will serve seniors from every corner of the city. [17]

In the meantime, Fresno seniors can access community centers and meal sites throughout the city. AgewellFresno maintains a comprehensive, up-to-date directory of senior centers and meal sites across Fresno County at www.agewellfresno.com. [18]

3. Nutrition and Meals Programs

Good nutrition is foundational to healthy aging. Fortunately, Fresno and Madera counties offer multiple options for seniors who need help with meals.

Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels): In Fresno and Madera Counties, if you need a home-delivered meal, you can contact the Agency on Aging at (559) 214-0299. [19] Home-delivered meals help homebound older adults improve their diet, reduce food insecurity, and improve quality of life. [20]

Congregate Meal Sites: Hot meals are served Monday through Friday at multiple community centers throughout Fresno, including Inspiration Park, Lafayette Neighborhood Center, Mary Ella Brown Community Center, Mosqueda Community Center, Pinedale Community Center, and Ted C. Wills Community Center, among others. [21]

Fresno PACE: The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a national program that provides an alternative to nursing home placement for frail elderly individuals who are able to remain in their homes. [22] Fresno PACE members have access to a senior activities center, comprehensive medical and therapy services, round-trip transportation, and caregiver support services. [23] Fresno PACE is located in downtown Fresno. Learn more at www.fresnopace.org.

4. Transportation Options for Seniors

Getting around is one of the most common challenges for older adults who no longer drive. Senior transportation in Fresno and Madera counties consists of a network of bus, taxi, and shared-ride services, with discounts for older adults, though some services require an application and/or advanced reservation. [24]

Measure C Senior Scrip Program: The Measure C Senior Scrip program provides alternative, reliable, and affordable transportation to Fresno County residents 70 years of age and older. [25] Eligible seniors receive a 75% discount on vouchers or credits to pay for transportation fares, including taxi services and Lyft/Uber rides scheduled through GoGoGrandparent. [26] Contact the Fresno Council of Governments for more information at www.fresnocog.org.

Handy Ride (City of Fresno): The City of Fresno Handy Ride Service provides public individual rides to and from residences of disabled and elderly residents. [27] Call (559) 621-7433 for more information.

Fresno Area Express (FAX) Buses: FAX buses and paratransit services help older adults get around the city without needing to drive, and seniors are eligible for reduced fares. [28]

Clovis Stageline: Clovis Stageline bus routes are free for those 65 and older and persons with disabilities. For routes and information, call (559) 324-2770. [29]

Eastern Madera County Medical Escort Van: The Medical Escort Van is available to all Eastern Madera County residents, operating Tuesdays and Thursdays by reservation only, for transportation to medical appointments in Madera, Clovis, or Fresno. The cost is $10 per round trip. Call (559) 658-5555 for more information. [30]

5. Medicare Help: HICAP Counseling

Navigating Medicare can be a complicated web of enrollment periods, prescription drug coverage, penalties, billing, and appeals. [31] Fortunately, free, confidential, and unbiased help is available locally.

The Fresno-Madera Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), operated through the Valley Caregiver Resource Center, provides free Medicare counseling to seniors in Fresno and Madera counties. [32] HICAP counselors are registered with the California Department of Aging and complete continued education to stay well informed of Medicare updates. [33] They do not sell anything and are also trained Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) liaisons who help prevent, detect, and report Medicare fraud. [34]

HICAP also facilitates a monthly Medi-Cal Application Assistance Day (MAAD) for Fresno County beneficiaries, in partnership with the Fresno County Department of Social Services. [35]

To schedule a free HICAP counseling appointment, call (559) 224-9117, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or visit www.valleycrc.org. [36]

6. Caregiver Support: Valley Caregiver Resource Center (VCRC)

Family caregivers are the backbone of senior care in our community — and they need support too. The Valley Caregiver Resource Center (VCRC) provides seniors and their caregivers throughout the Central Valley with a wide array of services, serving Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Tuolumne counties. [37]

VCRC offers free help in finding resources if you’re caring for seniors who need help with daily living activities, or caring for anyone suffering from conditions such as traumatic brain injury, dementia, stroke, or Alzheimer’s. [38] The VCRC system helps families and communities master the challenges of caring for adults with brain-impairing conditions, and is part of the California Caregiver Resource Center system, which consists of 11 sites across the state. [39]

Visit www.valleycrc.org or call (559) 224-9117 to learn more.

7. Online Senior Resource Directories

For a comprehensive, locally maintained directory of senior resources in the Central Valley, check out these trusted sources:

• AgewellFresno (www.agewellfresno.com): A locally operated online senior resource center and print magazine that connects seniors to services and provides information on aging and senior issues in California’s Central Valley. [40]
• Fresno County Public Library – Senior Resource Center (fresnolibrary.org/seniors): Provides a curated list of resources to help seniors and caregivers find the various types of information and services they need. [41]
• California Department of Aging – Find Services in My County (aging.ca.gov): A statewide directory that connects you to local services by county. [42]

How Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care Greater Fresno Fits In

Local programs and community resources are invaluable — but sometimes what a senior truly needs is consistent, one-on-one support at home. That’s where Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care Greater Fresno comes in.

We provide compassionate, relationship-driven in-home support to seniors and families across Fresno, Madera, Clovis, and surrounding Central Valley communities. Our mission is to help older adults remain independent, comfortable, and connected while continuing to live in the homes they know and love. Care is delivered by trusted local caregivers who focus on companionship, reliability, and genuine human connection.

What makes Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care different? Our caregivers are seniors themselves — people who understand what it means to grow older, who bring empathy and lived experience to every visit. We believe senior care works best when it is local, personal, and relationship-based. We’re not a referral service or an impersonal agency. We’re your neighbors.

Whether your loved one needs help with daily tasks, companionship to combat isolation, or simply a friendly face to check in regularly, our team is here to help. We understand the unique needs of Central Valley families and offer care that feels familiar, respectful, and consistent.

If you’re a family caregiver trying to balance work, family, and the needs of an aging parent, you don’t have to do it alone. And if you’re a senior who wants to stay home but could use a little extra support, we’d love to talk.

Contact Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care Greater Fresno today to learn how we can support your family. Visit us at locations.seniorshelpingseniors.com/ca/fresno/202.html.

A Final Word

The Central Valley has a strong, caring community — and that community shows up for its seniors. From the FMAAA to local senior centers, from HICAP counselors to the Valley Caregiver Resource Center, there are real people and real programs ready to help. We hope this guide makes it a little easier to find the support you or your loved one deserves.

Bookmark this page, share it with a neighbor, and don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the organizations listed here. You are not alone.

Citations

[1] https://www.aarp.org/home-living/home-community-preferences-survey-2024/
[2] https://www.retirementliving.com/aging-in-place/aging-in-place-statistics
[3] https://www.fmaaa.org/
[4] https://www.fresnolibrary.org/seniors/res.html
[5] https://www.fmaaa.org/service-providers
[6] https://clovisseniors.org/new-to-the-center/
[7] https://www.findhelp.org/city-of-clovis–clovis-ca–clovis-senior-activity-center/5743317075099648?postal=93650
[8] https://www.findhelp.org/city-of-clovis–clovis-ca–clovis-senior-activity-center/5743317075099648?postal=93650
[9] https://www.madera.gov/home/departments/parks-community-services/activities-recreational-programs/senior-services/
[10] https://www.madera.gov/home/departments/parks-community-services/activities-recreational-programs/senior-services/
[11] https://www.madera.gov/home/departments/parks-community-services/activities-recreational-programs/senior-services/
[12] https://www.madera.gov/home/departments/parks-community-services/activities-recreational-programs/senior-services/
[13] https://www.madera.gov/home/departments/parks-community-services/activities-recreational-programs/senior-services/
[14] https://www.fresno.gov/seniorcenter/
[15] https://abc30.com/post/fresno-breaks-ground-first-state-art-citywide-senior-center/17515619/
[16] https://abc30.com/post/fresno-breaks-ground-first-state-art-citywide-senior-center/17515619/
[17] https://gvwire.com/2025/08/12/learn-whats-in-store-when-fresno-senior-center-opens/
[18] https://www.agewellfresno.com/senior-centers-meal-sites/
[19] https://www.agewellfresno.com/meals-on-wheels-for-fresno-county/
[20] https://www.agewellfresno.com/meals-on-wheels-for-fresno-county/
[21] https://www.agewellfresno.com/meals-on-wheels-for-fresno-county/
[22] https://www.fresnopace.org/
[23] https://www.fresnopace.org/
[24] https://www.agewellfresno.com/public-transportation/
[25] https://www.fresnocog.org/measure-c-senior-scrip/
[26] https://www.fresnocog.org/measure-c-senior-scrip/
[27] https://www.agewellfresno.com/public-transportation/
[28] https://www.caring.com/senior-living/assisted-living/california/fresno
[29] https://www.agewellfresno.com/public-transportation/
[30] https://www.agewellfresno.com/public-transportation/
[31] https://www.fmaaa.org/health-insurance-counseling-advocacy-program-hicap
[32] https://www.fmaaa.org/health-insurance-counseling-advocacy-program-hicap
[33] https://www.fmaaa.org/health-insurance-counseling-advocacy-program-hicap
[34] https://www.fmaaa.org/health-insurance-counseling-advocacy-program-hicap
[35] https://www.fmaaa.org/health-insurance-counseling-advocacy-program-hicap
[36] https://www.valleycrc.org/hicap
[37] https://www.valleycrc.org/
[38] https://www.valleycrc.org/caregiver
[39] https://www.valleycrc.org/caregiver
[40] https://www.agewellfresno.com/
[41] https://www.fresnolibrary.org/seniors/res.html
[42] https://aging.ca.gov/Find_Services_in_My_County/My_County/?cc=fre