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RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES | 39

Client Living in Isolation Now Thrives at Home with Support

“Jennifer,” a resilient elderly resident of Riverside County, was facing the daunting challenge of living alone without family or community support. Loneliness was taking a toll. She is not alone. The U.S. Census Bureau reports about 28% of people 65 and older live by themselves. Like Jennifer, many are experiencing vision or hearing loss, cognitive challenges and struggling to care for themselves. A team from Riverside County Public Authority stepped in to bring Jennifer the invaluable gift of caring and resources. Connecting proved difficult at first due to Jennifer’s difficulty with communication and forgetfulness. The turning point came with a home visit by Social Services Supervisor Alejandra Munoz and a potential caregiver. The caregiver brought a sense of warmth and connection to Jennifer’s world, replacing the loneliness, sorrow, and isolation she had been experiencing since the death of her beloved son. With assistance from the Riverside County Public Authority and the registry caregiver, Jennifer’s life underwent a remarkable transformation. She is now thriving in the comfort of her own home. Thanks to the compassionate efforts of the Riverside County Public Authority and its dedicated team, Jennifer’s story is one of resilience, hope and hope for a brighter future.

Thriving at Home