Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley (RTSV) is an independent affiliate of the national Rebuilding Together organization and is one of the only organizations in Santa Clara County that provides critical repairs at no cost to low-income homeowners and nonprofit facilities by leveraging volunteer labor. Since our establishment in 1991, Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley has renovated nearly 5,132 homes and community facilities.  

We serve homeowners like Joseph, an 87-year-old veteran who cannot afford to make repairs and/or modifications to his home. His independence and safety were jeopardized by the condition of his home. Joseph met his wife while he was serving in the US Armed Services. They started a family while Joseph was serving in France and later returned to California. He worked for the post office for 36 years while his wife worked for Cupertino High School for 21 years. Now both retired, they found home repairs difficult to take care of on their own.   

Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley’s life-changing work helped the couple safely age in place by installing a ramp at their front door to ensure they can safely enter and exit their home and added two sets of posts and railings on their front porch for added accessibility. RTSV staff also added a shower seat and grab bars to maintain their independence while bathing, as well as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Volunteers even gave Joseph’s home a new coat of paint! 

RTSV preserves affordable housing by transforming homes and lives through critical repairs and accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners and community centers, at no cost to the service recipient.  We can provide all our services, at no cost to the recipient, by utilizing volunteer labor and donated and reduced cost supplies and materials. 

Without donors, we cannot fund our projects. Without volunteers, we cannot perform our work. Without clients, we cannot serve our community. To get involved by supporting us, volunteering your time, or applying for repairs, email info@rtsv.org or visit our website www.rtsv.org.   

Public Authority Services (PA) by Sourcewise supports care recipients and Independent Care Providers (IPs) of Santa Clara County’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program by enabling and empowering care recipients to hire IPs. 

PA enrolls all IHSS IPs within the county into the IHSS program, enabling care recipients to connect both family and non-family IPs to their case. The IHSS program pays enrolled caregivers for the authorized services they perform. 

For care recipients who do not have a person they can hire, PA also maintains a body of pre-screened IPs who care recipients can interview and hire. This includes on-call, short-term care services for qualifying IHSS care recipients in urgent, unexpected situations. 

In addition, PA offers several optional resources to support IHSS enrolled IPs. These include administering medical, dental, and vision benefits, as well as a free SmartPass for public transportation.; PA also offers training classes, for which IPs receive $35 per class completed; and acting as the employer of record for collective bargaining with the Service Employees International Union for all IHSS IPs, whether they are members or not. 

PA’s mission is to support the choice of older adults and individuals with disabilities to live independently for as long as possible. Learn more about the services offered by PA, as well as news and updates about the IHSS program, by visiting pascc.org. 

IHSS is a Medi–Cal program. To learn more about qualifying and applying to receive services, visit the In-Home Supportive Services page at In-Home Supportive Services | Social Services Agency | County of Santa Clara (santaclaracounty.gov)

With the hottest days of the year upon us, hydration is of the upmost importance. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people 65 years of age and older are among the groups most at risk for dehydration during the hot summer season. Dehydration can take a negative toll on the human body and cause side effects. “As you get older, your sense of thirst can be impaired, so you may not recognize your body’s need for fluids,” says Ardeshir Hashmi, M.D., Section Chief of the Center for Geriatric Medicine at Cleveland Clinic. 

A few negative side effects of dehydration include:  

• Fatigue – feeling more tired than usual, both physically and mentally. 
• Muscle cramps – experiencing cramps or spasms throughout your body at unexpected times.  
• Dry Mouth – causing saliva in our mouths to dry up more quickly and frequently causing discomfort.

Avoiding dehydration can be achieved by drinking more water and other fluids. The thought of drinking water can seem unappealing to many of us. To combat this, beverage companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi are creating new alternatives for their customers, such as flavor-infused waters and electrolyte powder packets. However, drinking water and other liquids isn’t the only option to stay hydrated. 

 Another option to increase your water intake is by incorporating water-rich foods into your daily meals. Fruits like watermelon, cucumbers, apples, and vegetables such as peppers are excellent choices due to their high-water content and seasonal availability. Prioritizing hydration is essential for maintaining health and well-being, especially during hot weather.  

If you’re interested in learning more about staying hydrated this summer, call (408) 350-3200, option 1, to speak to a Community Resource Specialist today. 

Being a family caregiver is demanding and selfless work. A family caregiver is someone who: 

• Cares for a family member or another individual (i.e. friend or neighbor) 
• Is an informal (unpaid) provider of in-home or community care to a care receiver 
• Is 18 years or older

We understand that family caregivers also need support. If you are feeling burnt out or stressed it is imperative that you take care of yourself and take a break. Unbeknownst to many family caregivers, additional support is available to help you.  

One option many family caregivers aren’t aware of is respite care. Respite care provides temporary relief for a family caregiver, enabling you to take a much-needed break from the demands of caregiving a sick, aging, or disabled family member. 

Respite care can be provided by other family members, friends, or volunteers. You can also connect with professionals throughout your county by contacting your local Area Agency on Aging or by visiting the ARCH National Respite Locator Service. Respite care provided by a friend, relative, or volunteer and may have no associated costs. Professional services charge by the hour or by the number of days or weeks that services are provided. 

If you are or know of a family caregiver needing financial assistance or unable to afford respite care, consider connecting with our Caregivers Network and inquiring more about their respite grant. The respite grant can amount up to $1000.00 for each eligible informal family caregiver. 

To learn more about respite care, explore the different options available, and ensure you are prioritizing your well-being as a caregiver, speak with a Community Resource Specialist: (408) 350-3200, option 1.