The Center for Aging Resources (CFAR)

The Center for Aging Resources is a comprehensive geropsychological agency that meets the needs of over 2,000 seniors and their families in Los Angeles and San Diego Counties each year. Providing community service and professional training, all staff is supervised by licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers and Marriage & Family Therapists. Services are funded by the county of Los Angeles' Department of Mental Health and Area Agency on Aging; the city of Pasadena, including Pasadena Police Department; the National Center on Elder Abuse; the Pfaffinger Foundation; San Diego County's Department of Mental Health, donations, and out-of-pocket fees based on ability to pay. Medicare, Medi-Cal and some other insurances are accepted.

Heritage Clinic: Mental Health Services

The Heritage Clinic is the division of the Center for Aging Resources that provides the following mental health services.

In-home psychotherapy, psychological assessment and care management are conducted with frail seniors who are experiencing mental health difficulties, have substance abuse issues, are socially isolated and/or at risk of maltreatment or premature institutionalization. Family services are also provided.

In-clinic patient psychotherapy, and psychological and neuropsychological assessment are available to older adults with mental health difficulties. Those who desire personal growth, are experiencing mental health difficulties, are concerned about substance use, are at risk of elder abuse and/or are victims of crime are also served. Family services are available as well.

Intensive mental health services are available in San Diego County and parts of Los Angeles County for elders with the most severe mental health difficulties. These services include outreach and engagement; assessment; care management; psychotherapy; medication evaluation and follow-up; crisis management; and peer advocacy.

Psychiatric medication evaluation and services are provided as needed to older adults who are participating in other mental health services.

Support groups are conducted for caregivers; isolated elders living in residential facilities; older parents who are impacted by their adult offspring's financial dependence, substance abuse or persistent mental illness; parenting grandparents; and elders with mild to moderate cognitive impairment.

DEMENTIA SERVICES (Community Assistance Program for Seniors)
Dementia-specific services include adult daycare services and activity programs for dementia clients, Alzheimer's educational seminars, caregiver support groups, and psychological assessment. Care planning; family consultation and referrals; individual, family and group psychotherapy; and transportation to and from the center for program participants are available.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Community education includes elder abuse awareness workshops and volunteer training. Seminars to address such diverse topics as caregiver issues, crime prevention, spirituality and sexuality may also be arranged.

Trauma debriefing is extended to residents and staff of retirement communities who are exposed to severe psychological trauma within their environment, such as community violence and natural disasters.

Community-building outreach is conducted with diverse elders in the Pasadena area who are at risk of elder abuse related to isolation.

Training includes APA accredited Predoctoral internship in clinical psychology, APA accredited continuing education credits, and other training opportunities.