Who are we?
Self-Help for the Elderly began providing services in 1966 to assist very low income, socially isolated seniors in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Today it serves approximately 35,000 seniors in four counties: San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Alameda. Its growth and longevity can be attributed to its ability to respond to each new generation of seniors: to their changing interests, to their needs as they age and to their requests to provide services in locations where needs are not being addressed. This willingness and flexibility, along with quality service, has served as catalysis to enter new areas of services.

Our mission:
Self-Help promotes the independence, dignity and self-worth of seniors by providing a comprehensive range of multicultural and multilingual services. These services adhering to a wellness continuum are designed to empower seniors to make healthy lifestyle choices, enhance their standards of living and optimize the quality of life.

Services:
Services include senior/social centers, employment/training/placement, computer learning classes, housing for the more independent/active seniors, non-medical in-home services, adult day health centers, residential care facilities, licensed homecare/hospice for those needing more help and Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program.