Senior Advocate

The Office of the Senior Advocate, created in May 2003, serves residents of Chesterfield County ages 60 and older, their family members and caregivers by providing information and referral, and promoting and coordinating services for:

• Older adults who want to remain active and independent, and be vital contributors to their communities through volunteer and employment opportunities
• Older adults who may need assistance to remain as independent as possible
• Caregivers, including those who may themselves be older and need assistance

Our Mission

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life of older adults and their caregivers in Chesterfield County and to promote the ability to live active, independent lives as long as possible.

Our Vision

Our vision is to provide leadership and direction as Chesterfield County seeks to meet the needs of an increasingly older population.

Summary of Services

• Information about and referrals to services and resources relating to issues of aging and caregiving
• Promote and coordinate services for older adults and their caregivers through regular meetings with county Human Services departments, not-for-profit organizations and private businesses
• Act as a spokesperson and advocate for older adults and their caregivers on the local, state and national level
• Senior Services Directory of resources for older adults and disabled adults and their caregivers

Collaborative Partnerships

The Office of the Senior Advocate serves as a collaborative partner working with other organizations to meet the needs of older adults. In this capacity, the office has been active in the following regional efforts:

• CCHASM
• Chesterfield Aging and Disabled Services (CADS)
• Chesterfield Council on Aging (CCA)
• Chesterfield Partnership for Successful Aging (CPSA)
• Chesterfield TRIAD
• Elder Friends
• Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI)
• Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging
• Senior Navigator
• Shepherd’s Center of Chesterfield
• Virginia Center on Aging
• Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging

The Office of the Senior Advocate is continuing to establish innovative partnerships to meet the needs of Chesterfield County's older residents and their caregivers.

Special Initiatives/Events

Through it efforts to promote services to enhance the quality of life, the Office of the Senior Advocate has been a partner in sponsoring the following special events:

• Chesterfield Senior Dance - Spring
• Chesterfield Legislative Forum - May 14
• Chesterfield Council on Aging “Mini Gardens and Creative Containers”-May 22
• “Alternatives to Guardianship” program - May 29
• TRIAD “Personal Safety” program-June 18
• TRIAD “Gang Awareness” program-August 27
• Chesterfield Council on Aging “Spirituality in Older Adults” program-September 25
• Senior Connections Empty Plate Luncheon-October 14
• Chesterfield Senior Advocacy Training - October 20
• Chesterfield Council on Aging “AARP Advocacy Training” program-October 23
• Chesterfield Senior Hall of Fame - October 23
• TRIAD “Who Has Their Hands in Grandma’s Wallet?  The Frauds and Scams Targeting Older Adults” program - October 29
• Chesterfield Holiday Visits to Homebound Seniors and Disabled Adults-December 9, 10, 11

Chesterfield County Senior Advocate, (804) 768-7878, Leidheiserd@chesterfield.gov