Services

Fortuna Area Service Programs for Seniors

This directory links seniors with health and fitness, educational, social and recreational, financial, legal and other necessary service organizations, primarily in the immediate Fortuna area. Most are free of charge.

If cost is a concern, contact FSS for assistance.

Health and Fitness

S.T.R.O.N.G. - Tuesday and Thursday, 2 to 3 PM at Presbyterian Church on Ross Hill Rd.  The Program builds strength and is designed to ward off osteoporosis with the aid of weights.  Free of charge, to over 50, sponsored by Fortuna Senior Services, led by Marla Acridge.  For more information phone Fortuna Senior Services at 726-9203.

S.T.R.O.N.G. - Free strength training class for seniors (50+) to help prevent osteoporosis. Meets twice weekly, 5 to 6 p.m., at Fortuna United Methodist Church. Free transportation available. Rosemary Moore at 725-2613.

"Movin' It Off" - by popular demand, with Nanette Heidtman, work up a sweat and burn calories in an hour of low impact aerobics.  Wednesdays at 9:30 at Fortuna United Methodist Church.  Free of charge.  Sponsored by Fortuna
Senior Services.  Phone Nanette at 725-3231.

Maintaining Mobility– Tues. and Thurs. 9:30 – 10:30, and 10:45– 11:40 a.m., by Nanette Heidtman, sponsored by Fortuna Senior Services, at Fortuna United Methodist Church,

Anger Management Class -Weekly, Tuesday 6 PM, Fortuna United Methodist Church

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support group, meets at Ferndale St. Mark.s Church, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 4 PM.

Blood Pressure Checks: Free, first and third Sundays of each month, noontime, Fireside room, Fortuna Methodist Church, by Health Ministries and Sonya Houseworth.

Blood Pressure Test – First Thursday, 11:00, Seniors Dining Room, 2130 Smith Lane, 725-6245.

Fortuna Adult Day Health Services – Open 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mon. through Fri. at 2280 Newburg Road. Programs include physical therapy, exercises, music, cooking, arts and crafts, nursing care, occupational therapy, hot meals and more. Call 725-6927 for information.

Fortuna Community Services Center – Assists persons without shelter or food. Assists in locating housing, food and other personal items. 725-9381.

Grief Support Groups – Hospice of Humboldt offers free support groups and grief education materials. Call 445-8443, ask for Bereavement Services.

Health Dept. Senior Clinics - Every second and fourth Monday, by County Health Department. One hour with

nurse for comprehensive health check. Services include vision and hearing screening, blood testing for diabetes and anemia, review of health history, screening for skin and oral cancer and formulation of your personal health promotion plan. Seniors age 55 and older of all incomes welcome. No charge, but donations accepted. Christ Lutheran Church, 2132 Smith Lane. For appt, call Humboldt County Public Health Dep’t. 268-2107.

Fortuna Senior Services Hiking Group - Weekly hike, Fri.  Meet at Rohner Park 8:30 am to carpool.  All 50 and over in trail-ready physical condition welcome.  For info, phone 725-7953 for info.

Humboldt Domestic Violence Services – For adults experiencing or have experienced domestic violence. At Redwood Memorial Hospital. Phone Tami – 834-2195 or Patricia at 444-9255 for information.

Immunization Clinic - by County Health Department, 529 I St., Eureka, Mon. , Wed. and Fri, 8:30 - 11:00, Tues. thru Fri. 1:00 - 4:00.. Call 268-2108 for information.

Linkages – A Humboldt Senior Resource Program of long term care information and assistance for seniors and their families. Consultations regarding long-term care placements options and resources. Call 443-9747.

Movin It Off -   Sponsored by Fortuna Senior Services, conducted by Nanette Heidtman, Wednesdays, 9:30 - 10:30 am, at the Methodist Church. This is a low impact aerobics program focused on weight reduction, free of charge."

Mr. Fitness, Cox Cable Channel 10, Mon., 4 PM. Strength training instructional video for over 50. Build strength, tone bone, help with flexibility and balance. In person strength training class info call Julie Sessa, Area Agency on Aging, 442-3763, ext. 208.

Narcotics Anonymous: Weekly, Thursdays, 8 p.m., Fortuna United Methodist Church. Kim Chamberlain, 725-8867.

Pneumonia Shots available at Health Dept. clinic in Eureka, open daily. Call 268-2108.

Senior Information and Assistance – Information referral and advocacy for seniors and caregivers. Also administers Family Caregiver Support services. Call 442-9591.

St. Luke’s Manor – Providing less intensive medical care than do acute care hospitals, such as: occupational, speech and physical therapies; respite care; long term and custodial care; restorative therapy. Provide 24 hour care, and licensed and certified by the Dep’t. of Health Services. Accept Medicare and Medi-Cal or private pay.

St. Joseph Home Care – Nurses, social workers, home health aides visit homes of homebound patients to provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, personal care or other care as appropriate. Service established through physician referral only; payment generally through Medicare or private insurance. Call 725-3389.

TOPS Chapter 949 of Takes Off Pounds Sensibly, meets at Rohnert Park Rec. Hall Fridays, 9:30 a.m. Weigh in at 9 a.m. Share friendly support and encouragement. Info: 725-2865.

Walking Group -  Sponsored by Fortuna Senior Services, meet at River Lodge 8:00 am, Mon. -

Fri. walk along Eel River 2 mi. round trip. 

Weight Watchers, weekly Thurs. at 5 p.m. at Fortuna United Methodist Church. Call Tami Gillam, 725-3704.

Yoga for Seniors – The Fortuna United Methodist Church, 10th & N St, Tues. – 2:30 pm, donation. Patricia 445-0644, certified Yoga Teacher.

Nutrition Programs

Lunch - Senior’s Dining Room, in Mountain View Village, 2130 Smith Lane. Sponsored by Humboldt Senior Resource Center Nutrition Program. Mon. - Fri. 11:45 to 12:30 p.m. 725-6245 for reservations. No charge, but suggested donation of $2.

Meals on Wheels – Sponsored by Blue Lake Rancheria Elderly Nutrition Program for seniors who cannot get out to the lunch site. Delivers each Monday, 5 frozen meals with milk and juice. $3.25 per meal. Call Anita Huff, 668-5101.

Senior Brown Bag Program. Second Tuesday every month, 12:30, Fortuna United Methodist Church. By Food For People (Humboldt County Food Bank). Bag of groceries for income eligible seniors. Home delivered for homebound. Call Chris Wisner, 445-3166. Waiting list only.

St. Joseph Pantry Shelf, 2292 Newburg Road, MWF 10-12 noon. Provides emergency food staples; no age restriction. Commodity foods. Information call 725-1216.

Adult Education

Fortuna High School Programs:

AARP Driver Safety Program - An 8-hour classroom refresher course especially designed for drivers age 50 and over.  Upgrade your knowledge of the rules of the road, earn eligibility for aauto insurance discounts, and more.  For information, call Melanie Johnson, 677-0147.  Anyone 50 and over is eligible.  You do not have to be an AARP member. 

Adult Basic Education – Improve your basic skills in the areas of mathematics, reading and writing.
725-4482

GED Preparation – Take practice test, and brush up only in the areas you specifically need. 725-4482.

High School Diploma – Don’t have enough credits to graduate? Work directly with your school counselor to help you succeed. 725-4482.

Basic Computer Training – Shop online, make travel arrangements, gather information, order prescriptions, online banking, and much more. 725-4482

English as a Second Language – Free ongoing classes, childcare.

725-4482.

Preparation for Citizenship – Will get you ready for the INS naturalization test and interview. Free ongoing classes, childcare provided. 725-4482.

Social Activities

Fortuna Senior Services Saturday Club – Third Saturday of each month, Usually 10:00 am – 12:00, At the Fortuna United Methodist Church, 10th and N St. Free of charge, open to the public.  Phone 726-9203 or visit www.fortunasenior.org for calendar of events.

Games and Crafts – by Fortuna Senior Services. Drop by for a cup of coffee or tea, play your favorite card game or board game, and socialize with friends at the Presbyterian Church, Thurs. 9:00– 11:30 and Fri. 9:30 - 121:30. 

Bingo - Every Tues., 5:30 pm, Senior’s Dining Room, 2130 Smith Lane,

725-6245.

Bingo – Games held Tuesday nights in Veterans Memorial Building. Early bird at 6:45; regular bingo at 7:30. Call John Sammons, 496-8927.

Craft-T-Crafters – Do you sew? Crochet? Knit? Crafters meet first Tuesday of each month (except July) 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Rec. Hall in Rohner Park to make items benefiting service programs in the community. Sponsored by Retired Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P.). Call Gloria Sells, 725-3036.

Friends of the dunes Guided Walk. 10 am - 12:30, Chris Chalfant leads tour of the Lanphere Dunes. 444-1397, www.friendsofthedunes.org

Friends of the Arcata Marsh. 2pm Interpretive Center. Guided tour of the marsh focusing on birds and ecology. 826-2359.

Swing Dance, 7-10 p.m., Arcata Dance Studio, beginning swing lesson followed by dancing, $3. 822-2877.

Ballroom Dance, 7-11 p.m., Bayside Grange, by Carrie and Bruce Hart. Swing and Jazz standards, $8 . $5 members. 455-5101

DANCE. Friendship /Circle , Mon, 7-10 p.m. Moose Lodge in Eureka., social dancing to 30s & 40s music with 2 live swing bands for 50 and over. $3. 822-8591.

Line Dancing for Seniors - Popular class meets every Wed at 1:25 p.m. in the HSRC Dining Room. Experienced line dancer Marian Baker and daughter Diana Munoz help out. Fun to learn, don’t need a partner. Enjoy and get exercise.

Fortuna Depot Museum – 1893 vintage Railroad Depot houses artifacts bringing to life Fortuna and Eel River Valley history. Winter hours 12 – 4:30 p.m. Thurs. – Sun. Summer hours the same daily. For group tours, call 725-7645. Tour takes about 1 1/2 hours.

Genealogy via the Internet - June Nessler of Fortuna, email nessler@sbcglobal.net.

Horseshoe Club - Meets 4th Thurs., Mar. – Oct., 7 pm. Contact Bernice Larson, 725-3052.

Music with Al and Ray – 3rd Tuesday at Seniors Dining Room, 2130 Smith Lane, Phone for time, 725-6245.

Pinochle/Cards – A fter Lunch, Senior’s Dining Room, 2130 Smith Lane, 725-6245. Wed, pinochle, Thurs. crafts.  Music on 3rd Wed at 10:30 am. 

Rohner Grange – Meets 1st and 3rd Wed., 7:30 pm. Grange Hall.

Senior Volleyball – For 50 and over, Sat. mornings 10:00 to 12:00 at Toddy Thomas gym. Call Pat Ennes, 444-9618. Would like more members.

Financial Assistance

Neighborhood Watch Program – Neighbors watching out for one another’s homes. Meetings 4th Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Contact Officer Collins, 725-7550 for information.

Senior Citizens on Patrol – Seniors in uniform monitor various community areas. An organized program of the Fortuna Police Department. Contact Fortuna P.D., 725-7550.

Medical/Health Insurance

HICAP, a program of Area Agency on Aging. Questions on Medicare or Health Insurance? Help with the application process for the Medication Assistance program regarding free medications to seniors unable to pay for needed prescription drugs. Assistance with Medicare appeals, help organizing your medical records. By appointment 444-3000.

Legal/Protective Services

District Attorney Victim Assistance Program – County of Humboldt services to victims or witnesses to a crime needing help. Victim Assistance, call 445-7417. Rape Crisis hotline call 445-7417. Women for Shelter, call 443-6042. Mental Health Crisis, call 445-7203.

Elder Law Consultations - Small Estate Planning, Alimony, Trusts,

Debts/Bankruptcy, Credit Card problems, Grandchild Visitation, Divorce, Wills; Power of Attorney, Child Support, Advance Health Care Directive or Probate (and avoiding probate).

Call (707) 4445-0866 or (800) 972-0002 to set an appointment.

Senior Legal Services – Seniors 60 and older, no cost to residents of Humboldt County,. Provides legal advice, representation, referrals and other brief services, include: questions regarding probate, wills, trusts, estate planning, consumer rights, debt defense, bankruptcy, civil law matters. Contact Wendy Brunner to make appointment, 443-9747. Provided by Legal Services of Northern California with funding from the Area 1 Agency on Aging and donations.

RUOK is a Police Dep’t computer system, free to any Fortuna resident over the age of 55, or to residents who are home bound, and the medically disabled regardless of age. The system checks on the resident by phone once a day to verify their well being. If there is no response, the system will call back two more times. If still no answer, emergency action will begin. For more information, call 725-7550 Mon. – Fri., 8am to 5pm..

Transportation

Fortuna Senior Bus – Call 725-7625 before the day the ride is needed. Available to people 50 and over or disabled, to locations in Fortuna. Fee $1.25 each way. Reservations for doctor appointments may be made up to one month in advance. Reservations for non-medical appointments may be made up to one week in advance. Purchase punch cards of 20 rides for $20 at Parks and Recreation office in Rohner Park, or from driver.

Clubs/Organizations

Fortuna African Violet Club - Meets 2nd Tues, 1 pm, monthly, at St. Francis Episcopal Church.  Phone Kristi Wilson, 725-5479. 

Fortuna Art Council – Meets every 3rd Mon., 1 p.m. at Recreation Hall in Rohner Park. Contact Virginia Nesmith, 725-2440 or Julia Bedner, 725-4081.

Fortuna Camera Club - Monthly, the last Friday of the month at 7 p.m., Fortuna United Methodist Church. Contact Ron Irvin, 682-6033 or Jack Coleman, 725-6762.

Toastmasters Club, Eel River – Meets 1st and 3rd Wed., monthly, 7:30 pm, City Council chambers.

Fortuna Concert Series – Monthly concerts Sept. through May at the Monday Club. For concert information call Bob Besanceney at 725-7974 or Mary Frazer at 725-3519.

Fortuna Garden Club – Meets 2nd Wed. each month, 1 p.m. at the Monday Club. Gardening, flower shows, landscaping and community beautification. Call Fawn Pratt, 768-3889.

Fortuna Kiwanis – Meets each Tues, 12 noon at Peppers Restaurant. Contact Gary Markegard, 725-6726 or Sally Conley (H) 768-1979 or (W) 725-7940. 

Fortuna Pistol Club - Meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. at Rohner Rec. Hall or Range House. 12 yd and 25 yd range. Range open to the public Wed. (except holidays) 7 – 9 p.m. Call Rick Jennings at 725-1505.

Horseshoe Club – Club courts in Rohner Park have 14 pits, fenced for safety. Open Mar. through Oct. Club meets 4th Thurs. each month 7 p.m. Sponsors local and nationally sanctioned tournaments.

Lions Club – meets 1st Thurs., 6:45 p.m. at Hot Brew. Second Thurs. at 7:30 pm at Rohner Rec. Hall.  Contact Andy Erickson, 725-9293.

Masonic Lodge – Meets 2nd Sat. each month at 8 p.m. in Masonic Hall, 922 Main St. Contact Jim Widdoes, 725-2408 (H) or 725-2294 (W).

Native Daughters of the Golden West - Theme highlights the native Californians, their heritage and pioneers. Meets at Recreation Hall 2nd Tues. each month, 1 – 3 p.m. Contact Alice Haywood, 725-3586 or Pat Cooke, 725-3689.

Retired Senior Volunteer Program - Seniors 55 and over volunteering their skills and maturity in service to the community. Talents are matched to wide variety of volunteer needs of the public and nonprofit agencies, schools and special projects in the area. Contact Stacy Becker at V-COR, 442-3711.

Redwood Genealogical Society – Trace your ancestors. Genealogical Library, located in Rohner Recreation Hall, is open Wed. mornings starting at 9 a.m. Classes and seminars held periodically. Call Ruth Teasley, 725-4307.

Rohner Grange – Has statewide insurance of all kinds, does degree work, offers blood bank services, Firemen’s Fund, Guide Dogs for the Blind, and more. Contact Lois Trumbull, 764-3745.

Rotary Club – Meets 12 p.m. Thurs, at Hunan Village Restaurant. Contact Jeff Nelson, 725-3499.

Sunrise Rotary – Meets each Wed., 6:45 a.m. at Hot Brew Restaurant. Contact Dennis Hansen, 725-4461, ext 3012.

Toastmasters Club, Eel River – Meets 1st and 3rd Wed., monthly, 7 pm, City Council chambers. Contact Steve Dibble, 725-4584 or Sue Finchg, 725-5896.

VFW Sunset Auxiliary meets 2nd Tue.., 7 pm, Vets Memorial Bldg. Contact Emma Mendes, 725-5518.

VFW Sunset Post, meets 2nd Mon.., 7 pm, Vets Memorial Bldg., contact Jerry Greer, 725-3687.

Other Programs

Hypnotherapy - Susan Wilson, HSRC’s activities program manager. swilson@humsenior.org.

Men’s senior softball. 50 and older. professionally umpired teams . Games Thurs. nights June to Aug. 443-2529.

Open Lab for users 50+. For students intro. to computer or Email basics. Prosperity Center, 520 E St., Eureka, 476-4136.

Make Jewelry - Meets every second and fourth Wed in HSRC activity room with Mariana Krattiger.

Men's Haircuts - Bob Attaran gives haircuts on Tues. 8:30 to 10:30 in first floor men’s room, Humboldt Senior Resource Center, Eureka.