In Oakland and Berkeley, many of the people we visit spent their lives teaching, organizing, making art or arguing about ideas. Memory loss, a fall or a move to assisted living shouldn't be the end of all that. Since 2009, we've matched thousands of older adults with companions who share their interests: politics, jazz, science, literature, gardening or the Warriors.
We provide companionship, not home care. Our Activity Specialists don't help with bathing, dressing or medications. Many of our clients already have a caregiver at home, and we add the conversation and outings that caregivers rarely have time for. Ben Lewis, our founder, meets every family himself.
Where we visit in Alameda County
We visit people at home, in assisted living and memory care, and in board-and-care homes in Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont, Alameda, Albany, Emeryville, San Leandro and Castro Valley.
Whether someone lives in the Oakland hills, near Lake Merritt or in a senior community in Berkeley, we can visit them where they live or take them out.
East Bay outings our companions love
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Lake Merritt: a walk around the lake, with a stop at the Gardens at Lake Merritt.
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Oakland Museum of California: art, history and natural science under one roof, with plenty of places to sit.
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UC Botanical Garden: plants from around the world, tucked into Strawberry Canyon above the Berkeley campus.
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Berkeley Rose Garden: terraces of roses with a view across the bay to the Golden Gate.
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Tilden Regional Park: the botanic garden, Lake Anza and easy trails in the hills.
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The neighborhood café: on College Avenue, Piedmont Avenue or Solano Avenue, sometimes the best outing is their usual order and a good conversation.
An East Bay story
Harold, 88, Berkeley. Harold taught chemistry for thirty years and still read journals every morning. After a stroke, he moved into assisted living and stopped going to the lunches with his old colleagues. His daughter in Chicago called because he had started saying there was no one left to talk to. We matched him with a doctoral student in chemistry. They read articles together, walk to the Rose Garden when the weather is good, and before every exam Harold quizzes him.
This is a composite story drawn from our work. Names and details have been changed to protect privacy.
What East Bay families say
“Engage As You Age has filled a need, a very critical one, that no other organization comes close to addressing. Connection! Mom is happier, keener, healthier and has a more positive outlook on life.”
Laura D., Oakland
“Ben found someone who would be able to really connect with Mom… Our whole family talks about her as if she were part of the family.”
Laura F., Oakland
Rated 5.0 stars on Google by 29 families and professionals.
How it works
It starts with a free call with Ben, our founder. He then visits for an in-home assessment to learn the person's story, humor and interests, chooses an Activity Specialist, and makes the first introduction himself. Visits are usually once or twice a week, for two hours or more.
A note after every visit
After each visit you get a short note about what they did, what they talked about and how the person seemed. Any change in mood, health or safety is reported the same day. For families who live farther away, these notes are often how they stay close.
Who our Activity Specialists are
Educators, graduate students, artists, musicians and retired professionals. Each one is interviewed in person by Ben, reference-checked and background-checked. They are employees of Engage As You Age, insured, bonded and trained by our staff.
Common Questions
Do you visit in Oakland and Berkeley?
Yes. We visit across Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont, Alameda, Albany, Emeryville, San Leandro and Castro Valley, and there are no travel fees.
Can a companion take my mother out by car or BART?
Yes. Outings by car, BART, bus or on foot are planned around what she enjoys and how far she can comfortably go.
My father lives in assisted living in the East Bay. Can you visit him there?
Yes. We visit people in assisted living, memory care and board-and-care homes throughout Alameda County, and we often take them out for a change of scene.
We live out of the area. How will we know how visits are going?
You'll get a short note after every visit, and Ben is your single point of contact. Many of our East Bay families live elsewhere.
Is this home care?
No. Our Activity Specialists don't help with bathing, dressing or medications. They focus on conversation, activities and getting out into the world, alongside any care already in place.
What People Say About Us
“Ben and his team are masters in connecting a senior with a companion who shares their interests and values. I have seen magic connections for many of the people in my care who have brought Ben and his team in for support. Can’t recommend their services strongly enough!”
Dr. Catherine Madison / Neurologist, San Francisco
“As her trustee and POA, I’ve been overseeing her housing and care in a memory care community … Ben has been able to match my friend with the perfect companions, and has been wonderful in communicating any observations or concerns, or just fun adventures, often with photos.”
Doug M. / Trustee