In Sonoma County, many older adults chose a quieter life among the vineyards, orchards and small towns, often far from their children. When driving gets harder, that quiet can turn into isolation. Since 2009, we've matched thousands of older adults with companions who share their interests: gardening, local history, books, music, art or a good conversation about the news.
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, and we already visit clients in Healdsburg and across the county.
Where we visit in Sonoma County
We visit people at home, in assisted living and memory care, and in board-and-care homes in Petaluma, Sonoma, Glen Ellen, Kenwood, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Sebastopol, Santa Rosa, Windsor and Healdsburg.
Whether someone lives in the house they've owned for fifty years or has just moved into a senior community, we can visit them where they live or take them out.
Sonoma outings our companions love
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The Healdsburg Plaza: a bench in the shade, a pastry and the whole town walking by.
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Charles M. Schulz Museum: a Santa Rosa favorite for anyone who grew up with the Sunday comics.
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Sonoma Plaza: the mission, the ducks in the pond and a long lunch.
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Luther Burbank Home & Gardens: a small, easy garden right in downtown Santa Rosa.
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The Petaluma River: an old-town walk along the water, with plenty of places to stop for coffee.
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The coast at Bodega Bay: a drive out for the ocean air and a bowl of chowder.
A Sonoma story
Margaret, 88, Santa Rosa. Margaret ran a nursery for thirty years and could name every rose in the county. After she moved into assisted living, she had nothing to tend, and her daughter in Seattle noticed she had stopped asking about the garden back home. We matched her with a master gardener who had just retired from teaching. Their first visit was coffee and seed catalogs in Margaret's apartment. Now they spend Wednesday afternoons at the Luther Burbank gardens, and Margaret corrects the plant labels.
This is a composite story drawn from our work. Names and details have been changed to protect privacy.
What families say
“I had tried many sources in the North Bay to provide support and companionship for my wife. Only Engage As You Age succeeded, and it has succeeded brilliantly.”
David B. / husband of a North Bay client
“From de-coding Russian poetry to cuddle time with dogs and everything in-between, I cannot recommend them enough.”
Minna F. / professional trustee
Rated 5.0 stars on Google and Yelp by more than 50 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
Which Sonoma County towns do you serve?
Petaluma to Healdsburg, including Sonoma, Glen Ellen, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Santa Rosa and Windsor.
Can a companion drive my father to outings?
Yes. Outings by car or on foot are planned around what he enjoys and how far he can comfortably go.
My mother lives in a senior community in Sonoma County. Can you visit her there?
Yes. We visit people in assisted living, memory care and board-and-care homes throughout Sonoma County, and we often take them out for a change of scene.
Will Ben meet us in person?
Yes. Ben meets every family himself, at home or over coffee.
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