Frequently Asked Questions


How does Senior Center Without Walls work?
All of the activities take place on the telephone with participants calling in from their own homes. When folks register with us, we give them a special toll-free number to call at the times that their chosen groups are scheduled. A recorded voice will prompt them to enter a code number, and they punch in the two-digit code which we also provide. This connects them to the group conference call, which allows them to talk to each other, much like the old party lines.

Who can participate?
SCWW is available to adults aged 50 and over in Northern California who have difficulty getting out to community activities. Difficulties may include disability, illness, transportation challenges, caregiving responsibilities, and other hindrances.

Do I need special phone equipment in order to call in to the groups?
 No special equipment is needed. Except for the old rotary dial phones, any telephone will work.

How can I register for activities?
 Call us toll-free at 1-877-797-7299 and we will sign you up.

How much does it cost?
There is no fee for this program if you are using a regular land line telephone, and there will be no charges on your phone bill. It is completely free. If you plan to use a cell phone, check with your provider about possible charges.

Is there a deadline for registering?
 There is no deadline. You can sign up at any time, though some of the groups do fill up quickly.

Can I drop or add a group after the session starts?
 Yes. Most of our groups can be added at any time during the session. If you decide not to continue with a particular group, you can call to let us know.

What happens if I just don't call in?
 If you have decided to drop a group, we prefer that you contact us so that we know there is room to register others for that group. If you need to miss a group because of an appointment or some other reason, it is not necessary to let us know ahead of time.

I might forget that I have an activity on a certain day. Can you help me?
 Yes. We have volunteers who make friendly reminder calls to participants who want to be called on the days they have activities scheduled.

How long are the activity groups?
Most groups are half an hour long. Others might be forty-five minutes or an hour long.

How long are the sessions?
 SCWW sessions run for 12 weeks. We have three per year with 5 or 6 weeks between sessions. During the break times between sessions, we still have a few groups continuing as well as twice-daily phone meetings of the Gratitude groups which welcome all participants.

What's a Gratitude group?
Gratitude groups are twice-daily opportunities to drop in by phone and say what you are grateful for. They are glass half-full, counting our blessings, blues-busting, peer-facilitated sessions that help put a positive spin on our days and our lives.

How many people are on each conference call?
 Usually there are between 5 and 10 people on the call, but some groups are smaller and a few might be larger. For the special events like parties and health presentations, there may be 15 or more participants.

What if everyone tries to talk at the same time?
There is always a facilitator or group leader on the call who will manage the discussion. The facilitator will ask who is on the line and make sure that everyone who wants to gets a chance to talk.

Can I listen in without joining a discussion?
If you have registered for a class, it's fine to just listen as long as you let the group know that you are present on the call. It is not comfortable for others if there are anonymous listeners.

What about confidentiality?
To conduct our classes and groups, SCWW uses a telephone conference format, which should be considered a public format. Only first names are used on the calls, and participants are often reminded that any personal information exchanged should remain confidential. Although we do our utmost to secure privacy and confidentiality for each participant, we cannot guarantee it.

My mother is severely depressed and cannot leave her home for therapy. Do you think a telephone support group would help her?
We have a number of support groups which are meant to offer support in a safe, nurturing environment. However, they are not intended to replace individual psychotherapy sessions. We suggest you help your mother consult her doctor about appropriate treatment. We would welcome your mother as a participant in SCWW and hope she would find stimulation and enjoyment in socializing with others.

I have a visual impairment. Will I still be able to participate in the program?
Yes. You will just need to be able to punch in the numbers on your phone. Free adapted phones are available from the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) to assist people with vision, hearing, speech, and mobility difficulties. You can call them at 1-800-806-1191 for more information.

I have some difficulty with hearing. Will this be a problem?
Many people with hearing limitations do participate in Senior Center Without Walls telephone activities using special phones which amplify sound. Call the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) at 1-800-806-1191 to ask if one of their free amplified phones will work for you.

Are you looking for volunteers?
Yes, we welcome calls from potential volunteers. All of our groups are facilitated by volunteers. Other volunteers help by making friendly reminder calls to participants on the days they have activities scheduled.

Do you accept donations?
 Yes! All donations are gratefully accepted. Senior Center Without Walls operates under the 501(c)(3) non-profit status of Episcopal Senior Communities, and all donations to the program are tax deductible. Checks can be made out to Senior Center Without Walls and mailed to us at 114 Montecito Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610. Thanks for asking!