Many people assume that cities fund most older adult services. In reality, they do not.
Programs like Meals on Wheels, caregiver support, transportation assistance, home safety modifications, and senior protection usually begin with federal funding, and then flow through the State of California, who then sends it to the county level where grants are awarded to nonprofits and other service providers to run the programs.
Federal, state, and county funds never fully cover the cost of services. States and counties supplement with general funds. The nonprofits providing services run fundraisers, write grants, and solicit donations to cover the gaps. Cities typically contribute only small supplemental grants.