What services can or should a man (83) apply for?

My experience with my parents care and their eldercare attorney is that he should apply for anything and everything he MIGHT be entitled to, now or in the future. His eyesight problem, and inability to drive, would entitled him to help with home care. IF he is a veteran who served in a war, he would be entitled to Aid and Attendance for the rest of his life, because his eye sight problem, and perhaps other health care issues, would have him declared disabled. Some aide, like Medicaid, he might be turned down for now....but the date of application starts the ball rolling....and if he lives longer and develops other health issues, or runs out of more monetary resources, then Medicaid would kick in..... And, yes...start with the local dept of aging to look at options locally. If there is money to consult with an elder care attorney, that person would provide excellent advice and a plan of action. Also, if he still of sound mind, he should consider getting POAs set up and all his advanced directives arranged now, to avoid problems later on with who and how will family or other people be allowed to assist him as he is unable to make decisions, to assure that HIS wishes are followed.

In our area, the VA will provide transportation from a local VA office to the VA hospital in Ann Arbor. Check with the VA hospital at which he gets his medical service to see if similar transportation is available.

Check out the links in this post: What Type of Transportation is Available,
https://www.agingcare.com/questions/What-type-of-transportation-is-available-192135.htm for ideas on local transportation.

Check with the senior center in his local city/township and ask about chore services that might help him, including things like house and yard up keep. Ask as well about Meals on Wheels, which can deliver meals 5 days a week and sometimes extras for the weekends.

Hot Rod, If you do a computer search for Sonoma County senior services there are many results. Start to call and make an appointment. I am sure your friend would be very grateful if you accompanied him (and drove him) to the appointments. There is a great deal of help available but you have to make the first move. I am surprised that his HUD contact doesn't make some suggestions, perhaps he never inquired. Good luck.