Council on Aging - Southern California   

Since 1973, the Council on Aging—Southern California ("COASC") has provided specialized programs designed for older and disabled adults, their caregivers, and their families. COASC is a dependable source of unbiased information about programs, services, and resources for older and dependent adults. 1. Aging My Way – Helping adults plan to stay healthy, connected, and protected in retirement. 2. Answers Guide - A 96-page resource guide with information on healthcare, caregiving, housing, finance, and legal. Available in print and online, Answers is distributed to over 40,000 readers, providing information about the Council’s programs and services, and other local resources. 3. Senior Protection Program - Provides educational seminars on abuse targeting older adults and adults with disabilities. Over 65% of elder financial abuse cases are committed by family, friends or other trusted individuals, but only 1 in 24 cases are ever reported. SPP helps you recognize the red flags of a scam and provides resources and warm referrals to assist in protection and recovery. 4. Friendly Visitor— Offers a supportive social network of trained volunteers to isolated, homebound older, and dependent adults who lack an adequate support system. Two thousand hours are dedicated annually to support older adults in need through this program. 5. Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) - Offered in Orange County and the Inland Empire, provides unbiased, individualized counseling and group seminars to help Medicare recipients maximize benefits, understand health plan choices, and resolve denial of benefits. HICAP saved seniors more than $3.1 million in health insurance premiums and drug costs in 2018/19. 6. Long-Term Care Ombudsman - Advocates for the rights and dignity of Orange County's older and disabled adults living in skilled nursing and residential care facilities. In 2023, we served 43,000 residents in approximately 1,600 nursing and assisted living homes. 7. ReConnect Program: Offers free clinical case management, care coordination, short-term therapy, and community engagement services specifically tailored to Orange County’s older adult residents. The program provides over 10,500 early intervention services and connects participants with over 12,250 community resources annually. 8. Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS OC) - Educates older adults about depression and helps them develop the skills they need for self-sufficiency and more active lives. This evidence-based program has demonstrated nationwide effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms, increasing quality of life, and advancing health equity in aging. 9. SmileMakers—Every year, SmileMakers provides holiday gifts to older and disabled adults in skilled nursing and residential care facilities. Since 1987, SmileMakers has coordinated with our Ombudsmen to provide individually wrapped gifts to thousands of long-term care residents who would otherwise be forgotten.