Council On Aging Orange County

The Council on Aging-Southern California promotes the independence, health, and dignity of older adults through compassion, education, and advocacy.

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.

For over 50 years, the Council on Aging - Southern California has been a vital resource for aging adults and their caregivers across Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, and Mono counties. With the support of over 300 volunteers and 100 staff, we serve more than 100,000 older adults annually, helping them live with dignity and independence. Our mission remains steadfast: to be a trusted advocate and essential support system for Southern California's aging community.

As Southern California’s aging population grows, the demand for our services intensifies. The Council on Aging - Southern California relies on the generosity of government grants, which make up 77% of our funding, and 23% from community support. Through our 8 programs, we support disabled adults, older veterans, multi-ethnic aging adults, and others with limited resources. To continue this vital work, we need ongoing support to meet the increasing needs of over 100,000 older adults and their caregivers each year. A critical need that we have for FY25 is to update and expand our technical and IT capabilities. We need at least $600k to purchase 100 laptops and supporting hardware and software for staff and volunteer use. Addressing this need will ensure we continue to offer essential services and support to our community’s seniors.

We provide unbiased information, programs, and services to more than 100,000 seniors and disabled adults annually across Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, and Mono counties.

As CEO of the Council on Aging, I am thrilled to share the latest developments in our ongoing efforts to support and empower older adults in our community. Over the past year, we've expanded our services and deepened our commitment to addressing the unique challenges and opportunities older adults face. From increased access to health and wellness programs to enhanced community outreach, our team has been working tirelessly to ensure the 100,000 older adults we serve annually have the resources and support they need to thrive.
Our newest program, Aging My Way, was developed to help older adults create their own plans for aging and retirement. It is designed to help older adults transform their thoughts about their future and redefine retirement, making it the experience they have planned. It also encourages older adults to share the plan with family members and loved ones who may become involved as care team members.
Looking ahead, we are more committed than ever to making a positive impact on the lives of older adults. Our work at the Council on Aging is vital, and I am proud to lead an organization that is making a real impact. With the support of our dedicated staff, volunteers, and community partners, we will continue to innovate and expand our programs, ensuring that every older adult in our community can remain healthy, connected, and protected.

I am honored to step into this new role as Board Chair, working alongside a dedicated team committed to helping our OC Seniors remain Healthy, Connected and Protected, especially those who may not enjoy the warmth and support of family and friends. Serving more than 100,000 seniors annually, and with our aging OC demographic, there is much we can do -- both providing practical services and support to our seniors, but also helping them enjoy their later years as an adventure and a positive experience.

With the challenges older adults are facing today, including social isolation, health concerns, financial insecurity and much more, our sleeves remain collectively rolled-up to ensure every senior in our community has access to the resources, care, and companionship they need. I am committed to strengthening our programs and expanding our reach and excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. . . and deeply grateful for this opportunity.