Council On Aging Orange County
PROGRAMS
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
The Council on Aging's Ombudsman Program (Long-term Care Advocate) is a federally and state-mandated program that ensures residents' rights in long-term care facilities are respected. Ombudsmen empower and protect residents of skilled nursing facilities, board and care homes, and assisted-living facilities. They seek resolution of problems and advocate for residents' rights to ensure their dignity, quality of life, and quality of care. Ombudsmen also investigate allegations of abuse and neglect within licensed long-term care facilities. They provide the security of a caring advocate, particularly when a family member is not present.
There are currently over 30,000 residents living in long-term care facilities. This number is expected to grow in the next 20 years. In turn, this will require the Ombudsman Program to grow so that we can ensure that all residents have access to an Ombudsman. Ideally, we will increase our volunteer base by about 30%. This would require that we increase the number of employees by at least 15% to manage the number of volunteers and the increased number of facilities they will cover. We are mandated to advocate for residents of long-term care facilities and to be a presence in such facilities. We will need to grow the program to meet this mandate. Our presence and advocacy is essential to the well-being of frail and isolated seniors.
HICAP
The Council on Aging’s Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) offers unbiased, individualized counseling, community outreach, and public education about Medicare and other related health insurance topics. HICAP counselors are state-registered staff and volunteers trained to answer your health insurance questions free of charge. HICAP is part of the national network of State Health Insurance and Assistance Programs. HICAP is the most dependable source of unbiased, accurate, and up-to-date Medicare-related information for Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, and Mono County residents.
Medicare beneficiaries and their families and caregivers will be able to understand their Medicare coverage and plans. Beneficiaries will also better understand how Medicare coordinates with other insurance coverage such as retiree medical, Medi-Cal, and veterans plans/programs. The best outcomes result from individuals attending education sessions and 1:1 counseling offered by HICAP.
ReConnect Early Intervention Services for Older Adults (EISOA)
The ReConnect EISOA program offers up to 12 months of free, comprehensive clinical case management services, psychiatric assessments, short-term therapy, and support group activities for Orange County residents aged 60 and above facing emotional challenges or health barriers. The program offers services in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Mandarin. It also has veterans and LGBTQ+ specialized peer services. Annually, ReConnect supports over 1,000 older adults in the comfort of their homes, linking them to 12,500 essential healthcare and community resources. Additionally, ReConnect facilitates nearly 2,000 multilingual therapeutic, educational, and social support groups for program participants throughout Orange County. To learn more and check the calendar of activities, visit coasc.org/reconnect.
• Improve the behavioral health status of Orange County older adults
• Improve the overall health and quality of life of Orange County older adults
• County-wide access to mental health services for vulnerable older adults
• Reduce health disparity while supporting health equity for diverse aging communities.
PEARLS OC – Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives for Seniors OC
PEARLS OC is a culturally and linguistically responsive depression care program focusing on skill-building and problem-solving interventions. This short-term, evidence-based program is tailored to support underserved older adults living in the community who are experiencing depression, isolation, and other chronic health issues. Services are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Farsi, and Arabic. To learn more, visit coasc.org/PEARLSOC
• Reduce depressive symptoms and loneliness experienced by Orange County older adults
• Improve the social functioning of Orange County older adults
• Enhance Orange County older adults' ability to live independently.
• Improve effective management of health and chronic conditions.
Friendly Visitor Program
The Friendly Visitor program offers a supportive social structure for frail or homebound older adults in Orange County. Through ongoing assessments, regular home visits, and telephone checkups, this no-cost program identifies clients’ unmet needs, provides friendship, and assists in securing access to appropriate health and social resources. Annually, 65 dedicated Friendly Visitor volunteers visit nearly 150 isolated older adults, providing meaningful support and advocacy in Orange County. To learn more, visit coasc.org/friendlyvisitor.
• Decrease loneliness and isolation experienced by OC older and dependent adults.
• Prevent the development and/or exacerbation of behavioral health issues and cognitive decline in OC older and dependent adults.
• County-wide reduction of costly hospitalization and/or institutionalization in long-term care facilities
CONTACT
Council On Aging Orange County
2 Executive Circle
#175
Irvine, CA 92614
Phone: 714-479-0107#268