Office renovation for on-site social services under way

MEMBER RESOURCES

The GRF Physical Property Department has begun renovating the office in Building 5 that will soon house a new on-site collaboration team of social services, according to Member Resources and Assistance Liaison Robann Arshat.

“We are looking to open up in the later part of January,” she said. “In the meantime, we are working diligently to help all our shareholder residents with any resource need that arises. The most important aspect of this liaison position is to connect people with viable resources.”

Among the many groups that will be based in LW to offer assistance is the Council on Aging—Southern California.

This nonprofit organization was founded in 1973 by Lois Ellis, Shirley Cohen and Ann Sousa. They, along with local civic leaders and skilled professionals, recognized a need to advocate and protect older adults. From that humble beginning came an extensive array of programs, most of which will soon be available in LW.

The Council on Aging will help with a variety of programs at no cost. They include:

• Friendly Visitor Program: Trained volunteers will visit by telephone or in person with isolated, older and/or disabled adults.

• Reconnect: This program helps seniors with mental, emotional and other health barriers that aging can bring.

• Senior Protection and Financial Abuse Specialist Team: The service helps seniors recognize and guard against financial abuse, scams and fraud.

• Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy (HICAP): Volunteer experts help Medicare beneficiaries understand their benefits so they can choose the best options. HICAP can also provide advocacy when a senior’s health care benefits and rights are threatened or denied.

• The Concierge Care Navigators program is the newest program offered by the Council on Aging. Led by a registered nurse and gerontologist team, it creates a personalized care plan of medical and non-medical goals that is accessible online to all family members who want to be involved with their loved one’s care. The three concierge care plans, which are provided for a fee, focus on wellness, crisis prevention and keeping seniors safe at home for as long as possible.

All of these programs from the Council on Aging offer supportive social structure from trained volunteers who can identify clients’ unmet needs and provide ongoing assistance.

The Council’s mission is “promoting the independence, health and dignity of older adults through compassion, education and advocacy.” This trusted organization provides unbiased information, programs and services to all of Orange County.