The Council on Aging helps residents thrive at all ages
Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Week is Oct. 1-10. The Council on Aging-Southern California (COASC) supports this movement year-round by focusing on raising awareness about the importance of good mental health throughout their lives. People of all ages benefit from some common tenets of wellness, but the specific ways that wellness and resilience are supported changes throughout the years.COASC is a trusted 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports older and disabled adults, their caregivers, and their families throughout Southern California. COASC has been a dependable source of unbiased information, specialized programs, services and resources since 1973. The agency serves over 100,000 older adults and caregivers annually.
Improving Health and Wellness
In May, COASC entered the Leisure World’s Members Resource and Assistance Liaison Collaborative Partnership designed to support the health and wellness of Leisure World residents.
Currently, COASC’s ReConnect Early Intervention Services for Older Adults (EISOA) Program has two dedicated staff members—a bilingual English/ Spanish social worker, and a bilingual English/Korean case manager—offering supportive services onsite. Services are also available in Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Japanese by request. The team brings in-home screening services (depression, anxiety, substance misuse and cognitive screenings), complex case management services, health navigation, coordination of care, outpatient therapy and caregiver/family support to the community. These social services are focused on assisting Leisure World residents navigate major life transitions, prevent problems from getting worse, and address physical, environmental, social and mental health barriers to independence and overall wellbeing. Services are available at no-cost to all Leisure World residents.
Enhancing Quality of Life
On Sept. 29, The Golden Age Foundation (GAF) presented the COASC with a $20,000 check to support the expansion of holistic services in the community. With these funds, COASC will enhance senior engagement and start offering culturally and linguistically appropriate group activities tailored to the Leisure World residents.
Reach Out Today
Good mental health and wellbeing start at home. Reach out today to the Council on Aging team at Leisure World by calling the GRF Member Resource and Assistance Liaison office and requesting services at (562) 431-6586, ext. 317.
For more information and to learn how to get involved, visit www.coasc.org/reconnect.
The ReConnect EISOA program is partially funded by the OC Health Care Agency (HCA), Mental Health and Recovery Services, Mental Health Services Act/Prop. 63.
The GAF has served the community for over 49 years as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The organization provides free services to residents. It also sponsors other nonprofit organizations, including AlzOC and COAOC.
To continue to support the community, the GAF relys on donations from individual shareholders, groups and organizations. Those who want to help support its programs via donation can send a check to: Golden Age Foundation, P.O. Box 2369, Seal Beach, California 90740. The tax ID is 23-7273105. For more information about the GAF, call (562) 431-9589. or visit the website at www. GoldenAgefdn.org – Carolina Gutierrez-Richau
