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Senior Resource Focus

Senior Resource Focus Senior Resource Focus

This is one in a series of monthly columns to familiarize LW residents with the vast array of resources available to them. Each article will focus on a topic of interest as researched by Member Resource Liaison Robann Arshat. The goal is to help residents better manage the challenges often associated with aging and to keep people at home and healthy for as long as possible. The following focuses on elder care advocates.

by Robann Arshat

member resource liaison

Elder care advocates are those who speak for, protect and support the needs of people in our senior community, providing them with the information and assistance they need to continue living the highest quality of life possible with dignity and respect.

Healthcare advocacy for seniors is extremely important, especially for those who have difficulty or fear of expressing themselves. Having an expert to advocate for the elderly accomplishes several things, including maintaining the senior’s health and well-being. Help is available in the following areas: Abuse and Neglect

Types of Abuse

• Physical

• Sexual abuse

• Abandonment

• Isolation

• Financial

• Neglect and self neglect

• Mental suffering Anyone who suspects, observes or knows that an elder is being abused is encouraged to call and report it. The reporting party is kept confidential.

Benefits to Reporting Abuse

• The elder or dependent adult will be given options to keep him/her safe from harm.

• The adult protective services (APS) worker can link the client and/or family to needed community resources.

• Unaware family members and friends can be alerted to step in to help.

• The APS worker can find ways to help the caregiver handle stress.

• In some cases, the abuse perpetrator can be prosecuted, lessening the harm to others.

• The individual making the report feels relief that a professional is assessing the situation.

Get Help Here

• Adult Protective Services of Orange County, (800) 451-5155 (24-hour hotline), www. ssa.ocgov.com/elder.

• Ageless Alliance, (949) 370-3262 or (844) 992-4353,

www.agelessalliance.org.

• Council on Aging, Southern California Senior Protection Program, (714) 479-0107, www. coasc.org.

• Orange County Task Force on Hoarding, Advocacy and

Education, (657) 234-3374, www.ochoardingtaskforce.org.

• Human Options-Safe Opinion for Seniors (SOS) Program 1, (877) 854-3594 (24-hour hotline), https://humanoptions. org/services/?v=sdtab- safe-options-for-seniors.

• Human Options Newport- Mesa Family Resources, (949) 764-8100, Ruby Nunez, https:// humanoptions. org/ services/?v=sd-tab-safe-optionsfor- seniors.

Case Management Resources and Programs The following advocates offer and help coordinate a diverse range of services to help ensure people find the support they need. These experts can help residents find resources and guidance navigating a variety of problems.

• Access California Services, (714) 917-0440, www.accesscal. org

Advocates have proficiency in over 16 languages and provide the following services: case management and client advocacy, mental health services, health coverage access, emergency financial assistance, immigration and citizenship assistance, translation and interpretation, English as a second language classes, and self-help classes.

• Aging Care—Care Guides and Forums of Questions and Answers on Senior Care, www. agingcare.com (online only)

•California Department of Aging, (800) 510-2020, www. aging.ca.gov

Administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the state. These programs are funded through the federal Older Americans Act, the Older Californians Act, as well as the Medi-Cal program.

California Registry—Free referral information for Seniors and their families, (800) 777-7575, www.calregistry.com

Call 211 for Essential Community Services/United Way, 211, www.211.org Free, confidential service is available 24-7 by calling 2-1-1. Services include help with housing expenses, healthcare expenses, paying bills, mental health, utilities expenses, as well as food and substance use counseling.

• Council on Aging OC, (714) 479-0107, Seal Beach: (562) 472-0275, www.coasc.org Services are offered at no cost, including Friendly Visitor Program, Reconnect Program, HICAP Medicare Counseling, Senior Protection and Financial Abuse Specialist Team, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Smile-Makers Holiday Gift Project, and volunteer opportunities.

Also offered for a fee is Concierge Care Navigators, a case management program with a gerontologist. Call for a 30-minute, free consultation at (714) 619-2129.

• Friendship Line California, (no charge), (888) 670-1360

Friendly people are ready to chat about anything. This service is for people who would benefit from some social interaction.

• Office on Aging Orange County, (714) 480-6450, www. officeonaging.ocgov.com

Orange County’s Office on Aging offers a specific focus on low-income ethnic minorities and is responsible for understanding the needs of Orange County’s older adults and utilizing the federal funding and programs available to meet those requirements.

Office On Aging Veterans Service, (714) 480-6555, www. veterans.ocgov.com

This group assists veterans and dependents/survivors in preparing, presenting and pursuing benefits they may be entitled to receive from the U.S.

FOCUS, page 4 Department of Veterans Affairs.

Pathways, (562) 531-3031, www.pathwayshospice.org

Pathways helps people connect with a variety of supportive care such as caregiving, Friendly Visitor, grief and loss support, hospice, and Meals on Wheels.

SCAN— Independence at Home Community Service Coach Program, SCAN members: (866) 421-1964; non-members, (562) 637-7116, www.IndependenceAtHome.org

Independence at Home (IAH), a SCAN community service, provides no-cost programs, support and resource referrals for older adults and caregivers.

Serve the People Community Health Center, (714) 352- 2911, www. serve- thepeople. com

Medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, food and legal aid are available; contact the community health center at (949) 270-2100, www.shareourselves. org

Social Services Agency— Orange County, (714) 435-5800, www.ssa.ocgov.com Help for seniors and people with disabilities

Patients’ Rights Advocacy Services, (714) 834-5647 or 1(800) 668-4240 Advocates investigate and respond to grievances and complaints about inpatient and outpatient mental health services. They also provide other advocacy and mediation services to patients involving outpatient providers.

Senior Health Outreach & PreventionProgram(SHOPP), 1(855) 625-4657 (24-hour hotline), www.ochealthinfo.com

Behavioral health clinicians provide field-based engagement services, crisis intervention, assessment, referral and linkage to resources for older adults ages 60 and above who are experiencing a functional impairment related to a mental health issue. SHOPP also provides psychoeducation to families, caregivers, and brief counseling to clients, families and caregivers. The program is a collaborative effort with Public Health SHOPP.

Leisure World residents are welcome to visit the brochure display in Building 5 for more information.

To book an appointment to learn more about these services, call Robann Arshat at (562) 431-6586, ext. 317.

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