Council on Aging - Southern California

💜 June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Month.

Elder abuse can take many forms, including financial exploitation, neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and scams targeting older adults.

The first step in prevention is recognizing the warning signs and knowing where to turn for help.

Together, we can create safer communities where older adults are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.

📞 Senior Protection Program: coasc.org/spp
📞 Long-Term Care Ombudsman: coasc.org/ombudsman

Access to nutritious food is essential for health, independence, and well-being—especially for older adults and individuals living on limited incomes.

Recent changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may affect millions of Americans who rely on food assistance to help meet their daily needs. As eligibility requirements and funding levels evolve, it is important for individuals, caregivers, and community organizations to stay informed about available benefits and potential impacts.

Food security remains a critical issue in communities across the country. Access to healthy, affordable food helps support better health outcomes, reduces financial strain, and enables older adults to age with dignity.

Learn more about these changes and how they may affect vulnerable populations.

New SNAP work rules are in effect. What you should know The new work requirements were first introduced in 2025 under President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill." Here's what to know.

🎉 We’re honored to share that the Council on Aging – Southern California’s Senior Protection Program (SPP) has been selected as a 2026 Impact Giving grant recipient - and received the largest grant award of the evening: $50,000! 💙

At Impact Giving’s 17th Annual Awards Dinner, a record-breaking $181,000 was awarded to six nonprofit organizations making a difference in our communities.

This generous investment will help the Senior Protection Program continue to educate and empower older adults, caregivers, and families to recognize scams, prevent fraud, and protect themselves from financial exploitation.

We are deeply grateful to the members of Impact Giving for believing in our mission and helping us keep older adults healthy, connected, and protected.

👏 Congratulations to all of this year’s grant recipients and thank you for strengthening our community through philanthropy and collective impact.

💰 The cost of everyday essentials continues to put financial pressure on millions of Americans.

New research from the Brookings Institution found that in 2024, nearly 46% of U.S. households did not earn enough income to cover basic necessities such as housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and childcare.

For many older adults living on fixed incomes, rising costs can make it even more challenging to maintain financial security and independence.

If you or a loved one needs help accessing benefits, Medicare savings programs, or community resources, support is available. Learn more at coasc.org.

This is how close American households are to the financial edge A new report shows that nearly half of U.S. households did not earn enough to cover their necessities in 2024.

Good mental health days vary from person to person, and honoring that individuality is essential ✨.
Supporting loved ones on their mental health journey is just as important. Offering compassion, listening without judgment, and staying connected can help someone feel seen and valued💚.

Connection also strengthens resilience. Strong relationships help us cope with life changes, loss, and health challenges, reminding us that we are stronger together, at any age. Our Behavioral Health & Wellness programs reflect this every day—through groups, outings, and shared experiences that foster meaningful connection and community.

Learn more about how you can support the people in your life, explore available mental health resources and toolkits: www.coasc.org , https://mhanational.org/mental-health-month/, https://www.samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/mental-health-awareness-month.

Your Vote, Your Voice: Voting Rights in Long-Term Care

Living in a long-term care (LTC) community does not take away the right to vote. Whether you are a resident or supporting someone in care, every eligible voter has the right to be heard in every election.

Caregivers, family members, and trusted individuals can play an important role in helping residents understand their options and access the support they need—while always respecting the resident’s choices and privacy.

Upcoming California Elections:
• June 2, 2026 (Primary Election)
• November 3, 2026 (General Election)

Recently moved into a facility? You may need to update your voter registration:
registertovote.ca.gov

For additional information, visit the California Secretary of State:
sos.ca.gov/elections

For support or to report concerns, contact your local Long-Term Care Ombudsman:
coasc.org/ombudsman

Every voice matters. Help ensure it is heard.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Remarkable Lives Speaker Series featuring Rita Moreno. 💛

From the inspiring conversation to the meaningful connections shared throughout the evening, your presence helped make this event truly special. Thank you to our guests, sponsors, supporters, volunteers, and community partners for celebrating a remarkable life defined by resilience, creativity, and purpose. 🎭🌟

A special thank you to Stephen Galloway for guiding such an engaging and thoughtful conversation. 🎤

Together, we continue to support the mission of the Council on Aging – Southern California to help older adults remain healthy, connected, and protected.

This Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We also recognize the many older adults in our community whose courage, resilience, and dedication helped shape the freedoms we enjoy today.

At the Council on Aging – Southern California, we are grateful for the veterans, military families, and generations of older adults who continue to inspire us through their strength and service.

As we gather with family and friends this holiday weekend, let us take a moment to remember, reflect, and give thanks. ❤️🤍💙

⚠️ Orange County Safety Update ⚠️

The Orange County Fire Authority has released a map identifying areas that could be most impacted if the malfunctioning chemical storage tank in Garden Grove were to result in an explosion or fire emergency.

Older adults, caregivers, and families in surrounding communities are encouraged to stay informed, monitor official emergency updates, and be prepared if conditions change.

Please follow the Orange County Fire Authority and local emergency officials for the latest safety information and evacuation guidance.

Map: Potential Garden Grove tank explosion blast zone shows where homes, businesses could be damaged The exact nature of the damage, and what contingencies are in place to deal with it, have not been made clear.

⚠️ Emergency Alert for Orange County Residents ⚠️

A State of Emergency has been declared for Orange County due to the hazardous situation in Garden Grove.

Your safety is the top priority. If you are in an evacuation area and have not yet evacuated, please leave immediately.

If you need assistance evacuating or information about emergency shelter locations, call (714) 628-7085.

We encourage older adults, caregivers, neighbors, and families to check in on one another during this time.

For official updates and emergency information, please follow the Orange County Fire Authority and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

📲 Sign up for emergency alerts:
https://www.readyoc.com/text-alerts