Council on Aging - Southern California

10/21/2026

Every Voice Deserves a Seat at the Table.

October is Residents' Rights Month! This year's theme, Join Us at the Table, reminds us that every person living in long-term care deserves dignity, respect, independence, and the freedom to make choices about their daily life.

At Council on Aging – Southern California, our Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs advocate for residents' rights throughout Orange and Riverside counties.

Learn how we help protect residents' voices:

Orange County: https://www.coasc.org/ocltcop

Riverside County: https://www.coasc.org/rcltcop

10/19/2026

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

California General Election | November 3, 2026

Living in a long-term care community does not take away a resident's right to vote. Residents have the right to vote privately, receive assistance from someone they choose, and make their own voting decisions without interference.

Family members and caregivers can help residents access election information, understand voting options, and request assistance while respecting each resident's independence, privacy, and personal choices.

Important Election Information:

Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Voter Registration: Recently moved into a long-term care facility? You may need to update your voter registration or mailing address at https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

Voting Information: Learn about voting options, deadlines, and accessibility resources through the California Secretary of State at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections.

Questions About Residents' Voting Rights?

Your local Long-Term Care Ombudsman can provide information about residents' rights and help address concerns about interference with voting.

Visit https://www.coasc.org/ombudsman.

Every resident has a right to be heard. Protecting that right is everyone's responsibility.

10/16/2026

Medicare Open Enrollment has started!

Your Medicare plan may be changing for 2027. Now is the time to review your coverage, compare costs, and make sure your doctors and prescriptions are covered.

Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) offers FREE, unbiased, one-on-one Medicare counseling to help you understand your options and make informed decisions.

📅 Open Enrollment: October 15 – December 7
📍 Find a HICAP clinic near you:
• Orange County: coasc.org/hicapaep
• Riverside County: coasc.org/hicapaeprc
• San Bernardino County: coasc.org/hicapaepsbc

Medicare Plans Change. HICAP is Here to Help.

10/14/2026

📖 The New 2026–2027 ANSWERS Magazine Is Here!

Your Guide to Living Well, Aging Confidently.

Discover trusted information, inspiring insights, and valuable resources in the newest edition of ANSWERS, Council on Aging – Southern California's complimentary annual magazine for older adults, families, and caregivers.

From healthy aging and Medicare to caregiving, financial security, housing, and community connections, ANSWERS provides practical guidance to help you make informed decisions and embrace life's next chapter with confidence.

✨ Explore the new digital edition today!

📖 Read ANSWERS Online: coasc.org/answers

Complimentary print copies are also available at participating senior centers, libraries, and Council on Aging offices.

10/12/2026

🎁 Adopt an Angel Tag. Give a Gift. Make the Holidays Brighter.

This holiday season, your company, volunteer group, community organization—or you as an individual—can help bring joy to older and disabled adults living in long-term care communities across Orange and Riverside counties.

Each SmileMakers Angel Tag represents a specific resident and includes their name and personal holiday gift request. Simply adopt a tag, purchase the requested gift, and help make that resident’s holiday a little brighter.

Through COASC’s SmileMakers Holiday Gift Project, more than 6,000 personalized gifts are collected, wrapped, and delivered each holiday season.

❤️ Adopt one Angel Tag—or many
🎁 Shop for a resident’s requested gift
🤝 Make it a company, team, or group service project
✨ Help residents feel remembered, valued, and celebrated

Whether you adopt one resident or rally your entire organization, every Angel Tag makes a personal difference.

Make SmileMakers part of your holiday tradition. Adopt an Angel Tag today!

Because no senior should be forgotten. Through the SmileMakers Pr...

10/10/2026

Aging is a journey we all share, but no two experiences are the same. 💙

Today, on , Council on Aging – Southern California (COASC) joins the American Society on Aging in raising awareness about ageism and its impact on individuals, families, and communities.

Ageism happens when assumptions, stereotypes, or discrimination based on age influence how people are treated, valued, or included. It can affect access to healthcare, employment, social connections, and opportunities to live independently.

Age does not define a person's abilities, contributions, or worth.

At COASC, we believe every older adult deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. Through advocacy, education, protection, and community support, we work to ensure older adults remain empowered, connected, and valued at every stage of life.

Together, we can challenge age-related stereotypes, celebrate the contributions of older adults, and build communities where people of all ages can thrive.

💬 Let's start the conversation! How can we challenge ageism in our everyday lives?

Learn more: https://asaging.org/ageism-awareness

10/05/2026

Join the Orange County Veterans and Military Families Collaborative (OCVMFC) General Meeting for a timely conversation on the impact and outcomes of the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and the California Veterans Health Initiative (CVHI).

The program will bring together leaders from OC Health Care Agency, CalVet, Child Guidance Center, U.S.VETS, Veterans Legal Institute, and a U.S. Army veteran sharing lived experience.

📅 Thursday, October 8, 2026
⏰ 9:30–11:30 AM
📍 Coastline College – Garden Grove Campus
12901 Euclid Street, Garden Grove, CA 92840

We’re grateful to collaborate with organizations working to strengthen behavioral health resources, services, and support for veterans and their families throughout our community.

🔗 For Quick Registration
Click this link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ocvmfc-general-meeting-bhsa-and-the-ca-veterans-health-initiative-tickets-1998004733944?aff=OCVMFCemail

10/04/2026

✨ Thank You for an Incredible Evening! ✨

What a night! Thank you to everyone who joined us last night for An Evening of Comedy in support of the Council on Aging – Southern California.

We’re incredibly grateful to our hilarious comedians Don McMillan, Fritz Coleman and Frances Dilorinzo for filling the room with laughter—and to our generous sponsors, donors, patrons, attendees, volunteers and supporters who made the evening possible.

💛 A very special thank you to our 2026 Impact Award honorees—the dedicated core group of SmileMakers volunteers who helped start the program and have continued to bring joy, comfort and connection to thousands of older adults living in long-term care. Your compassion and commitment embody the spirit of the Council on Aging and the impact one group of caring people can have on an entire community.

And that’s what this evening is truly about. Every ticket purchased, sponsorship and donation helps the Council on Aging – Southern California provide vital programs, trusted guidance, advocacy and connection for older and disabled adults throughout our community.

Thank you for laughing with us, celebrating our SmileMakers Program and supporting our mission. Together, we’re helping older and disabled adults live with greater dignity, independence and connection.

👏 We couldn’t do this work without you.

10/02/2026

🎤 The comedians are ready. Are you?

We're just days away from An Evening of Comedy with headliner Don McMillan and co-hosts Fritz Coleman and Frances Dilorinzo!

Join Council on Aging – Southern California for an unforgettable evening of laughter, dinner, community and giving back.

📅 Saturday, October 3
🕠 5:30–9:30 PM
📍 Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel
Don't miss your chance to laugh for a cause.

🎟️ Get your tickets now at coasc.org/eoc

10/01/2026

The 2027 Medicare & You handbook is now available online!

Medicare changes each year, and staying informed can help you make the most of your coverage. The new handbook includes important updates for 2027, including:

✅ Continued telehealth flexibilities
✅ New Medicare.gov login options for added security
✅ Medicare-connected health apps
✅ Expanded access to certain GLP-1 medications for eligible beneficiaries
✅ Enhanced Medicare fraud prevention efforts
✅ New investments to improve access to care in rural communities

Have questions about what Medicare changes mean for you? Council on Aging – Southern California’s Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) provides free, unbiased, individualized Medicare counseling to help you understand your options.

📖 View the 2027 Medicare & You handbook at https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-and-you

The official U.S. government website for Medicare, a health insurance program for people age 65 or older and younger people with disabilities.