Learning to navigate the world during a pandemic is not easy. Between masks, vaccines, booster shots, and ever-changing openings and closings for stores, and services, it’s difficult to access support and resources like those offered through senior centers and other organizations. This post discusses pandemic resources available to seniors in-person and virtually in Newport Beach and cities within Orange County.
Age Well Senior Services
Based in Lake Forest, Age Well Senior Services connects older adults with meals on wheels and senior center lunches throughout southern Orange County. They also offer a meal home delivery service. Seniors can sign up for a lunch and dinner meal plan online. They can receive lunches and dinners that are delivered straight to their door. Age Well also has a medical transportation program that includes transportation to and from vaccine appointments and virtual resources.
Orange County Office on Aging
The Orange County Office on Aging offers multiple resources for seniors and links to other resources provided in the state. These include iPad setup set up services, online class registration, and other programs designed to assist seniors, like a fall prevention program and the Hello Neighbor Program. Neighbors can download and print a postcard to drop in the mailbox of their older neighbors. On it, they can ask if they have enough food, water, and personal hygiene items and if they need help with food or setting up meal delivery services, like through the senior nutrition program.
Council on Aging Southern California
The Southern California branch of the Council on Aging offers different activities for seniors. As of January, most of their classes are virtual and offered through Zoom. Activities to keep seniors engaged include:
- Intro to Zumba
- Brain training games
- Mindfulness meditation
- iPad/iPhonetraining
- Chats on Facebook Messenger
Resources Over the Phone
Even though many people are beginning to resume some of their pre-pandemic activities, many seniors still feel a sense of isolation and loneliness. Older adults can call the Institute on Aging Friendship line to receive non-emergent emotional support and crisis intervention if needed. The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) of Orange County also offers emotional support and resource guidance to residents of Orange County through phone, text, and chat.
If you or an older loved one needs in-home senior support services in Orange County or Newport Beach, reach out to Optimal Senior Care Solutions. We provide personal care and companion care along with other services to older adults and their families. Reach out to our dedicated care staff today!
