National News

Council on Aging – Southern California Program Services in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties

The Council on Aging – Southern California (COASC) continues to provide the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program Services to residents of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

The Ombudsman Program was created in 1976 by the federal Older Americans Act and Older Californians Act. Long-term care Ombudsman advocacy has been one of the founding initiatives of COASC, having served Riverside’s neighboring county of Orange in this capacity since 1976. Under this contract COASC will advocate for the 14,256 vulnerable older adults living in 518 long-term care facilities in Riverside County.
“The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is critical to ensuring the safety and well-being of the almost 15,000 individuals residing in residential care facilities. We are confident this partnership will further strengthen the advocacy for vulnerable older adults in Riverside County. These are among the residents who need our help the most.” – Anna L. Martinez, Director of the Riverside County Office on Aging.

The Ombudsman program advocates for residents of long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, and residential care homes. Through regular visits to facilities by staff and specially trained volunteers, the program investigates and mediates complaints, monitors residents’ care and quality of life, and provides public education for clients and families.
COASC has continued to expand direct services to older adults across the region, offering a multitude of no cost programs including the Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo and Mono Counties since 2012. With the Ombudsman Program in Riverside, they have maintained an office in Hemet and greater presence in the Coachella Valley.
“We look forward to protecting the quality of care for all Riverside County long-term care residents. Our commitment to being compassionate advocates and asserting the rights of residents is our priority” said Elizabeth Anderson, Director of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program for COASC.

ABOUT COASC
The Council on Aging – Southern California has been a trusted 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization since 1973, providing unbiased information, programs and services to more than 100,000 adults and families annually. We promote the independence, health, and dignity of older adults through compassion, education and advocacy. Every day we help seniors remain healthy, connected and protected.
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