Welcome

Welcome The Orange County Office on Aging serves as the lead advocate, planner and facilitator relative to all aging issues on behalf of all older persons in Orange County. Together with our partners, the Office on Aging provides a full range of older adult services which are listed throughout the website, including information and assistance on programs and services available for older adults and their caregivers.

The Office on Aging is committed to helping older adults experience the highest possible quality of life. Our pledge is to keep this site current and ever-evolving to reflect the needs of the community.

Latest News

November 2009

Seasonal Flu

Due to a delay in seasonal flu vaccination delivery, the Orange County Health Department does not have any available season flu vaccine. It is anticipated that in mid-December the Health Care Agency will have enough vaccine and will offer it at community sites and the Santa Ana 17th Street Public Health Clinic. The Office on Aging at 1-800-510-2020 will have the locations of the community sites once the information is released.

Health Care Agency Seasonal Flu webpage

H1N1 Flu

H1N1 influenza activity remains very high in the United States, California and Orange County. Eight fatalities in persons infected with pandemic H1N1 influenza were reported in Orange County for the period November 1 – November 7. Orange County has now reported a total 32 deaths and 127 ICU cases associated with pandemic H1N1 influenza since the virus was first recognized and enhanced surveillance begin in April 2009. Most of these fatalities have underlying medical conditions that place them at higher risk for severe illness and complications.

Vaccination Activity

The Health Care Agency continues to work with the California Department of Public Health to distribute vaccine in response to the 2009 H1N1 Influenza. This is in coordination with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which has arranged for the production of an estimated 195 million doses of vaccine before the end of the year.

The CDC has acknowledged that vaccine delays are more significant than anticipated. Vaccine availability across the country falls far short of the need and may not be readily available until after the peak of the season. Approximately 340,000 doses of vaccine have been shipped by the federal government to providers in Orange County thus far - less than 20% of what is needed to meet the needs of the estimated 1.6 million residents that are in the five CDC target groups.

Health Care Agency H1N1 Flu webpage

I’m so confused! Which flu shot do I get?
By: Erin Ulibarri, MPH

The emergence of a new flu strain this past Spring has many people wondering which flu vaccine they need to get. For most older adults, nothing has changed. People over 65 should still receive a seasonal flu shot just as in previous years. The new H1N1 vaccine (swine flu) will not be targeted to people over 65 years old.

Full Story

Resources

Flu.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-H1N1 information
CA Department of Public Health

Admit It. Family Caregiving Is A Job. Caregiver Health Guides Available.
By: Erin Ulibarri, MPH

Caregiving for a loved one can be challenging and exhausting, yet gratifying and rewarding.
But in order to be emotionally, physically, and mentally healthy in may be necessary to seek
out support and help from others.

In honor of National Family Caregiver Month this November, the Orange County Office on
Aging now has free Caregiver Health Guides available. These pocket-sized books allow
caregivers to record all their loved ones’ medical history and information.

Full Story