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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
January 2010
How Clean Is the Air in Your Home?
Free Radon Test Kits Offered
By: Erin Ulibarri, MPH
You may not think about it, but indoor air can be swirling with multiple chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, and harmful gases. These particles can be in the dust, dirt on the floor, or released from new carpet or furniture.
To protect yourself and your loved ones from potential harmful health effects, there are several things you can do to make your home air cleaner, safer, and free from harmful chemicals.
1. Test for lead and radon. Homes older than 1978 are more likely to contain lead-based paint that can flake off and be inhaled or ingested.
2. Avoid using household cleaners that contain ammonia or chlorine. Instead, switch to vinegar, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide.
3. Dust and vacuum frequently. This keeps the number of harmful particles hanging out on furniture to a minimum. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
4. Avoid using chemical pesticides in the yard that can be tracked in on the bottom of shoes. Have anyone entering your home remove their shoes at the door.
(www.webmd.com)
Research has found that certain plants remove harmful gases (benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene have been the most tested) from indoor air. Each of these gases can cause irritation and cancer when in high enough amounts. The Areca Palm, Rubber Plant, Dracaena (Janet Craig), Snake Plant, and Money Plant have been shown to be particularly good at removing toxins and cleaning the air (NASA Office of Commercial Programs study; researcher Kamal Meattle).
Radon is an invisible, odorless, naturally occurring gas that seeps up for the soil and gets trapped in the home. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer (after tobacco), causing an estimated 25,000 deaths each year. Orange County is an area of low radon potential, but individual houses can still be affected by radon gas. Of the Orange County residences that have tested for radon, approximately 5% were above the safe level for radon.
The Orange County Office on Aging has free radon test kits available. Call 1-800-510-2020 or 1-714-567-7500 will have one mailed to you. There are no laboratory fees associated with these kits. Only a limited number of kits are available, so call now.
Seasonal Flu
Free seasonal flu shots are available to those in the high priority groups.
Flu clinic schedule (no appointment needed):
Monday through Friday
9:00am-11:45am and 1:00pm-4:30pm
Closed on legal holidays January 18th, February 12 and February 15, 2010
Clinic location:
County of Orange Health Care Agency
1725 W. 17th Street, Room 101J
Santa Ana, CA 92706 - Map
Parking is free
Health Care Agency Seasonal Flu webpage
H1N1 Flu
Vaccine Availability
The Health Care Agency’s 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine clinic is open to all Orange County residents interested in being vaccinated who do not have access to H1N1 vaccine through their medical providers. Reminder, children aged 6 months through 9 years need two doses of H1N1 flu vaccine at least 28 days apart. Flu vaccinations are free and no appointment is needed.
Flu clinic schedule (walk-in, no appointment needed):
Monday through Friday
9:00am-11:45am and 1:00pm-4:30pm
Closed on legal holidays January 18, February 12 and February 15, 2010
Clinic location:
County of Orange Health Care Agency
1725 W. 17th Street, Room 101J
Santa Ana, CA 92706 - Map
Parking is free.
Health Care Agency H1N1 Flu webpage
Flu Resources
Flu.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-H1N1 information
CA Department of Public Health
DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this website was considered correct at the time of publication. The Office on Aging, County of Orange reserves the right to make changes at any time and without notice, and assumes no liability for damages incurred directly or indirectly as a result of errors, omissions or discrepancies.
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