Chair:

Patty Mouton
Alzheimer’s Orange County

Social Engagement

Meeting Frequency: Every Month, 2nd Tuesday from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. at Alzheimer’s Orange County in Irvine (quarterly OC Heart to Heart Visitation Council meetings held quarterly on the 2nd Friday of the month from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Council on Aging – Southern California).

SAVE THE DATE!! Heart to Heart: OC Senior Center Conference
A virtual hybrid conference that is centered around showcasing the Senior Centers in Orange County and combating Social Isolation in Older Adults. Stay tuned for more information regarding this exciting conference!

Participating Organizations: Alzheimer’s Association – Orange County Chapter, Alzheimer’s Orange County, CalOptima, City of Costa Mesa, City of Fountain Valley, City of Westminster, Council on Aging – Southern California, Laguna Woods Village, OC Office on Aging, Project LIFE, Meals on Wheels OC, St. Jude Medical Center

2021 Goals & Measurement

Goals

  • Conference will be held depending on the status of COVID-19
  • Theme: Living Alone – address problems, services gaps, what to do to avoid social isolation
  • COVID-19 is highlighting the essentialness of technology and we may see a variety of new resources/programs pop up as a result
  • Major issues include lack of devices, knowing how to use device/program, and Wi-Fi access
  • A broader audience, not just the Heart to Heart Council, would benefit from this meeting–subcommittee AGREES to open this up to the community
  • This event will be a precursor to the Heart to Heart conference–it will allow us to see what type of content we should expand upon and which platform is best
Topics include: Life-meaning (What gives the greatest meaning to your life?), relationships, isolation, and connecting (What are/have been the best things about relationships in your life?), hopes, fears, and worries (What things do you worry about?), etc.

  • This could be the focus of our 2nd quarterly meeting (potentially in February 2021)
  • This can be in-person and help us gauge whether or not the community is ready for in-person events and how that could affect the conference
  • Could easily be switched to an online event if necessary
  • A broader audience could also benefit from this content so we will want to open it up to the community
  • Currently have 30 Heart to Heart Council members. Aim for a 20-25% increase in membership–6 new members
  • Each subcommittee member (organization) will be responsible for acquiring one new member
  • Target OC churches for potential membership
  • Our message: OC Heart to Heart Council is a resource of information–we can help your program
  • Send a mailing (invitation of upcoming events/resources/benefits of the council) to the 700-800 churches in OC
  • Interfaith Councils may the key to building our relationship with churches
  • Focus on contacting local interfaith councils and getting on their monthly agenda to promote the benefits of the Heart to Heart Council

Measurement

  • Increase OC Heart to Heart Conference attendance by 20%.
  • Hold at least three OC Heart to Heart Friendly Visitation Council meetings per year, in addition to the conference.
  • Host Technology-centered and Spirituality/Faith topics at Friendly Visitation Council meetings
  • Increase Friendly Visitation Council membership by 20-25%.

2020 Accomplishments

2020 was an unpredictable year due to the COVID-19 pandemic but here is a list of the Social Engagement Committee’s response to help the community.

  • November 5, 2020 – Tech Conference: Feasting on Knowledge: Byte by Byte in collaboration with the OCSPA Technology Committee
  • Friendly Visit Survey – 112 respondents
  • Friendly Visitor Program response to COVID-19: cancelling in-person visits and switching to phone calls
  • St. Jude – reached out to 400+ older adults to keep them connected
  • AlzOC and Saddleback Peace Ministries – held pop-up pantries around Orange County
  • AlzOC staff delivered groceries, toilet paper, masks, and other necessities to seniors

2019 Quarterly Updates

Quarter 1
January 1-March 31 2019

  • The subcommittee held their quarterly Heart to Heart Friendly Visitation Council meeting on February 15.  45 members were in attendance. Speakers were invited to talk about continuum of care, adult day health care, the role of an ombudsman, and sacred encounters. 
  • They’re currently planning for their next quarterly Visitation Council meeting scheduled for Mid-May.
  • 22 organization members part of the Friendly Visitation Council

Quarter 2
April 1-June 30 2019

  • The subcommittee held their quarterly Heart to Heart Friendly Visitation Council meeting in May and screened “End Game”.  Topic was about end of life care and dying well. Many members in attendance are interested in hosting “End Game” screening at their locations.  
  • They’re currently planning for their next quarterly Visitation Council meeting scheduled for mid-September and the topic is on social isolation during the holidays
  • 22 organization members part of the Friendly Visitation Council

Quarter 3
July – September 30, 2019

  • On September 13th, the OCSPA Social Engagement subcommittee will be holding their quarterly Friendly Visitation Council meeting at Council on Aging Southern California. This meeting’s theme is “It Takes a Village” and will provide speakers on how one can optimize aging in place. These quarterly meetings are for those that have community and ministry based visitation programs but are also open to those interested in starting a visitation program.
  • The subcommittee is currently in the early stages of planning for their Heart to Heart Conference planned for early summer 2020.

Quarter 1
January 1-March 31 2019

  • The subcommittee held their quarterly Heart to Heart Friendly Visitation Council meeting on February 15.  45 members were in attendance. Speakers were invited to talk about continuum of care, adult day health care, the role of an ombudsman, and sacred encounters. 
  • They’re currently planning for their next quarterly Visitation Council meeting scheduled for Mid-May.
  • 22 organization members part of the Friendly Visitation Council

Quarter 2
April 1-June 30 2019

  • The subcommittee held their quarterly Heart to Heart Friendly Visitation Council meeting in May and screened “End Game”.  Topic was about end of life care and dying well. Many members in attendance are interested in hosting “End Game” screening at their locations.  
  • They’re currently planning for their next quarterly Visitation Council meeting scheduled for mid-September and the topic is on social isolation during the holidays
  • 22 organization members part of the Friendly Visitation Council

Quarter 3
July – September 30, 2019

  • On September 13th, the OCSPA Social Engagement subcommittee will be holding their quarterly Friendly Visitation Council meeting at Council on Aging Southern California. This meeting’s theme is “It Takes a Village” and will provide speakers on how one can optimize aging in place. These quarterly meetings are for those that have community and ministry based visitation programs but are also open to those interested in starting a visitation program.
  • The subcommittee is currently in the early stages of planning for their Heart to Heart Conference planned for early summer 2020.

Resources/Upcoming Events