PALS Mission is to create a community of seniors who look out for each other by informing and educating LGBTQ+ people and allies on all aspects of planning ahead before health or life-altering situations arise.
PALS accomplishes its mission by offering informational and educational programs year-round that include no cost seminars, workshops, resource materials and special events both in-person and online.
PALS Alert
PALS is sharing three timely publications with you:
- Equality California has just published the LGBTQ+ Housing Report
- SAGE and the Human Rights Campaign have put together an excellent guide titled ‘Facing the Future Together.’
- For transgender, gender expansive, intersex people and their allies, the Fact Sheet published by California LGBTQ+, Civil Rights, and Health Care Advocates informs about Your Rights in California in Response to Recent Executive Orders.
Our next PALS 2026 Seminar*
Where We Age
Saturday, May 16
The Center, Room 3, 9:30 – 11am
Join us for an enlightening seminar that delves into the crucial decisions of choosing the best living arrangements for your golden years. As we navigate the complexities of aging, many of us face pivotal questions:
- Should you stay in the home you love, or
- Is it time to explore new surroundings that better suit your evolving needs?
This informative session will guide you through the decision-making process, addressing whether you can maintain your independence, or when assistance might be necessary as time goes on. We’ll explore a variety of housing options tailored to your individual lifestyle, with a special emphasis on inclusive and supportive LGBTQ+ communities in the Coachella Valley.
Additionally, we’ll discuss financial planning that might be associated with various living arrangements, ensuring you have the information needed to make empowered choices for your future. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insight and connect with others who share similar considerations—your best years are ahead!
Past Events and Seminars of our 2025-2026 Season
To view our extensive Archive of selected past seminars, please click the RESOURCES menu tab at the top of the screen and select PALS PRESENTATION ARCHIVE.
Emergency Planning – The Fridge List Has Gone Digital!
Saturday, April 18
We’ve all seen the emergency contact list taped to a refrigerator. For decades, that was the gold standard. But today, the ‘fridge list’ has gone digital. We are moving into an era where emergency planning isn’t just about water and flashlights; it’s about a Digital Safety Net. In our Seminar, “Emergency Planning and Technology for Seniors,” we’ll discuss how smart sensors, wearables, digital health IDs and apps are providing a silent layer of protection that doesn’t just respond to emergencies—it helps prevent them.
Miss the presentation? View and/or download the presentation and Technical Setup Guide HERE!
Legal/Advanced Directives
Saturday, March 21
Imagine a time when you couldn’t speak for yourself. Would your loved ones know your wishes? A California Advance Directive is your key to ensuring that your healthcare decisions are honored—providing clarity and reassurance during tough times.
Join us for an enlightening seminar where we’ll demystify Advance Directives. Discover why every adult should have one, how it can alleviate the burden on your family, and the profound care it reflects for those you love.
Don’t leave your future to chance. Act now and empower your loved ones with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions on your behalf.
Did you miss our seminar? Here is a link to the full video, and presentation slides.
Doing it Richard’s Way
If you’ve been wondering why and how PALS founder, Richard Bass, was able to end his life through California’s End of Life Options Act (CA EOLOA), then this special seminar is for you. PALS panelists covered the key provisions of California’s Medical Aid in Dying law; the criteria Richard had to meet in order for the medication to be prescribed; what it was like for him, family and friends during the weeks before he ingested the medication, and what those who were with him experienced when Richard courageously faced the reality of ending life on his own terms.
This seminar was poignant and very well received by our combined audience. We will be constructing a page on our website dedicated to Richard’s memory and his MAID journey at a later date.
PALS Full Day Trip to the Getty Center
PALS kicked off its 12th season by experiencing two provocative exhibitions celebrating LGBTQ+ art & photography at the Getty Center — Los Angeles:
• $3 Bill: Evidence of Queer Lives
• Queer Lens: A History of Photography
We were so happy to have been able to offer this day trip free of charge to our guests. It was a truly wonderful excursion and we’ll look forward to planning more day trips in the future!
Thank you to our Sponsors who so generously donated for our excursion: Brothers of the Desert, Cathedral City Senior Center, Compassion & Choices, The Center, and Wiefels!
PALS ongoing meetings online
PALS Circle on Zoom
Every Monday at 6PM
PALS Circle is a small, weekly online gathering where people come together to build connection, reduce isolation, and support one another in navigating the aging process and planning ahead. Circles are self‑facilitated, confidential, and welcoming—offering a consistent space for check‑ins, shared stories, and gentle encouragement as each member takes meaningful steps toward preparing for the future.
PALS Death Café
Every FIRST Thursday of the month (Sept. 5, Oct. 3, Nov. 7, etc.)
PALS Death Café offers a safe place for facilitated, open conversation about mortality and planning ahead. There’s no agenda or judgment—just a warm, confidential setting where curiosity is welcome, stories can be shared, and the topic of death becomes a little less isolating. By speaking openly together, participants often find comfort, clarity, and a deeper appreciation for the lives they’re living now.
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