I was honored to have been invited to participate in the Monterey County Master Plan for Aging & Disability. There was a wonderful show of support from the government agencies, elected representatives, the private sector and non-profits in attendance. The common goal: creating infrastructure to meet the challenges unfolding with a fast-growing population of older adults.
This issue impacts virtually every family in some way and the time to take action is now. America’s senior citizens should not have to worry about having enough money for groceries, or about adequate care. They should not face the social isolation that has such an adverse effect on mental and physical health. Sadly, all too often, this is the case for many. Take a look at some of the statistics below:
-1 in 4 older adults have trouble paying for food
-The number of seniors living below the poverty level will double in the next 10 years
-Up to 50% of those over the age of 60 are at risk of social isolation
The October 23 meeting was in response to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order calling for a Master Plan for Aging to be developed by October 1, 2020.
How can we as a community best work together to establish a master plan that addresses these needs? It’s something I’m going to think a lot about over the next few days and beyond. My longtime service as a trustee has given me a strong foundation in working with seniors and their families. Moving from helping older adults on an individual basis to being involved in the policy decisions that will help support our senior population is a new endeavor for me. It’s something I’m excited to be part of and you'll hear more about this from me in the weeks and months ahead.
You can share your ideas and suggestions for the Master Plan on Aging by emailing the Stakeholder Advisory Committee at engage@aging.ca.gov. The pledge for action includes a survey of top concerns and can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPAPledge.
