The Aging Crisis
With all eyes on the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s easy to miss that aging has been endangered for years, a slow-motion crisis unfolding without much attention. Aging has changed, society has changed and seniors have changed. Even before COVID, we weren’t ready.
More Americans are in their 60s, 70s and 80s than ever before. California has the most seniors in the nation, with those age 60+ expected to grow three times as fast as the rest of the state, making up 25% of the population by 2030.
That’s almost 11 million people.
More and more, this population will be living alone, facing risks that can threaten their independence and quality of life.
These risks can include injuries, falls, chronic diseases like Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, arthritis, heart attacks and stroke. Living with Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury and developmental disabilities present challenges that require support and care, and social isolation and mental health problems can endanger a senior’s well-being.
But despite the growing numbers facing these dilemmas, there are fewer and fewer people available to care for them. Retirement savings have been depleted by the previous recession and the current pandemic, and the housing crisis continues to worsen and displace seniors from a safe place to live.
We need to act decisively to prevent a catastrophe of homelessness and lack of care among elder Californians.
At Choice in Aging, our mission is to create opportunities where people can learn, grow, and age independently with dignity and community. We are on the front lines responding to the COVID-19 emergency – saving lives, providing care, and reducing isolation. We deliver innovative health care and social services, and we advocate for state and local policies that support aging Californians. We’re also re-inventing how to serve seniors efficiently, with plans for an “Aging in Place” campus.
You can help.
Please join us to ensure that every Californian can live a healthy, happy life in old age. Because a key measure of a society is how it cares for its elderly, those who cared for us.