Despite the dangers of an aging population and underfunded retirement programs , politicians continue to ignore the risks of long - term care support and health care costs , writes Jeffrey Lewis of Legacy Research Endowment . California , in particular , will feel the brunt of the demographic changes , with 70 percent of Californians over the age of 65 set to need long - term care support . These seniors lack the financial savings to pay for health care and caregiver services , with the next generation set to finance their needs . Furthermore , the strain on federal and states funding will limit the ability to provide support to aging Californians and their families . The long - term care model currently in place is outdated , while little preparation has been to support the aging baby boomer generation . As the next generation financial supports their parents ’ generation , so too will their retirement planning be compromised . When discussing preparations for ensuring healthy , affordable independence for seniors , policy is failing . In California however , the West Health Foundation in San Diego is leading the way in ensuring that Californian seniors ’ needs are catered for . Two important facts compound the crisis: a long-term care model that was created decades ago that does not reflect a drastically changed population, and insufficient preparation and planning to meet the needs of baby boomers’ anticipated needs as they continue to grow older. To this end , Gary West recently announced a nonpartisan public awareness and education campaign called We Stand with Seniors … Will You ? . The campaign ’s aim is to inform gubernatorial candidates and state lawmakers of the impending crisis and provoke the required response . Recent work by the campaign has produced two significant results . The first is that 64 percent of voters have anxiety about the state ’s lack of action . Secondly that 86 percent of voters believe in programs that promote community - based care to elderly families and children of aging parents . It is hard to underestimate the value of the West Health campaign according to Jeffrey Lewis . However , the issues facing California are also prevalent across the US . Almost 10,000 adults turn 65 each day , doubling the number of retirees who will require long term care by 2050 . Despite this , Congress and many state legislatures remain apathetic to the risks and focus instead upon the issues surrounding Obamacare . As a result , purposeful action and the planning of a long - term aging plan in California is an absolute necessity . The aging of the population is the greatest challenge facing America and without action soon , the country will be stretched beyond repair .
Despite the dangers of an aging population and underfunded retirement programs , politicians continue to ignore the risks of long - term care support and health care costs , writes Jeffrey Lewis of Legacy Research Endowment . California , in particular , will feel the brunt of the demographic changes , with 70 percent of Californians over the age of 65 set to need long - term care support . These seniors lack the financial savings to pay for health care and caregiver services , with the next generation set to finance their needs . Furthermore , the strain on federal and states funding will limit the ability to provide support to aging Californians and their families . The long - term care model currently in place is outdated , while little preparation has been to support the aging baby boomer generation . As the next generation financial supports their parents ’ generation , so too will their retirement planning be compromised . When discussing preparations for ensuring healthy , affordable independence for seniors , policy is failing . In California however , the West Health Foundation in San Diego is leading the way in ensuring that Californian seniors ’ needs are catered for . To this end , Gary West recently announced a nonpartisan public awareness and education campaign called We Stand with Seniors … Will You ? . The campaign ’s aim is to inform gubernatorial candidates and state lawmakers of the impending crisis and provoke the required response . Recent work by the campaign has produced two significant results . The first is that 64 percent of voters have anxiety about the state ’s lack of action . Secondly that 86 percent of voters believe in programs that promote community - based care to elderly families and children of aging parents . It is hard to underestimate the value of the West Health campaign according to Jeffrey Lewis . However , the issues facing California are also prevalent across the US . Almost 10,000 adults turn 65 each day , doubling the number of retirees who will require long term care by 2050 . Despite this , Congress and many state legislatures remain apathetic to the risks and focus instead upon the issues surrounding Obamacare . As a result , purposeful action and the planning of a long - term aging plan in California is an absolute necessity . The aging of the population is the greatest challenge facing America and without action soon , the country will be stretched beyond repair .