Nearly 10,000 seniors will turn 65 today and every day in America through 2019. The U.S. Census Bureau reported Californians 65 years of age and older accounted for 13.6 percent of the state’s population in 2016. Sadly, however, California also leads the nation in the number of older adults living in poverty. I am privileged to serve as a member of the California Commission on Aging where I continue my advocacy work on behalf of these constituents, a focus I also championed when I chaired the Assembly Committee on Long-Term Care and Aging. Seniors’ needs expand with age and those living in poverty often go without. Many depend on family members, government resources, community outreach and non-profit organizations to fill the gap. Yet surprisingly, as great as the needs of these vulnerable residents are, many will be surprised to learn that of the nearly 100,000 foundations spread across the country, only six are fully dedicated to serving seniors. This week, I had an opportunity to learn more about one of these six foundations and the great work it does on behalf of older Americans. For more than a decade, the Gary and Mary West Foundation has worked at the national, state and local (San Diego) levels to enable seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality, affordable healthcare and other support services designed to preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life and independence. Its founders, Gary and Mary West, are working to transform the way healthcare is delivered to an aging population. Efforts like those of the Gary and Mary West Foundation are enhanced by works of groups like the Frame Works Institute, an organization dedicated to enhancing how non-profit organizations communicate as a way to better frame public discussion on social concerns like the rapidly expanding senior population. The group is a partner in the Reframing Aging Project, working with aged-focused organizations from all over the country to create a better understanding of the needs of older adults and their contributions to society. In addition, they are working to use communications and outreach efforts to drive a more informed conversation about aging and its implications for our communities. Anyone who knows me, knows when I speak about seniors/older adults, I talk about the “Silver Tsunami.” I like what the sense of urgency the term implies. However, in the reframing discussion, it was determined such phrases are negative and should not be used. So, beginning today, I will start speaking in more positive terms, hoping it will have better results. Experts believe, this reframing effort will take about 15 years to change perception regarding how aging is perceived in this country. For far too long, growing old has been viewed as a negative experience; however, people should not fear growing old. Rather than viewing this natural process as a time of declining health and increased dependency, the Reframing Aging Project is working to change this in hopes of creating a better understanding of older adults and their contributions. We must unite at the local, state and federal levels to assure older adults can remain in their homes, healthy, independent, connected, productive and most importantly, cared-for regardless of their income. Their needs can range from food insecurity to mental health issues to physical and/or oral problems to just plain loneliness. Exploring new models of care is one way to address these concerns. We are changing the way advocates talk about aging and it is important that when we look at seniors, we see the whole person — not just their age. We must continue to find better ways to care for those who cared for us. Cheryl Brown of San Bernardino represented the 47th District in the California Assembly from 2012-2016.
Between now and the end of 2019 , almost 10,000 senior US citizens will reach Between now and the end of 2019 every day, but of the 65 foundations in the US , 65 are aimed at helping seniors. Californians aged 65 and older representing 13.6 percent of the entire state’s population last year , with the state having the highest rate of older adults living in poverty. The Gary and Mary West Foundation is a Californian initiative aimed at helping seniors to age in place with better quality and more reasonably priced healthcare, which works alongside organization the Reframing Aging Project to improve interoperability between non-profits. The Gary and Mary West Foundation has joined the Reframing Aging Project , designed to better understand older citizens’ needs and to improve outreach efforts. The organization believes that reframing the process of growing old will take approximately 15 years to help it be seen as a positive experience, and to help others see older Americans as worthwhile contributors to society.