"Ensuring access to nutritious food and fostering social engagement are cornerstones of promoting the health and wellness of older adults in our communities," says CDA Director Susan DeMarois.

"This is an opportunity for LGBTQIA+ older adults to share their perspectives, experiences, needs, and priorities to help inform state policies and programs for older adults," said CDA Director Susan DeMarois.

As the holiday season approaches and families gather, the California Department of Aging (CDA) encourages families to have important conversations about aging. CDA has released an updated aging resource guide to help Californians ask the right questions and help inform decisions about older loved ones’ well-being.

Today, the California Department of Aging announced that $20.1 million in grants have been awarded to 354 adult day centers across California that provide older adults and people with disabilities with group activities, meals, health and wellness support, and more, as they live at home in the community.

All Californians aged 55 and older can now participate in the survey to share their current and future service needs, and help shape the future of aging in California.

The Annual C4A Conference takes place May 9-11 in Glendale, California, with policy, academic, and program leaders and experts on aging gathering to discuss "Mapping the Future of Aging and Disability Services in California."

"Grants were awarded to 78 organizations with innovative ideas to offer training and incentives for the direct care Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) workforce and unpaid family and friend caregivers. The grantees include non-profit organizations, universities and training providers, and for-profit organizations that will train the direct care workforce in all 58 California counties."

"The MPA Annual Report reviews investments and progress made in 2022 toward the 132 initiatives that were the focus of the first two years of MPA implementation, and outlines the 95 new initiatives that will drive activities for the next two years. Also launched was the MPA Initiatives Tracker, an interactive website that provides on-demand public access to initiative progress updates."

"After long absences, holiday gatherings can bring families great joy—but also difficult surprises. This holiday season, Mom or Dad may seem different—more frail, forgetful, or confused than during your last get-together. A family member’s disability or memory loss may mean that your role in the family will change, as their need for care increases."

"The conference will highlight California’s Master Plan for Aging (MPA), the state’s 10-year blueprint to reimagine aging and to equitably tackle issues like housing, transportation, health, long-term care and social supports for a growing and diverse demographic."

"Staying current and boosted with vaccinations and routine screenings are especially important for older adults," said Susan DeMarois, CA Department of Aging Director. "As we are all re-engaging with our friends, families, and communities, prevention is key."

"Aging in California includes a directory of resources, as well as a QR code that can be scanned with a smartphone for links to available services in different regions of the state."

"California becomes the eighth state in the nation to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, a commitment to make the state more livable for people of all ages and abilities."