This community opinion was contributed by John Beleutz, Health Projects Center executive director. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. BenitoLink invites all community members to share their ideas and opinions. By registering as a BenitoLink user in the top right corner of our home page and agreeing to follow our Terms of Use, you can write counter opinions or share your insights on current issues. Lea este articulo en español aquí.

California’s population is aging. The 60+ population has grown by over 40% since 2010, while the overall state population has only grown by 1%. Remarkably, Santa Cruz County has witnessed an 81% increase in the population aged 65-84, outpacing all other regions in California. San Benito County follows closely with the third highest growth rate of 67%.

Over the next ten years, the number of individuals over 60 will increase faster than compared to all other age groups. By 2030, a staggering 10.8 million residents will be older adults, making up one-quarter of the state’s population.

California is not building skilled nursing facilities to address this growth. With costs exceeding $100,000 per year and where facilities are available, this option is still not affordable for most families. Long-term care in the U.S. happens in people’s homes, accounting for over 80% of care. We need a plan to support people to age and live successfully at home with dignity. 

In response to this demographic shift, the State of California launched the Master Plan for Aging in 2021. This 10-year initiative serves as a “blueprint” for state and local government, the private sector, community organizations and philanthropic entities to prepare California for the coming demographic changes.

The Master Plan on Aging sets forth ambitious goals that we must collectively work together to achieve. At Health Projects Center (HPC), our mission is to enable safe aging at home with top-quality services and programs in the Monterey Bay Region. 

HPC is an active partner in achieving the five goals of California’s Master Plan for Aging in collaboration with other local organizations through the Aging and Disability Resource Connection, an initiative focused on facilitating and simplifying access to the complicated menu of services available.

HPC is committed to supporting the five goals of the plan. Here are some examples:

Goal one: Housing for all ages and stages

“We will live where we choose as we age in communities that are age-, disability-, and dementia-friendly and climate- and disaster-ready.”

Housing in California is challenging, especially for low-income households. At HPC, we strive for a community where all people receive supportive health and social services at home in the least restrictive environment possible. Presently, HPC helps manage health and social services for over 450 very low-income people at risk for placement in long-term care facilities but are committed to staying in their homes. We aim to increase the number of people we are helping by 25% by the end of 2024. 

Goal Two: Health reimagined

“We will have access to the services we need to live at home in our communities and to optimize our health and quality of life.”

The State of California is expanding government-funded home and community-based services aimed at keeping people living at home. HPC is actively involved in introducing a new benefit called Enhanced Care Management. This program, supporting individuals receiving Medi-Cal, is designed to manage health and social care. We aim to enroll 200 people in this program and expand to include San Benito County in 2024.

Goal Three: Equity & inclusion, not isolation

“We will have lifelong opportunities for work, volunteering, engagement, and leadership and will be protected from isolation, discrimination, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.”

Loneliness and isolation among older adults are a growing problem in California. HPC partners with the Senior’s Council through the “Senior Companions” program. This initiative pairs older adults looking to provide social interaction, practical support and fun to isolated individuals in our communities. 

Goal Four: Caregiving that works

“We will be prepared for and supported through the rewards and challenges of caring for aging loved ones.”

HPC’s Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center is a free service to support anyone providing informal care to a loved one. In 2024, HPC will collaborate with the state-wide network of Caregiver Resource Centers to expand outreach to Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian/Pacific Islander and LGBTQ+ caregivers, as well as people with disabilities and economic and social needs.

Goal Five: Affording aging

 “We will have economic security for as long as we live.”

In California, many low-income people end up in skilled nursing facilities because they cannot afford the cost of home care, not because it is the best place for them to live. In fact, by keeping people at home, we can save resources and keep those at risk happy and safe. At HPC, we provide support and resources to low-income elders with significant complex health issues, many of whom have an income of under $1,000 per month.  

Looking ahead, HPC is determined to achieve these goals next year by:

  • Expand our reach and assist 25% more low-income individuals.   
  • Enroll 200 people into the Enhanced Care Management program and expand to San Benito County.
  • Continue the partnership with the Senior Companions program.
  • Collaborate with the ten other CRCs in the state to expand outreach to Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian/Pacific Islander, and LGBTQ+ caregivers, as well as people with disabilities and Californians’ economic and social needs.
  • Continue to provide resources and support to low-income elders so they can live happily and safely in their homes.
  • Continue to provide resources and support to low-income elders so they can live happily and safely in their homes.

To share our vision more, we invite you to check out our unaudited annual report.