La County Seniors Have Spoken! It is of importance that each of our elected city council members, in our region receives a copy of this groundbreaking survey that identifies needs of the growing number of older adults in Los Angeles County.  A joint effort of the Los Angeles County Community and Senior Services (CSS), Los Angeles City Department of Aging and the Los Angeles County Commission on Aging.  “This is the first time that Area Agencies on Aging have jointly surveyed seniors directly,” says Cynthia Banks, Director of CSS. Banks was assigned the responsibility to lead this initiative. “The report provides the county and the city (as for all cities) with information that is invaluable for both planning programs and advocacy,” says Commissioner Marilyn Fried, Chair of the L.A. County Commission on Aging Needs Assessment Committee. Senior LIVING is aware of several cities with Council of Aging Commissions and that the City of Pasadena has developed a Senior Master Plan, that sets Senior Policy with Priority recommendations. Need Copies of the LA County Seniors Count! Survey of the Older Adult population! Are available at http://css.lacounty.gov and www.lacity.org/DOA or call 213-738-2065.

Be Prepared: By 2010 the Baby Boomers will represent 25 percent of California's population, and by 2020 will be in pre- and early-retirement ages (45 to 64 years). During this period of fluctuating births and improving survivorship, the percentage of elderly population is projected to grow from 14 percent in 1990 to 22 percent in 2030. This large cohort will strain services and programs required by an aging population. At the same time, the 0-19 age groups decrease by 7 percent, and by 2030 there will be little distinction between any of the age groups We can expect a large increases in some very vulnerable groups with high percentage of individuals living in poverty or with low incomes.  They will require a much grater share of public/private support and services.  By 2025, there will be sizeable increases in the number of people requiring services in health care, nutrition, housing, transportation, recreation and education.  Are we prepared for this challenge? 

The New Shade Of Gray:  Senior living and care providers preparing for the next generation of boomer-consumers will be facing some unprecedented challenges, according to a collective authorities that made their presentations at the Aging Services of California Annual Conference that was held in San Diego.  Among the far-reaching topics covered in the conference’s dozen workshops were futuristic model homes that prolong independent living, innovative dementia care therapies, strategies for marketing to the “silent generation”; financing solutions for long-term care; and training new leaders and retaining quality employees. It is anticipated that a culture clash of sorts in senior communities, as current residents, predominately of the silent generation, become neighbors with the boomer generation, a number of experts suggested.  Throughout the event, a common thread was adaptability.  That there will be tension, as a new desire for autonomy infiltrates the status quo and sense of community, Mary McMullin, president of New Life Management & Development said. Source:  Agenda, June 2008 edition, Aging Services of California.

Fire Storm:  It seems that the numerous letters from our readers, expressed their opinion that the National Day of Prayer, should be on May lst as designed by our Federal Capitol in Washington, D.C.  That it should “not” be used as a political platform for those up elected officials up for election.  Many noted that they see nothing wrong with the various civic and service organizations being the sponsors of event.  However, several asked, that if a Religious Leaders Council is in the city, that they should be the group that takes the lead in pulling together the event, that goes back to the early 1950’s.