Long Term Care and Aging Issues

While California has a median age of less than 35, it also has more individuals over the age of 65 than any state in the nation. In addition, the aging population has far more women than men (twice as many women as men over the age of 85). The changing demographics require that the state give more attention to the aging population.

Long-term care givers are pivotal in assuring that the needs are met for the elderly and individuals of all ages with disabilities. Nationwide, 59% to 75% of long-term care givers are women – a value to the nation of more than $148 billion annually. California leads the way with an estimated 3.4 million care givers. Their work deserves true recognition and compensation. The Commission's goal is to work toward better addressing the growing needs of an aging population and the care givers who serve them.

To learn more about these issues, please see below.

• AGEnda for Action: Building a Movement for Elder Women's Advocacy - Women's Foundation of California, October 2009
• Senior's and the Law: A Guide for Maturing Californians - California Bar Foundation, 2009
• Taking Care of Tomorrow - A Consumers Guide to Long Term Care (PDF) - Developed by the California Department of Aging
• Legal and Public Policy Issues for Transgender Eleders (PDF)

Please visit our long term care and aging links/resources section for additional information.