California's Aging Opportunity
Overview: California's Aging Opportunity Report
California's first Baby Boomers turned 60 in 2006. By the year 2020, one in five Californians will be over the age of 60 — growing from the current level of one in seven. These older Californians represent an unprecedented civic resource that could help address some of the state's most persistent needs.
If steps are taken now to accommodate and prepare for this imminent wave of Baby Boomers and their desire to serve, California will realize enormous benefits from this civic resource. However, there is currently a significant gap between the large number of older adults who say they want to serve and the number of those who are actually serving. The report, California's Aging Opportunity: Building a Legacy of Good Works by Older Californians, was developed by CaliforniaVolunteers to address this gap and to seize California's aging opportunity.
To learn more, download the full report. This report summarizes input from a broad research and planning effort conducted by CaliforniaVolunteers. It was developed as a result of Senate Bill 953 (Vasconcellos, Statute of 2002), the California Integrated Elder Care and Involvement Act, and funded by a generous grant from The California Wellness Foundation.
More information, ideas and resources can be found on this website.
Background: Understanding the Opportunity
Understanding California's Aging Opportunity is the first step in taking action to mobilize the vast potential civic resource of older Californians.
- The Changing Face of Aging: California's older adults are growing in numbers and diversity; they're healthier and more adventurous than ever; and they want to serve.
- The Win-Win-Win: If California's unprecedented civic resource of older adults is tapped for service, there will be tremendous benefits for the older adults, their communities and the State.
- Paving the Way: Many older Californians are already demonstrating the power of service and their actions serve as a model for others.
- Bridging the Gap: Organizations and individuals can take steps to bridge the gap between the current levels of interest in serve and the actual involvement.
Throughout California and nationally, many organizations and individuals are working to increase understanding and action in response of this opportunity.
Learn more through relevant resources and reading.
Recommendations: Seizing the Opportunity
California's Aging Opportunity report outlines six actions the state should take to increase the number and impact of older Californians who serve. These recommendations include a combination of programs, policies and pathways that can be implemented together or stand on their own. Follow the links below to learn more about each: