Summary
In June 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order N-14-19 calling for the development of the California Master Plan for Aging (MPA) to serve as a blueprint for local governments and communities to build a “California for All Ages” by 2030. To develop its local plan, Orange County conducted a needs assessment, consisting of three surveys organized around the California priorities and accompanying strategies laid out in the state’s five goals: 1) Housing for All Ages & Stages; 2) Health Reimagined; 3) Inclusion & Equity, Not Isolation; 4) Caregiving that Works; and 5) Affordable Aging. Orange County’s older adults, their friends and family caregivers, and paid providers were surveyed about areas in which they believed Orange County was doing well and those that may warrant further exploration or attention.
California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) data, the California Elder Index, and the UCLA Long-Term Services and Support Survey were used as resources in goals 2 through 5.
Findings: From a list of 31 items covering health, lifestyle and social concerns, the top concern was Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia both in the community survey as well as the paid provider survey. Similarly, “memory loss” was the second highest endorsed mental health concern. Cost of living/economic insecurity and financial stress were top contributors to people’s behavioral health issues, and financial stress was the top contributor to people’s medical concerns. The top reasons preventing older adults from seeking support services, medical care and mental and behavioral health care were lack of information about where to get help, appointments not available at convenient times and the high cost of services/copays.
