Governor Gavin Newsom’s father, Judge William Newsom, died last year at 84 after battling dementia and other health issues. Two months later, in his first State of the State Address, the governor said that California will develop a “Master Plan on Aging.”
The governor cited three challenges for California that ACC addresses head on – the social isolation seniors experience, their transportation needs, and Alzheimer’s. “I’ve had some personal and painful experience with this recently,” he said.
ACC Rides, Meals on Wheels congregant dining, ACC Lifelong Learning are just a few programs that show how ACC has been thinking ahead on these issues. And with ACC Maple Tree Village opening later this year, we will be fully committed to helping people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Our work has another dimension to it that often gets overlooked by policy makers. We help family caregivers, not just their loved ones, through support groups, classes, workshops, and social activities. We strive to improve the quality of life for all family members, not just those 65 and older.
ACC has created an environment that promotes dynamic family interactions with seniors. Families come to our assisted living and skill nursing facilities, spending quality time with their love ones. It’s an organic experience that really defines ACC. If you attended our recent Chinese New Years celebrations, you could have seen just how intergenerational these events were.
Therefore, it appears that Governor Newsom’s approach to health policy was shaped by his father’s story. That’s what makes him like the rest of us. Anyone who has been a caregiver knows what older adults and their caregivers need. You don’t have to be the governor, but we’re glad he’s on board. Rich or poor, famous or not, we all want the same thing for our parents and others who are aging.
Read Governor Newsom’s State of the State speech delivered on February 12, 2019.
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