FAIRFIELD — Solano County on Thursday unveiled its Master Plan for Aging & Disability at a morning conference that included the state's director of the Department of Aging.
Susan DeMarois, who gave a state perspective on the issue, said Solano County is one of 21 local jurisdictions to have such a plan, and was helping to lead the way for others to follow in the state and across the country.
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She said there has even been talk in the U.S. Senate about developing a national plan for aging.
DeMarois encouraged the county and local groups to use the resources compiled by the state. However, what the state has learned, while each plan is unique, the top priorities tend to be shared concerns.
DeMarois likened it to climbing a ladder, and as more and more areas develop plans, everyone learns a little more and can climb a little higher.
Emery Cowan, director of the county Department of Health & Social Services, brought the issues facing aging adults close to home.
She told the story of her mother, who Cowan brought to Solano County from Florida about five years ago, three years after she had arrived. That is when she learned first-hand how difficult it was to care for an aging parent, especially one whose cognitive abilities were diminishing.
Cowan said her Cuba-born mother only spoke Spanish, so she did what she could to keep her from becoming isolated.
"Loneliness is a real issue. One of the things my mom struggled with was finding someone else to talk to," said Cowan, adding that she knocked on the doors of her mother's neighbors to let them know who she was, and to make sure she had others to whom she could talk.
It was reported that 20% of adults 60 or older in Solano County live alone. That does not necessarily mean they are lonely, but even those who are not could have a medical episode without anyone else around to help.
Cowan understands that, too.
"Then she fell," Cowan said of her mother, who died in February at 82.
"And that's when I said, 'oh my God, she has to live somewhere safe,'" Cowan added.
She said she was able to find a senior living facility with Spanish-speaking operators, noting that those kinds of resources are available in Solano, but will need to expand in the coming years.
Supervisor Monica Brown, chairwoman of the Oversight Committee for the Napa-Solano Area Agency on Aging, was there to give a local perspective.
Instead, she railed against FEMA for not releasing the funds to fix Lopes Road, potentially creating an evacuation problem for students going to school in the area.
Brown also encouraged everyone to do what they can to help – noting particularly supporting area food banks.
"We all have to work together; things are going to get worse," was Brown's message.
"I know that things are hard, so we have to do what we can."
The three-hour conference, hosted by Innovative Health Solutions, was held at the county Events Center. It drew a standing room only crowd that exceeded the 108 seats – six each at 18 tables.
"Your presence today and the work you do every day in your homes and community ... have already made an ... impact," Norma de Lisenko, founder and chief executive officer of Innovative Health Solutions, said in her opening remarks.
A second room was filled with resource agencies and organizations.
Denise Kirnig, program manager for Innovative Health Solution, gave the 51-page plan overview.
The goals of the plan, which follow the state's guidelines too, are:
• Housing for All Ages and Stages – Target: Millions of new housing options to age well.
• Health Reimagined – Target: Close the equity gap and increase life efficiency.
• Inclusion and Equity, Not Isolation – Target: Keep increasing live satisfaction as we age.
• Caregiving that Works – Target: 1 million high-quality caregiving jobs.
• Affording Aging – Target: Close the equity gap and increase elder economic sufficiency.
DeMarois said the fifth priority is one that everyone must overcome as they age.
The executive summary of the plan highlights how the population of older adults is growing. In 2025, those 60 or older, number at about 115,287. By 2040, that number will have increased 15% to 132,692; and by 2060, an estimated 148,718 seniors will call Solano County home.
That summary also noted that the aging population is getting more diverse, with the current population of white, non-Hispanics – which represent about 46% of that population – transitioning to under one-third, "with the remaining majority being persons of color."
It is an issue that Cowan said needs always to be considered in planning for future services.
"There's only so much we can do in the county ... So we nee all these experts and partners," Cowan said.
Susan DeMarois and Norma Lisenko pictured. Photo and Article by Todd R. Hansen/Daily Republic