A Few Facts on Aging

California Aging Issues Vol. 1, # 1, March, 2003 Editor’s Column California is a young state, but its population is rapidly aging. In recognition of this demographic transition, Cooperative Extension is seeking to extend its major function of knowledge dissemination to the area of aging. The California Aging Workgroup did a survey of extension advisors, supervisors, and specialists who said they would like to increase the number of programs targeting aging but needed more information. The purpose of this newsletter is to provide a forum for sharing information about aging issues. Each issue will have a feature, as well as information about myths and facts, legislation, and resources. The final page will be an electronic "tear out" suitable for dissemination to your constituents. Anybody wishing to submit articles or request information on specific topics should contact Diane Gilmer at dfgilmer@ucdavis.edu. -- Diane Gilmer, Editor -- Carolyn Aldwin, Workgroup Chair Human & Community Development University of California, Davis Feature: California Aging Myths and Facts What’s New at the State Legislature? Volunteer Activities o o Resources on Aging A Senior Note: Doggie Baggies Feature: Aging California Gilmer, -Diane Ph.D., RN o o o o One of the challenges facing California in the 21st century is to provide for the growing number of older adults in its population. California has more people 65 years of age and older than any other state, over 3.4 million. These numbers will double in the next two decades, a population increasingly diverse in gender, ethnicity, place of residence, and income. The majority of California’s older people are women. Women begin to outnumber men at about the age of 30 and by the age of 85, there are more than two women for every man (exceeding the Beach Boys' dream). Women have less money and are more likely to live alone than men. They also have more chronic illnesses and health care needs. On the other hand, they live longer. Ethnic diversity is evident among California’s older population. In 2000, 69.9% of those 65 and older were European American, 13% Latino, 9.7% 1 Asian American/Pacific Islander, 4.9% African American, and less than 1% American Indian/Native Alaska. This will change dramatically in the next 40 years. Projections are that by 2040, 45.9% of older adults will be European Americans, 31.7% Latino, 16.8% Asian American/Pacific Islander, and 5% African American. Percentages of American Indian and Native Alaskans will be unchanged. Diversity among California’s older people extends to where they live as well. Overall, about 10% of older adults live in rural areas of the state. This percentage is much greater in some counties, such as Siskiyou, Nevada, and Lake, where almost one in five is 65 years of age or older. Furthermore, the number of older adults living in rural areas is increasing, primarily due to inmigration of retirees and out-migration of young people. In general, older people who live in rural areas have lower incomes than urban dwellers. In 1999, 42% of rural California elderly lived on $15,000 or less. Income among those who live in rural areas varies, however, and life-long farmers tend to be wealthier than small town dwellers Rural elderly generally have poorer health than those who live in urban areas, although life-long farmers fare better. They have less access to clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, and social support services such as Meals on Wheels, senior centers, or homemaker services. Transportation is probably the number one problem for older adults living in rural areas. On the other hand, those who live in rural areas have more family members available to provide assistance if it is needed. In contrast, older adults who live in urban areas of the country have higher incomes, better health, and easier access to transportation. They also have greater availability of health and social care resources. However, they are less likely to receive help from their children. In 2000, about 8% of older people in California had incomes at or below the poverty level, a yearly income of $8,300 or less. Age, gender, ethnicity, and geographic location are risk factors for poverty. Those who are very old, female, of African American or Latino descent, or any combination of the above, are more likely to live in poverty than other elders. The challenge of meeting the needs of older Californians in the coming years is tremendous. Cooperative Extension personnel are in an excellent position to help meet this challenge. Myths and Facts “Myth: an unfounded or false notion.” Myth 1: The majority of people 65 years and older live in nursing homes. Fact: Fewer than 5% of those aged 65 and over live in nursing homes. Interestingly, this percent has decreased in the past 10 years, possibly because people are healthier, and, if ill, being cared for in their homes. The majority of older adults live independently in their homes with no need for outside help. Myth 2: Older people are ignored by their family members and have to rely on outside services or hired help to provide them with care. Fact: Family members, including spouses, sons, 2 daughters, in-laws, and grandchildren, provide the majority of care to their older relatives. Neighbors and friends also provide care, especially during emergencies. What’s New at the State Legislature? -- Betty Perry Public Policy Director, Older Women’s League of California With about a 32 billion dollar gap in the proposed budget, the overriding theme of this legislative session so far has been how to cut expenses to meet the budget demands and how to work on income enhancements (taxes) which will be fair and acceptable to the legislators. All Californians need to understand the process, the significance of the cuts, especially those directed toward the poor who are ill, and the burden to taxpayers. Many suggestions emerge. This week came the recommendation to move the Department of Aging to the Department of Social Services. California’s senior population is growing and we find that there may need to be cutbacks, but should we keep the Department in place to deal with the growth of seniors and their attendant problems? Seniors are helped by such programs as the Ombudsman program for nursing homes, Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Centers, the Adult Day Health Care programs, and Information and Assistance Programs. A long list of services can be found on the Department of Aging’s Web page: http://www.aging.state.ca.us/ It is important to read the newspapers about the MediCal cuts 3 which will increase the number of the low income working poor, leaving them without any health care protection. The cuts in the pay to MediCal providers will reduce an already limited number of doctors and other professionals available. Reduction in special services such as medical equipment from wheel chairs to testing strips for diabetics, dental care and many other services is frightening to those who need them. In addition, many rural hospitals that rely on MediCal for payments are in serious financial condition. Closing of those hospitals will create a hardship for a number of remote communities of the state. Several thousand bills have already been introduced into the legislature. To learn more, read the newspapers and go to: www.leginfo.ca.gov. There you can find information about your legislator and particular bills. It is important to keep informed with so much going on. “Names of Interest” Senator Vasconcellos is the chair of the State Senate Subcommittee on Aging and Long Term Care. Sarah Sutro is his consultant and can be contacted at: sarahsutro@sen.ca.gov Myth 3: Almost everyone over the age of 65 has some form of dementia. Fact. Only about 5% of older people have memory problems; this increases to 25% by the age of 85. Cerebral vascular accidents (strokes), atherosclerosis, tumors, poor nutrition, and Alzheimer’s disease are some of the many causes of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for about 70% of the cases of dementia. Those with dementia often live many productive years with the disease. A person who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease lives, on the average, about 13 more years, but serious disability may occur only in the later stages. Volunteer Activities Focus on John Hoffman John's most ambitious volunteer endeavor was writing the book, “Trees of Napa Valley.” The 126-page book contains a collection of essays that chronicle the history of some of the very special trees in Napa County. His love of storytelling and his extensive knowledge of trees has made this book a best seller. The proceeds benefit the Napa Master Gardener program. Asked why he volunteers, John answers, "Mostly because I enjoy associating with other people, especially those who speak my language and enjoy what I enjoy ...trees, plants and gardening!" Do you have a senior volunteer you would like to highlight? --Marciel Klenk & Annette Krammer Napa County Cooperative Extension Older people serve as valuable resources to their local community as exemplified by John Hoffman, a quiet man with a twinkle in his eye and a big smile. John is 87 years old and lives with his wife, Margaret, on their farm in Napa. John is a professional arborist who retired to establish an organic family farm in Napa in 1981. Since then his days have been busy with organic farming and volunteering. John is an active volunteer in the Native Plant Society, the Napa Bonsai Club, is the Historian for his church and has been a Napa Master Gardener with UC Cooperative Extension for the past 8 years. During that time he has logged more than 800 hours of volunteer time. John is a wealth of information on nearly anything to do with gardening and has a knack for teaching both veteran and novice gardeners. ………………………………. Resources on Aging Where to get help? Nursing Home Search in California: www.calnhs.org A national all-around source of excellent information: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/elderpage.html . You can reach the Area Agency on Aging in your region by calling 800-510-2020. This will get you to an information and referral officer. The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging can be accessed at: http://www.aoa.gov/index.asp The WEB cite for California Department of Aging is: http://www.aging.state.ca.us/ 4 National Institute on Aging: http://www.nia.nih.gov DANR Aging Workgroup site: http://groups.ucanr.org/elderly/ This aging fact sheet has been sponsored by the University of California Cooperative Extension, as well as the CE Workgroup on Aging Californians in Rural and Urban Settings and its Advisory Board. Mark your calendars: Workgroup members: Carolyn M. Aldwin, PhD – Chair, Professor, UCD Mary Blackburn, MPH, PhD – Co-Chair Nutrition, Family, & Consumer Science Advisor Mariciel Klenk, CFCS Nutrition, Family, & Consumer Science Advisor Janet Momsen, PhD, Professor, UCD Gloria Barrett Cooperative Extension County Director Estella West, MS Home Economics Carol J. Powell Family & Consumer Science Advisor Margaret Johns Nutrition, Family, & Consumer Science Advisor Dorothy Smith Nutrition, Family, & Consumer Science Advisor Eunice Williamson Nutrition, Family, & Consumer Science Advisor Rose Hayden-Smith, MA 4-H Youth Development Advisor Beth Ober, PhD, Professor, UCD Karen Varcoe, PhD Chair, DANR Human Resources Diane F. Gilmer, PhD, RN Staff, DANR Aging Workgroup “Honoring Our Elders: Caring for Our Communities”, the 2nd Annual African American Health Aging Summit Saturday, March 22, 2003 Antioch’s Lords Family Life Center, 7650 Amherst Street, Sacramento For information call: 916-324-2937 “Grandparents, Grandchildren, and Parents: The Balancing Act” April 10, 2003 St. Paul Baptist Church 14th Avenue, Sacramento For information call 916-486-1876 Advisory Board members: Betty Perry, Older Women’s League Mary Tucker, AARP Volunteer Specialist Sarah Sutro, Consultant to Senator Vasconcellos Barbara Gillogly, Professor, American River Diane Driver, Coordinator, Center on Aging, UCB Kelly Patterson – Consultant to Senator Ortiz George Xakellis, MD, Professor, UCDavis Mark Robinson, Family and Community Med., UCD “Health Psychology and Aging Conference” May 30 - June 1, 2003 Lake Arrowhead Conference Center For information contact Shanna Nation at snation@ucdavis.edu or 530-7523558. Do you have any announcements or questions? Contact Diane Gilmer at dfgilmer@ucdavis.edu or 530-752-2700 5 Senior Note THE DOGGIE BAG By Marciel Klenk, CFCS Harry and Mary went to lunch, But the portions were so large There was just too much to munch. Harry and Mary loved the taste, And when the waiter came to take the food away Harry protested that it was such a waste. So they took the uneaten food and put it in the car They drove home, It wasn’t very far. Mary immediately put the leftovers in the refrigerator, She knew bacteria grow rapidly, So this was always safer. They dined on the leftovers that same night And enjoyed their safe meal, On the patio, under the starlight. No one likes to see food go to waste so restaurants are always happy to pack up the leftovers in a doggie bag for customers to take home and eat later. Bacteria grow rapidly, especially in warm weather and inside a warm car. So, if you cannot refrigerate the doggie bag within 2 hours of being served, it’s better to leave the leftovers at the restaurant. If you reheat the leftovers, be sure to heat them thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165° F. 6 7