CONGRATULATIONS: Your voices and stories are driving change!

Hello KIRC family!

Let’s start this update with a big CONGRATULATIONS and a hearty round of applause for all of YOU!

Why, you ask? Let me explain.

1. Lifting up our voices

Thanks to our voices and input, Keeping It REAL Caregiving has left an imprint on what very well could evolve into additional California state policies impacting caregivers!

This is something to be super proud of!

This week KIRC joined hundreds of others working within the field of aging for the California 4 All Ages & Abilities Day of Action.

The one-day event in Sacramento, focused on a review of the accomplishments of the California Master Plan for Aging (MPA), put in place in 2019 under executive order by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Here’s why this is such a crucial governmental decision:

By 2030, it is estimated California will be home to roughly 10.8 million people over the age of 60. That is almost one-fourth of the state’s population. ~ Source, U.S. Census

This reality impacts everything

  • Housing

  • Health care

  • Transportation

  • Medical services

  • Caregiving

  • Availability of social services

California 4 All Ages & Abilities Day of Action/Sacramento, California September 20, 2022

I am super proud to serve as a member of the Equity in Aging Advisory Committee (EAAC) which is part of the Master Plan for Aging, directed by the California Department of Aging.

Here’s where YOU come in: earlier this year I asked all of you to share with KIRC some of your BIGGEST challenges and hurdles as family caregivers.

I then submitted some of your responses as items which should be considered a ‘priority’ for the EAAC as the MPA moves into 2023 and 2024.

I am happy to report that one of the three recommendations submitted by the EAAC, goes to the heart of what we need as family caregivers!

This is HUGE news and something we can all feel good about. Can I say for certain our input moved the needle? No. But this means the seeds have been planted and are now part of an official recommendation!

Two leading members of the Equity in Aging Advisory Committee took the stage to share these recommendations at this week’s event.

Thank you to Denny Chan, Managing Director, Equity Advocacy, Justice in Aging and Rigo Saborio, Vice President of Programs, Equity and Community Impact for The SCAN Foundation.

2. Highlights from the California 4 All Ages & Abilities Day of Action

A handful of fellow American Society on Aging ASA Rise Fellows who work within the field of aging in California joined the event.

It was such an honor to join – in person – with an impressive group of professionals dedicating their talents to help others.

American Society on Aging ASA Rise Fellows

Ashton Applewhite, a national advocate within the field of aging and the author of “This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism” served as Keynote speaker.

Several of her quotes that stood out for me?

“We are being ageist anytime we judge people on the basis of how old they are and ableist if we judge them on how theirs minds and bodies work”

“If you wake up in the morning, you are aging successfully.”

California Senator Richard Pan, MD (6th District) served for many years as a physician in the field of pediatrics. He also addressed the crowd.

“We have to figure out how to build a more supportive society, seniors are a resource they are not a burden they are resources for our community.”

There are several other positive developments which happened during this event and I’ll share those with you in the next update!

3. We are making impact!

This development is one I am also super excited about.

Because KIRC has been able to work alongside all of you, we have now reached 12-thousand followers to the Julia Yarbough Media Group Facebook page which shares much of the KIRC content!

That means people all over the country are tapping into our growing KIRC family. Which of course means so many more of you are able to tap into information, resources and mutual support as family caregivers.

For those of you wishing a more private interaction, you can request to join the private Keeping It REAL Caregiving Facebook Group. Be sure to answer all the questions for approval.

Again – THANK YOU everyone! Remember, we are all in this together and our voices truly are making an impact. Way to go KIRC family.

Until next time~

Julia