LeadingAge California

Founded in 1961, LeadingAge California is the state's leading advocate for quality, not-for-profit senior living and care. The association's advocacy, educational programs and public relations help its members best serve the needs of more than 100,000 of the state's older adults. LeadingAge California represents more than 400 nonprofit providers of senior living and care - including affordable housing, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living, skilled-nursing, and home and community- based care; as well as our business partners and residents. Beginning as California Association of Homes for the Aging (CAHA), the association later included "services" in its name to reflect the changing needs and goals of its members. In 2006, as options for senior living and care began to expand, California Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (CAHSA) became Aging Services of California, then in 2013 became LeadingAge California. In the first two decades of the new millennium, the number of Californians over the age of 65 is projected to double to more than 6.5 million. Every facet of life in the state will be impacted - from politics and public services to the economy and healthcare. This changing, aging demographic also requires that society view such disparate issues as the workforce, housing, transportation, insurance, safety and particularly long-term care in a new context with an older perspective. The goal of LeadingAge California is to help develop progressive and innovative strategies for Californians to age well into the future. Paramount concerns in aging services include providing more options for care; continuity, accessibility and flexibility of services; reasonable and secure financing; affordable senior housing; healthcare; education and training programs and research and technological advances - in general, ensuring all of us can age independently and with dignity. Our national partner, LeadingAge, is an association of 6,000 not for profit organizations dedicated to expanding the world of possibilities for aging. Together, we advance policies, promote practices and conduct research that supports, enables and empowers people to live fully as they age.