Hello Empowered Aging Community,
It has been an incredibly busy and productive time for us, and I wanted to personally share some of the recent achievements that highlight the power of our collective advocacy and the strength of our partnerships. From securing vital funding to welcoming a key public official to join us and tour a local long term care facility, we are making meaningful progress in our mission to champion the rights and dignity of older adults.
A Victory for Dignity: Increasing Personal Needs Allowances
For far too long, nursing home residents in California have had to live on a meager personal needs allowance (PNA) that has remained stagnant for decades. This small allowance is often the only money they have for basic, personal items like toiletries, haircuts, and other necessities not covered by their care.
Empowered Aging has been a tireless advocate for change, working to increase the Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) to a level that truly supports the dignity of our seniors. I am personally paying close attention to this vital issue. While our persistent efforts, alongside our partners, have led to an increase in this allowance, our work is not done and currently not enough. I will be sharing pertinent information with the Empowered Aging community, as this is a monumental step forward that proves our voices, when united, can create real and lasting change for the most vulnerable in our community.
A First-Time Grant to Empower the Next Generation
We are thrilled to announce a historic milestone for our organization: the first-ever grant approval from the Kaiser Hospital Fund for Community Benefit Programs at the East Bay Community Foundation. This grant is a tremendous vote of confidence in our work and a significant boost for our MSW Internship Program.
This funding will allow us to expand our capacity to train the next generation of social work professionals. These Master of Social Work (MSW) interns are on the front lines, providing direct services and advocacy to seniors and their families. This investment from the Kaiser Hospital Fund will not only strengthen our program but also help us cultivate a diverse and well-prepared workforce dedicated to the complex needs of our aging population.
Congressman DeSaulnier Sees Our Mission in Action
We were honored to welcome Congressman Mark DeSaulnier to our office for an in-depth look at our Ombudsman Program. Congressman DeSaulnier, a long-time advocate for senior issues, spent time with our team to understand, firsthand, the critical work our ombudsmen do.
Our ombudsman program serves as a lifeline for residents in long-term care facilities, acting as an independent voice for their rights, health, and well-being. By visiting us, the Congressman gained valuable insight into the day-to-day challenges and successes of our work. His visit reaffirms the vital role of our program and underscores the importance of public officials taking a personal interest in the well-being of their most vulnerable constituents.
These recent victories are a testament to the hard work of our staff, the dedication of our volunteers, and the unwavering support of our community partners. Empowered Aging remains committed to fighting for a world where every senior lives with dignity, respect, and a voice.
Thank you for being a part of this journey.
Warmly,
Susannah Meyer
Executive Director, Empowered Aging