A healthy physical and social environment supports healthy aging to promote the mental health of older adults. Social connection is important at this stage of life to improve positive mental health, life satisfaction, and quality of life. Social isolation and loneliness can increase the risk of mental health problems in older adults. Interventions such as support groups, leisure, volunteer programs, and social skills training can reduce depressive symptoms.

In a report, it is estimated that one in eight older adults has a mental illness. Older adult females were likely to have mental illness in comparison to male older adults, who are more likely to have substance abuse. It is reported that only 46% of older adults with mental health illnesses received behavioral health treatment. The number of older adults with mental illness or disorder is expected to double by the year 2030 due to the large aging population.

Somang Society is a non-profit corporation founded in California, USA in June 2007. The mission of Somang Society is “Well Being, Well Aging and Well Dying”. Somang Society values dignity, integrity, and synergy. They have partnered with the University of California Irvine, Alzheimer’s Orange County, Central Carolina Community College, Alzheimer’s Los Angeles, and Chiron Total.

More than 37 million Americans, one in seven adults, have chronic kidney disease, according to the National Kidney Foundation. More than 98,000 Americans are on the national organ transplant waitlist. As reported by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, it is estimated that more than 50 percent of seniors, whose age is over 75, are believed to have kidney disease. In comparison to the general population, kidney disease is more prevalent in those over 60. Older adults or seniors are at more risk of developing kidney diseases.

Los Angeles, California - Ca Care Association - In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month this May 2025, the LA County Grand Park Foundation’s All Skate for Alzheimer’s indoor roller rink will be held at the La County Fair.

The new service levels implement new staffing and consultation hour requirements. Consultation hours will be required even for those who are currently not requiring them. The new sub-codes are based on the service levels for residential facilities. It differentiates facilities that serve five or more individuals and those that serve four or fewer. The number of beds and whether the residential facility is owner-operated or staff-operated will be the basis for the rates.

The ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) is an indicator of functional status. It is a measurement of a person’s functional abilities if there is a need for support and assistance. In this second article, the last three activities of daily living are discussed.

Activities of daily living (ADL) describe the fundamental skills an individual needs to care for himself independently. Those who cannot perform ADL become dependent on others or mechanical devices. Assessing an older adult’s ADL capabilities allows caregivers to know areas where they need support. 

On February 20, the TESOROS x HAPPY ANDRADA: A Fusion of Heritage and Modern Filipino Design was launched in celebration of Tesoro’s 80th anniversary. The fashion show showcased a 15-piece collection made from authentic fabrics such as Inaul, cocoon, piña, piña silk, t’nalak, and inabel.

According to the California Department of Public Health, more people are dying from the flu in California than from COVID-19. As of February 8, the CDC estimates that there were at least 29 million flu cases, 370,000 hospitalizations, and 16,000 deaths from the flu season of the year 2024 to 2025. An infectious disease expert at UCSF, Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, stated that flu activity has reached alarming levels and their hospital is full to the brim.

Most people notice changes in their eyesight when they reach the age of 40. The normal change in the eye’s focusing ability called presbyopia, will continue over time. The four most common age-related eye conditions are glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes-related retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 

According to the California Department of Public Health, heart disease is the leading cause of death in California. In a statistics report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 66,340 deaths due to heart disease were recorded in California. These show how important it is to know about heart health.

On January 8, President Joseph R. Biden declared the existence of a major disaster in the State of California and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires and straight-line winds from January 7, 2025 and continuing.

Photo Credit: Ben Curtis/AP

On December 12, 2024, the Developmental Services Master Plan Committee conducted its meeting and developed five workgroups. The Committee also discussed recommendations for improving the services for individuals with disabilities.

The Community Care Licensing Division released the Manual Letter CCL-25-01 - Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) effective on January 1, 2025. The manual letter includes the regulation package #0423-03 of Sections 87101, 87208, 87219, 87303, 87307, 87309, 87455, 87457, 87458, 87463, 87507, 87606, 87705, 87706, and 87707.

Los Angeles, California — Ca Care Association — In response to the recent devastating wildfire in Los Angeles, Ca Care Association has made the decision to postpone its upcoming breakfast event. This decision comes after careful consideration of the immediate needs of those affected by the disaster.

On Tuesday, Palisades was destroyed by a wildfire covering nearly 20,000 acres. On Tuesday night, the Eaton Fire ignited the northern part of Los Angeles and is the second biggest fire in the area burning 13, 690 acres. Another fire erupted on Tuesday night, the Hurst Fire, which started as a brush fire and expanded, destroying 771 acres. On Wednesday afternoon, the Lidia Fire broke out and grew into 670 acres. On Thursday, a new fire named as the Kenneth Fire started and covered 960 acres.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Ethan Swope

The Community Care Licensing Division released PIN 24-08-ASC detailing the legislation chaptered in 2024 that affects licensed Adult and Senior Care Facilities. The changes to the statutes will operate starting on January 1, 2025. 

California’s residential services rate reform represents a shift for developmental disabilities providers. By optimizing the rate-setting process, standardizing service requirements, and incentivizing quality through the Quality Incentive Program, the reform aims to enhance the sustainability, quality, and transparency of community-based services. Here's what providers need to know to navigate the transition effectively.