Senior News April, 2002 Vol. 21. No.  4

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Elderhostel: April program features familiar "house mother"

Commission on Aging to convene rural meeting in Eureka

CSL Election: Attend a forum and vote for your candidate

Senior News: Ad manager says "so long"

Volunteer outreach: Gail Gai has connected people for 25 years

Why I love to volunteer

Through Friday April 12: Tax preparation assistance

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Commission on Aging to convene rural meeting in Eureka

The California Commission on Aging (CCoA) will hold the first of its planned regional meetings in Eureka April 9 and 10.

Commission Chair John J. Horak announced that the CCoA has set meetings and public discussions throughout California during the next 18 months.

"In order for the commission to advise the governor and state legislature about senior issues, the commission wants to hear from seniors, community leaders, elected officials and provider agencies across California," Horak said. "We are excited about convening the first of these field meetings in Eureka where the overall theme will focus on senior issues unique to the rural area."

Mary Dennison of Eureka who serves as a gubernatorial appointee on the commission, expressed enthusiasm for the April meeting. "Our senior population is growing. I am encouraging anyone interested in senior issues to attend and make your voice known to the Commission."

In addition to a review of how the California State Plan on Aging is implemented in conjunction with the work of the Area Agency on Aging, four specific subject areas will receive attention:

* Senior health: alcoholism and the elderly and senior oral health needs
* Transportation: gaps in services and how the community can address the gaps
* Housing: affordable and accessible housing
* Planning: what the state must do to prepare for a rapidly growing diversified senior population

"Everyone who has an interest in senior related issues should attend the public discussion portion of the Commission's meeting," said Sandi Fitzpatrick, director of the local Area Agency on Aging. "Let's fill up the Eureka Inn and make our voices heard." The public discussion portion of the meeting will begin at 9 a.m., Wednesday, April 10 at the Eureka Inn.

The California Commission on Aging is composed of 25 commissioners appointed by the governor and legislature. Their role, under state statute, is to advise the governor, state legislature, state departments and agencies on senior related issues. They serve as the advisory body to the California Department of Aging and are considered the principal advocate in California on behalf of the state's more than four million seniors. The Commission also has administrative responsibility for the Triple A Council of California (TACC), the association of Area Agencies on Aging, and the California Senior Legislature (CSL).

Mary Dennison is also the Senior Senator on the California Senior Legislature representing Humboldt and Del Norte counties. If you have any questions about the April 10 meeting, please contact her at 707-442-3164.