August has a way of asking us to look ahead. Kids are heading back to school, the weather starts to shift, and many of us begin thinking about what the rest of the year holds. This month, our theme is Planning for the Future and I can’t think of a more fitting time to talk about it.
Planning ahead doesn’t mean expecting the worst. It means giving yourself and your loved ones room to make thoughtful decisions instead of rushed ones. Whether that’s understanding long-term care options, thinking through retirement and asset planning, or simply learning what resources exist before you need them, a little preparation now can save a lot of stress later.
I’m also thrilled to share that we’ve secured our Legacy Sponsor for this year’s Aging Well Symposium and Resource Fair on October 3rd. More on that below.
As always, thank you for being part of this community. We’re honored to walk this journey with you.
Warmly,
Luz Johnson, Founder
Aging Well of CA
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Event time: 9am-2:00pm PST
at the Orangevale Community Center, 6826 Hazel Avenue, Orangevale. This free community event brings together older adults, caregivers, and trusted local resources for a full day of education, connection, and support.
Registration is open for our biggest event of the year! This free community event brings together older adults, caregivers, and trusted local resources for a day of education, connection, and support. Attending is completely free, but we ask that you register in advance so we can plan accordingly.
We’re excited to share that our Legacy Sponsor spot for this year’s Symposium has been claimed! Thank you to the organization stepping up to help make this event possible! If you are a business and want to become a sponsor, check out our Partnering with Aging Well section of this newsletter for the full details.
We want to hear from you! As we build the program for the 2026 Aging Well Symposium, we are inviting attendees to submit topic suggestions for consideration. Is there a caregiving challenge, resource, or question you have been wanting to explore? This is your chance to help shape the conversation.
Long-term care planning is one of the most important and most misunderstood parts of aging well. Many families assume long-term care is only needed late in life or only after a major health crisis. In reality, planning for care should begin long before it is needed, allowing families to make thoughtful decisions rather than reacting under pressure.
Long-term care includes a wide range of services designed to support individuals who need help with daily activities. This may include assistance with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication management, or supervision due to cognitive decline. Care can be provided in the home, in assisted living communities, memory care facilities, or skilled nursing settings. Each option comes with different costs, levels of support, and emotional considerations.
One of the biggest challenges families face is understanding how care is paid for. Many people are surprised to learn that traditional health insurance and Medicare typically do not cover long-term custodial care. As a result, families often rely on a combination of personal savings, income, insurance, and public benefits to fund care.
Long-term care insurance is one option that can help offset costs, but it must usually be purchased well before care is needed. Policies vary widely in coverage, benefits, and eligibility requirements, making early education and careful evaluation essential. For families without insurance, planning becomes even more critical to avoid rapid depletion of assets.
Public assistance programs may also play a role. Veterans benefits, state assistance programs, and needs-based coverage can provide support, but eligibility rules are complex and timing matters. Waiting until a crisis occurs can limit options and increase stress for caregivers.
Equally important is planning for the emotional impact of care decisions. Families often struggle with guilt, fear, and uncertainty when deciding when to bring in outside help or consider placement. Planning early allows loved ones to participate in decisions and express preferences, preserving dignity and autonomy.
Long-term care planning is not about expecting the worst. It is about creating flexibility, protecting choices, and reducing fear for both individuals and families. By understanding care options and funding strategies in advance, families can navigate aging with confidence, compassion, and stability.
For many California families, the cost of long-term care becomes a major concern as health needs increase. Assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing can be expensive, and many people worry about how to pay for care without losing everything they have worked for. Medi-Cal planning plays an important role in Aging Well, helping families understand how care may be funded while protecting dignity and stability.
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program and is often the primary payer for long-term skilled nursing care. Unlike Medicare, which focuses on short-term medical treatment, Medi-Cal can cover ongoing custodial care for individuals who meet eligibility requirements. However, qualifying for Medi-Cal involves strict financial and asset rules that families must understand well before a crisis occurs.
Asset protection planning is not about hiding money or doing something improper. It is about understanding the rules and making informed decisions early. Families often assume they must spend everything down before help is available, but that is not always true. The timing of planning, the type of assets owned, and how assets are titled can all affect eligibility.
California has specific rules regarding income, countable assets, and exemptions. Certain assets, such as a primary residence or personal belongings, may be treated differently than cash or investment accounts. Without planning, families may unintentionally disqualify themselves or delay care options when they are needed most.
Caregivers are often placed in a difficult position when Medi-Cal planning has not been addressed. They may be forced to make rushed decisions during a health crisis, increasing stress and emotional strain. Early planning allows families to explore options calmly, understand tradeoffs, and avoid unnecessary mistakes.
It is also important to understand that Medi-Cal planning should be coordinated with broader estate and financial planning. Decisions made to qualify for benefits can have long-term consequences for inheritance, taxes, and family goals.
Medi-Cal and asset protection planning are complex, but they are also empowering. When families understand the rules and plan ahead, they gain options instead of limitations — allowing caregivers and loved ones to focus on care, comfort, and quality of life rather than financial uncertainty.
Gardening is more than a hobby—it is a meaningful activity that supports physical health, emotional well-being, and social connection for older adults and caregivers alike. Whether tending a backyard plot, container garden, or participating in a community garden, gardening offers a gentle, purposeful way to stay active while nurturing something living and growing.
For older adults, gardening provides low-impact physical movement that supports strength, flexibility, and coordination. Tasks such as planting, watering, pruning, or harvesting encourage natural bending, stretching, and hand use — all while maintaining mobility and reducing stiffness. Being outdoors also supports vitamin D exposure, improved mood, and better sleep.
Caregivers benefit too. Gardening offers a calming, restorative outlet and a sense of control and accomplishment that caregiving demands can sometimes take away. It can also be a shared activity, giving caregivers and loved ones time together that isn’t centered on health concerns.
Gardening engages multiple senses, making it especially beneficial for cognitive health. For individuals with memory loss or dementia, familiar plants, flowers, or herbs can spark recognition and comfort. Community gardens add a powerful social component, bringing people together around a shared goal.
Gardening can be adapted to nearly any ability level. Raised garden beds reduce the need for bending, container gardening allows participants to garden from a seated position, and indoor options like houseplants or herb pots work well when outdoor space is limited.
A few practical tips: start small with just a few plants, choose low-maintenance options like herbs or succulents, use adaptive tools such as lightweight equipment or kneeling pads, garden together to encourage conversation, and celebrate small milestones like a first harvest or bloom.
Gardening supports Aging Well by fostering movement, mindfulness, and meaning — a reminder that growth is still possible at every stage of life.
Game and social clubs provide older adults and caregivers with an easy, enjoyable way to stay mentally active while building meaningful social connections. These clubs center around simple activities—such as cards, board games, trivia, puzzles, or group games—that encourage interaction without physical strain or emotional pressure. For families navigating aging or caregiving, game-based gatherings offer lighthearted connection in an environment where everyone can participate.
For older adults, game clubs support cognitive engagement. Activities involving memory, strategy, problem-solving, or quick thinking help stimulate the brain and may support mental sharpness over time. Games also reinforce routine and structure, giving participants something to look forward to each week.
Caregivers benefit just as much. Game clubs offer a chance to relax and enjoy others without heavy conversation, shifting focus away from caregiving tasks and toward shared enjoyment. Laughter, friendly competition, and teamwork provide real emotional relief.
Common formats include card games like rummy or Uno, board games such as Scrabble or dominoes, group trivia, bingo, and jigsaw puzzle clubs. Groups can be designed for caregivers and loved ones together, or offer parallel participation so people of different cognitive or energy levels can still take part side by side.
For individuals with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia, familiar games can provide a sense of competence and comfort, even when rules are simplified. Games also help reinforce hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
A few tips for getting started: choose inclusive games without overly complex rules, offer adaptations like larger print cards or simplified rules, keep groups small to encourage conversation, and focus on fun rather than winning.
Game and social clubs support Aging Well by fostering connection, cognitive engagement, and joy — proof that meaningful interaction doesn’t have to be complicated.
Medication management is one of the most critical responsibilities caregivers take on, and it is also one of the most complex. Many care recipients take multiple prescriptions from different providers, increasing the risk of missed doses, incorrect timing, or dangerous drug interactions. Even small errors can lead to serious health consequences.
Creating a clear medication system is essential. Caregivers should maintain an up-to-date medication list that includes the name of each medication, dosage, timing, purpose, and prescribing provider — reviewed regularly and brought to every medical appointment. Pill organizers, reminder alarms, or smartphone apps can help ensure medications are taken correctly and consistently.
Medication needs often change over time. Regular medication reviews with physicians or pharmacists help identify unnecessary medications, duplications, or interactions. Pharmacists, in particular, can be valuable partners in spotting potential risks that may be overlooked during brief medical visits.
Medical coordination goes beyond prescriptions. Caregivers frequently act as the central communicator among primary care doctors, specialists, therapists, and home health providers. Keeping each provider informed helps prevent conflicting treatment plans and ensures continuity of care.
Transitions in care, such as hospital discharges or changes in providers, are especially vulnerable times for medication errors. Reviewing instructions carefully and asking clarifying questions can prevent mistakes during these transitions.
While medication management can feel overwhelming, strong organizational systems make the process safer and more manageable. Clear routines reduce stress, protect health, and allow caregivers to focus more fully on providing attentive, compassionate support to their loved one.
The ALS Association is here for California families navigating an ALS diagnosis — offering free, personalized support every step of the way. Local Care Coordinators help people understand their options and connect quickly to resources, while tools like My ALS Journey™ help families know what to plan for and what questions to ask before they arise.
Support extends to caregivers too, with education, virtual home safety assessments, communication tools, durable medical equipment loans, and guidance navigating insurance and financial decisions — every service offered at no cost. With regional teams across Northern and Southern California and certified treatment centers statewide, help is closer than families often realize.
Learn more or connect with a local care coordinator at 916-979-9265.
No sponsor events are on the calendar this month, but that’s about to change. We’re actively welcoming new sponsors and partner organizations to feature their events right here starting soon. If your organization has an upcoming event, workshop, or resource you’d like the Aging Well community to know about, reach out to events@agingwellca.com to learn more.
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 9am–2pm PST
Location: Orangevale Community Center, 6826 Hazel Avenue, Orangevale, CA 95662
With our Legacy Sponsor spot now filled, this year’s Resource Fair is quickly taking shape. Table-level and vendor sponsorships are still open, giving your business a seat in the room with 100+ caregivers, seniors, and healthcare professionals who are actively looking for services like yours. It’s one of the most direct connections you can make with our community all year. Every table-level sponsorship and above includes a $250 donation split between Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center and the Orangevale Parks & Rec Senior Program. Spots are limited to three businesses per month, so don’t wait.
Each month, this newsletter reaches caregivers, seniors, and healthcare professionals in the middle of real decisions about care, housing, finances, and wellness. They’re not scrolling past. They’re looking for someone they trust. Newsletter sponsorship puts your business into that conversation with a 250–400 word article in your voice, matched to the month’s theme, plus your logo and event listing every issue. Options start at $100 for a single event listing, $300 for a six-month cycle, or $550 for full-year visibility. Only three spots available per month, first-come, first-served.
Looking for trusted information on caregiving, aging, and senior services? Our Resource page has you covered. From expert video conversations with senior industry professionals to past newsletters packed with practical guidance, everything you need is just one click away. Whether you are a caregiver navigating a new challenge or a family member looking for answers, these tools are here to support you every step of the way.
