California Department of Aging Launches First Statewide Survey to Hear from Older Adults
August 15, 2024
The Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA) is Available for All Californians Aged 55 and Older to Help Shape the Future of Aging in California
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Department of Aging (CDA) has launched the first-ever statewide assessment for Californians aged 55 and older to share their voices, the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA). The assessment is designed to gather critical information about how older adult strengths and needs will impact community planning throughout the state.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: Assessment results will help California develop and further establish programs, services, and supports that are inclusive and responsive to the strengths and needs of older adults. Printed letters and postcards in English and Spanish were mailed to select participants chosen at random across the state. All Californians aged 55 and older can now participate in the survey online in nine languages at https://polco.us/californiaopen23.
"This survey offers older Californians a unique platform to articulate their present and future service needs, and it’s an opportunity for CDA to hear from older adults in every area of the state," said Susan DeMarois, Director of the California Department of Aging. "By engaging in this survey, older adults are collectively molding the blueprint for future planning and program development. This is another important example of California's commitment to deliver personcentered services to meet older adults' evolving needs, as outlined in our Master Plan for Aging."
THE CASOA MEASURES SIX COMMUNITY DIMENSIONS:
- Community Design
- Employment and Finances
- Equity and Inclusivity
- Health and Wellness
- Information and Assistance
- Productive Activities
BIGGER PICTURE: The CASOA takes a central position as part of Initiative 73 in the 2023-24 Master Plan for Aging Initiatives. The initiative calls for CDA to, "Conduct California’s first-ever statewide baseline consumer satisfaction survey to amplify the older adult voice and ensure equity and inclusion of all perspectives, including geography, race, ethnicity, income, sexual orientation, gender identification, age, and ability." Aligned with the objectives of Goal 3 of the Master Plan for Aging, known as "Equity & Inclusion, Not Isolation," this initiative blends established practices with new approaches to better serve the varied needs of older adults across the state. The CASOA operates within this framework, contributing significantly to the Master Plan's aspiration of creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for aging Californians.
ALL CALIFORNIANS AGED 55 AND OLDER ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE: The assessment is available in an ADA-compliant online format in nine languages: English, Spanish, Chinese Cantonese, Chinese Mandarin, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Hindi, and Arabic. The deadline for online submissions is August 28, 2023. Visit https://aging.ca.gov/Community_Assessment_Survey_For_Older_Adults/ for more information and to take the survey.
The California Department of Aging (CDA), part of the California Health & Human Services Agency, administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the State. CDA actively collaborates with many State departments and other entities on transportation, housing and accessibility, emergency preparedness and response, wellness and nutrition, falls and injury prevention, improving services to persons with dementia, reducing fraud and abuse, and many other issues. To learn more, visit www.aging.ca.gov.