Older Adults/Seniors
August 2024, Newsletter
Read Joe's op-ed on youth mental health, learn about support for Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley and Hakone Gardens, as well as ways you can engage and participate at community events for allcove Palo Alto, a special Health & Hospital Committee meeting on ME/CFS and Sidewalk Office Hours at local farmers' markets. 2020 was quite a year so there is a lot of Joe History instead of a little.
Supervisors help older adults “age in place”
Supervisor Simitian champions funding for local non-profit Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley to help older adults who live District Five and want to age in place. Building affordable housing costs 26 times more than rehabilitating or repairing an existing home.
July 2024, Newsletter
Read Joe's guest column on making camp more inclusive for everyone, support for mental health access for older adults and County grants proposed by Joe to address homelessness in Cupertino, Mountain View and Los Gatos.
County allocates federal funds for West Valley older adults and families
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to continue support for projects serving adults, older adults, and families with lower incomes in the West Valley. Funding for these services was approved as part of the County’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan for use of federal funds from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Act programs.
Supervisors look to expand mental health access for older adults
Following a request from Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Susan Ellenberg and County Supervisor Joe Simitian to improve access to mental health services for older adults, the Board unanimously supported a series of recommendations from the County’s Behavioral Health Department. The recommendations include enhancing existing safety net programs, expanding suicide prevention efforts, and improving wait times for cognitive assessments.
County supervisors push support for caregivers
As a result of the Adult Caregiver Study, Santa Clara County will establish resources to address the shortage of resources and support in adult caregiving. Resources include establishing a caregiver information and referral workgroup, a direct care registry, and an Adult Day Program and Adult Day Health Care program subsidy.
2023: Looking back and forward in the West Valley and North County. Let’s work together in the new year!
In 2023, the Office of County Supervisor Joe Simitian made real progress on issues championed related to health care, affordable housing, land use, education, community safety, and support for seniors and people with developmental disabilities — to the benefit of folks in District Five and countywide.
November 2023, Newsletter
Read about support for County veterans, older adult mental healthcare access and a "coming soon" emergency shelter for families and individuals. Also learn about local events, the availability of COVID-19 vaccines and some Joe History.
County Supervisors seek mental health access for older adults
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved a proposal aiming to assess and respond to older adult mental health needs in the County. County staff will analyze programs currently available for older adults to access mental health care, and provide recommendations on how those programs can better address the unique challenges older adults are facing.
Giving caregivers the care – and resources – they/we need
Caregivers — whether a family member, a community volunteer, or paid helpers — provide life-enhancing, indeed often life-saving, in-home support. Finding capable, compassionate care is a concern for many here in Santa Clara County, especially now.