San Benito County Seniors Digest

Almost 15 million Californians have health care coverage through Medi-Cal, a program that stands to lose billions of dollars if Republicans follow through on proposed cuts.

The Newsom administration on Friday is expected to release its next budget proposal. Health care advocates want the governor to fix a Medi-Cal rule that discourages seniors from getting coverage.

These professionals provide essential services, but their pay and working conditions do not reflect their value, and their health suffers.

California’s latest Master Plan for Aging underscores the need for policies to address the challenges aging populations face. But it fails to portray the realities for older adults in rural areas, who are at greater risk of poverty.

Danny Barrera Jr. has some very big shoes to fill: those of Paulina Valdivia, who co-founded Hollister’s Jovenes de Antaño Senior Center in 1975 and ran it until her death in September 2022.

A U.S. Senate committee launched an examination of assisted living, holding its first hearing in two decades on the industry as leaders of both parties expressed concern about the high cost and mixed quality of care facilities.

The number of older adults with disabilities that affect their performance of daily tasks will soar in the decades ahead, as baby boomers enter their 70s, 80s, and 90s.

In a two-hour listening session hosted by BenitoLink, community leaders and residents shared concerns for seniors in San Benito County.

To qualify for Leqembi, patients must undergo a PET scan that looks for amyloid plaques, the protein clumps that clog the brains of many Alzheimer’s patients.

At Jovenes de Antaño Senior Services in Hollister, the loss of founder Paulina Valdivia can still be felt.

Retired California government workers will get tens of thousands of dollars if they give up their long-term care insurance.

Every day, thousands of older Californians can’t afford to stock their pantries. State data reveal that two-thirds of eligible Californians over age 60 do not participate in CalFresh, the state’s food stamp program, even though they qualify.

The Aging & Disability Resource Connection of San Benito County began distributing more than 4,000 free iPads complete with data plans to people over 60, individuals living with a disability, and family caregivers.

Local dignitaries and members of the senior community of San Juan Bautista gathered on Oct. 6 at the St. Francis Retreat to honor the late Mary Sellen by dedicating the new Senior Citizens Center in her name. The center project will be organized under the nonprofit Jovenes de Antaño.

“We are getting more people applying for our help, particularly the nutrition programs and Meals on Wheels,” said Pauline Valdivia, executive director of Jovenes de Antaño del Condado de San Benito.