Choice in Aging

“Great evils are not resolved by alleviating a collective error. Take the case of woman’s emancipation: it is not a question of giving women a few more rights, but of recognizing a human personality full of vigor, capable of giving a great and sure contribution to the progress of humanity.” – Maria Montessori Happy #InternationalWomensDay! ??

?? Sharing from the #ContraCostaCounty #AreaAgencyOnAging! "Bring your questions. We have answers. Learn about community resources from the Information & Assistance staff." Friday, March 14 ? 9-10 AM Antioch Senior Center 415 W 2nd Street Antioch, CA 94509

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." – Helen Keller We'd like to wish a very happy #EmployeeAppreciationDay to all of our incredible staff members! Thank you for your hard work and dedication that ensures the people we serve are able to live independently with dignity and joy! ??

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible support that made our 50th Annual Crab Feed an unforgettable success! Thanks to our 30 sponsors, 130+ dedicated volunteers, 115+ in-kind donors, and 350 generous guests, we are thrilled to announce that we have raised a record-breaking $235,000 for our organization! In addition to making a huge dent in bridging the funding gap we experience in providing services to Veterans, Medicaid beneficiaries, and elders on fixed incomes, our event brought together THIRTY EIGHT of our elected officials and policy makers, all of whom are committed to ensuring that elders and disabled adults can live in community with dignity. This proves our event is much more than just a fundraiser; it's a true celebration of community and care!! Your generosity changes lives! It ensures that our elders and individuals with disabilities can continue to receive the vital services they need to live as independently as possible with dignity and joy, while their caregivers receive the much-needed respite they deserve. Thank you for showing marginalized people that they matter and are loved! View Event Photo Album: https://lnkd.in/g6KDvBiz ?? Presenting Sponsor: Pacific Gas and Electric Company ?? Legend Sponsor: EquitiFy, LLC ?? Star Sponsors: Angie & Pete Coffee, Karen & Roger Douglas, Heffernan Insurance Brokers, John Muir Health, Fiona Ma, and Skinworx ?? Glam Cam Sponsor: Comcast ?? Timeless Tavern Sponsor: 24/7 Nightingale Home Care ?? Celebrity Sponsors: Contra Costa Transportation Authority, Faith Lutheran Church, Heritage Bank of Commerce, Kaiser Permanente, Shirley Krohn, and Dr. Dexter & Pat Louie ?? Powder Room Sponsors: Aging Care Concierge and Care Placement Advisors ?? VIP Sponsors: Jennifer Allen & Emily Barnett, Marc & Kathy Berger, Bowen & Gray Families, David & Manny Bowlby, Disability Rights California, The Grevenworth Family, Tim & Cara Hoxie, Dr. Sara K. Levin, MD, Mechanics Bank, Sue & Charlie Noack, Republic Services, and Vital Link Medical Alert Systems

At Choice in Aging, we’re not only here for our participants, but for their superhero caregivers as well. That's why we're proud to offer free monthly support groups for caregivers and their families, in addition to free online training courses tailored to caregivers in congregate settings. Today, we celebrate and honor the selfless dedication of all caregivers! Happy National #CaregiverAppreciationDay! Learn More: https://lnkd.in/ggmVVwKE

“As women achieve power, the barriers will fall. As society sees what women can do, as women see what women can do, there will be more women out there doing things, and we’ll all be better off for it.” – Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Address to the 16th Annual Olin Conference: Women in Power, November 14, 1990 Happy #WomensHistoryMonth! ??

Wishing you a blessed #Ramadan! May the holiday bring you health, peace, and joy. ?? #RamadanMubarak

#StaffSpotlight: Meet Megan Last year, Choice in Aging (CiA) was honored to be selected by CalAIM to participate in their Enhanced Care Management (ECM) Program in partnership with Contra Costa County Health Plan (CCHP), and we were fortunate to find the perfect Lead Care Manager — Megan. Megan brought a wealth of experience in serving low-income seniors, having worked with Sequoia Senior Living, the Institute on Aging, and other agencies throughout her college years and early career. After earning her Master’s Degree in Gerontology, she spent five and a half years with Alameda County’s Adult Protective Services (APS). Her passion for mission-driven work ultimately brought her back to the nonprofit sector, where she joined Choice in Aging to lead the ECM team. While Megan’s clients meet the criteria for skilled nursing-level care or are at risk of placement in a skilled nursing facility, her case management encompasses both clinical and non-clinical support. CalAIM takes a person-centered, holistic approach to health care, aiming to improve client health outcomes while reducing emergency room visits. Megan begins by conducting a thorough assessment, working closely with each individual to develop personalized goals and craft a tailored care plan. She identifies essential support services — such as medically tailored meals, in-home support, transportation, and community health care resources — to promote their safety and success. According to Megan, many of her clients “have no one else, and I am someone they can call when they need extra help.” Navigating the complexities of the system, including extensive paperwork, can be overwhelming, often leading participants to feel discouraged. Megan steps in as their advocate, ensuring they receive the assistance they need while empowering them to maintain their autonomy. “My clients are always happy to see me. I have always loved working with seniors — they are not only my passion but also my family’s,” Megan shares. “My twin sister and I have always followed similar career paths. We attended graduate school together, worked at every job together, and even both served at APS. I left for CiA’s ECM program, and just a few months later, she joined Contra Costa County’s ECM.” ECM provides eligible members of the Contra Costa Health Plan, a Medi-Cal managed care health plan, with additional support services at no cost. The program addresses both clinical and non-clinical needs by coordinating services and delivering comprehensive care management. These benefits are provided as part of Medi-Cal coverage and do not replace or reduce any existing benefits. To learn more about our ECM program, contact us at (925) 491-9001 or visit: https://lnkd.in/gztGy5Yh

#ParticipantSpotlight: Meet Douglas 91-year-old Douglas lives independently in his own apartment. Seeking more socialization and purpose in his day, he followed his primary care physician’s suggestion to enroll at our Mt. Diablo Center (MDC). Douglas shares, “It’s a great way for me to meet new people, and the biggest benefit is knowing that when I wake up, I have somewhere to go — just like a real job.” He believes MDC provides a sense of community, helping people feel less alone. The center’s structured days complement his independent spirit, allowing him to engage in activities like gardening and art. “There are people with diverse interests, but the staff are very dedicated and enthusiastic,” he says. No longer able to drive and relying on Social Security, Douglas has faced isolation and significant challenges. That changed when he was introduced to our CalAIM Enhanced Care Management (ECM) program at Mt. Diablo Center (MDC). There, he met ECM Lead Care Manager Megan, and after a conversation with her, he decided to enroll. Douglas knew the services would be valuable and would help improve his quality of life. Getting rides to appointments, the grocery store, or simply going on outings can be difficult. Like many, he finds the cost of food “terrible” and often prohibitive, so Megan is assisting him with groceries. More than anything, Douglas struggles with loneliness. Thanks to MDC and the ECM program, he has found a true sense of community. He enjoys getting out of his apartment to spend time with what he fondly calls his “quasi family.” Douglas wants to feel needed and valued, and thankfully, his “friend” Megan is always there to check in, offer support, and connect him with the resources he needs to maintain his independence.

A letter from our President & CEO: "'Tis the season to be crabby! Okay, maybe not for those with shellfish allergies, but for our 350 attendees and more than 100 volunteers that will be joining us for our agency’s largest annual fundraiser this Friday, it sure will be crabby, and I cannot wait! We all need a lot of community building and joy right now with so much amiss in our world. Between the devastation of the fires, plane crashes, so many people losing jobs and so many potential cuts to programs that support our most vulnerable, it is just a really tough time. I get asked by staff, by colleagues, and by my children about what I think is going to happen in this very uncertain time. And the truth is, I simply don’t know. What I do know is we have an incredible community, and we are plugged into Aging and Disability networks that are on the front lines in DC gathering information and disseminating it, organizing, and educating. The best we can do right now is continue to provide the love and support to those we serve while remaining educated, vigilant, and prepared to advocate if necessary. My suggestion to those who ask, is find sources you trust that will keep you abreast of the things that mean the most to you, pour your love into the things that matter most to you, and take time to rest and recharge, so you are ready to pivot at any given moment if needed. Finally, I like to spend each morning meditating on my intention and gratitude. I find that centering my day opening with gratitude makes me a better human. Today, I am grateful to all of you who are sharing this time and space with Choice in Aging and supporting the work we do to create opportunities for people to learn, grow, and age independently with dignity in community. Thank you!"