Palliative care and advance care planning have important roles in the care of older adults and persons with disabilities. As development of California’s Master Plan for Aging (MPA) continues, the palliative care community has an opportunity to help ensure that the Master Plan fully addresses the needs of those with serious illness. The Master Plan will serve as a blueprint for state government, local communities, private organizations, and philanthropy to build environments that promote an age-friendly California.

The MPA Stakeholder Advisory Committee, which CCCC CEO Judy Thomas serves on as the voice of the palliative care community, meets monthly. The focus of the Advisory Committee’s March 2 meeting was to discuss the MPA recommendations related to long-term supports and services. Silvia Austerlic, who has a background in hospice and the Latino community, serves on the MPA Equity Work Group.

The MPA’s Stakeholder Advisory Committee is currently working on their recommendations for MPA Goal Areas 2 (Livable Communities & Purpose), 3 (Health & Well-Being), and 4 (Economic Security & Safety). These recommendations will be formally presented in May. To ensure that your input is heard during this important phase of the MPA planning process, we strongly encourage you to submit your comments and policy recommendations by March 19 through the Together We EngAGE website.

The CDA recently unveiled additional tools for public engagement, including the Together We EngAGE website and monthly “Webinar Wednesdays” — an informative and interactive series of webinars addressing a variety of aging-related topics that will inform the development of the Master Plan for Aging.

Gov. Newsom’s executive order set an October 1, 2020, deadline for the plan to be completed.