California is set to see a rapid increase in older adults over the next decade when 20 percent of the population will be over age 65. This population will be more diverse than at any other time in CA history. The estimated 4.5 million unpaid family members are the largest long-term workforce caring for older and disabled adults. The state needs to expand support to family caregivers so adults needing assistance can remain in the community and family caregivers can get the services they need to work, car, and thrive.
The California Caregiver Resource Center (CRC) system supporting unpaid family caregivers requests a budget increase of $10M per year over the next 3 years to expand and retool the system to recognize the changing demographics of California family caregivers and the complexity of care needed by their family members.