County Consolidates Two Long-Standing Aging Advisory Bodies

 

 

County of Los Angeles

Community and Senior Services Department

 

For Immediate Release   

 

                                                               Contact: Patricia Senette (213) 738-2065

September 21, 2010                                                                             

                                                                                                           

 

LA COUNTY LAUNCHES NEWLY FORMED

COMMISSION FOR OLDER ADULTS

 

 

LOS ANGELES – September 21, 2010 – The launch of the Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults (LACCOA) was announced by Cynthia D. Banks, Director of Community and Senior Services Department.   The new body is charged with advocating for the needs and well-being of Los Angeles County’s older adults.

 

            Under the guidance of an appointed transition team, the former Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council and the former Los Angeles County Commission on Aging were given one year to consolidate into one body. The result is a cost-efficient and streamlined commission that will assist in ensuring the health, dignity and the rights of seniors.

 

            “LA County has the largest concentration of adults over the age of 60 of any county in the nation, currently exceeding that of 43 states,” says Banks.  “The figure now stands at approximately 1,300,000 seniors and is expected to double by the year 2030. We believed that the creation of one united body will eliminate duplication of efforts and significantly strengthen the Commission’s ability to advocate for the needs of our rapidly growing older population.”

 

            The officers elected to serve for LACCOA’s first year are Bernard Weintraub, President; Aida M. Villalobos, 1^st Vice President; Peter J. McGrath, 2^nd Vice President; David S. Siegrist, Secretary; and Barbara Sinclair, Fiscal Officer.  Says Weintraub, “I am very honored to have been elected President at this exciting and critical time.  Not only do we need to address the needs and issues of the County’s current   older seniors; we need to assist in preparing for the tidal wave of aging boomers who will require different programs and services than are currently available.”

 

            LACCOA will have a maximum of 50 commissioners, 10 representing each of the five supervisorial districts. The structure of the new commission includes an Executive Committee and six standing committees: Area Plan; Communications; Health, Nutrition, and Long-Term Care; Housing and Transportation; Legislative and Advocacy; and Membership.

 

            “Because of the significant increase in LA County’s senior population the reformation of LACCOA has provided us with the ability to better understand the issues that are impacting and will continue to impact older adults,” adds Banks.  “It will also enable us to provide improved programs and services when the need arises and to do so as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

 

            For more information about the Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults, please call Larry Littleton at 213-351-5274, or e-mail llittleton@css.lacounty.gov

 

 

 

 

 

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Patricia Senette-Holt

Public Information Officer

     

      "We Save Lives"

Communuty and Senior Services

County of Los Angeles

3175 West 6th Street, Suite 302

Los Angeles, CA 90020

213.738.2065 office
213.280.4144 Cell
213.380.8275 Fax
mailto:psenette@css.lacounty.gov