California is on the cusp of a demographic shift that will see its older adult population grow and diversify significantly over the next 10 years. California health centers, with their deep-rooted history of providing comprehensive and culturally competent care to diverse communities and their responsibility as essential primary care providers to Medi-Cal enrollees and the uninsured, will likely play a pivotal role in ensuring that older adults with low incomes in California receive the holistic, integrated, and person-centered care they deserve.

In November 2023, CHCF launched a seven-month effort that convened health center thought leaders and innovators to explore the role of California health centers in serving older adults with low incomes. Through a series of interactive sessions, the Strategies for Older Adult Services Task Force articulated a 10-year vision for a sustainable role for California health centers in caring for older adults with low incomes, as well as a road map describing strategies and steps to advance the vision.

The resulting vision and road map are intended to inform planning and collaboration among California health center and regional consortia leaders, Medi-Cal managed care plan partners, California aging and health state agencies, and other older-adult stakeholders committed to improving the care and health outcomes of California’s older adults with low incomes.