Journalists across California are taking a look at California's aging population as a part of the California Dream collaboration's Graying California project.
As a part of the project, CapRadio reporters Sammy Caiola and Julia Mitric profiled three California seniors who are dealing with what it means to age in the Golden State.
Mitric met couple Alan Haight and Jo McProud, who were struggling with how to retire without watching their organic farm whither away. They decided that they can work with a younger farmer to retire and lease the property to someone who can take over the work, a win for all involved.
Caiola wrote about the first wave of seniors who have lived through the AIDS epidemic. They are now growing old, often without family or social support.
LGBTQ adults are less likely to be married or have children than their heterosexual peers, and many are concerned about finding supportive housing and medical care as they age. Advocates say the need for more LGBTQ-friendly facilities should be factored into California’s master plan for aging. We’ll meet a gay senior, who wants to stay in his own home, and who’s thinking about his future.
We talk with Mitric and Caiola about their reporting and what you can expect from the rest of the project.