Los Gatos gets $125K county grant to support seniors
Funds will go toward adult day programs and case management.
As the senior population in Santa Clara County outpaces the rest of the state, towns like Los Gatos are gearing up to support these numbers.
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors recently awarded Los Gatos $125,000 to help with that effort. The grant will go to support programs at Live Oak Adult Day Services for both seniors and their caregivers. Seniors are provided with an individualized care plan, activities and supervision while caregivers get a respite and can go to work.
“Our county’s population is aging at a faster rate than the rest of the nation, and that’s certainly true in Los Gatos,” said County Supervisor Joe Simitian, who represents the town. “We’ve got to start developing these programs and services now if we’re going to meet the needs of this growing population.”
In Los Gatos, seniors already make up more than 20% of the population, according to the US Census Bureau. Tom Picraux, who spearheaded the creation of the town’s senior services roadmap, said that number will increase to a third within the next decade.
Recent census data shows a graying of the Bay Area across the board, with a 38% spike in the region’s senior population over the last 10 years. Santa Clara County specifically is due to have adults over age 65 outnumber youth under age 18 by the year 2030.
“I am delighted that the county has awarded $125,000 to Los Gatos to help support the recently reopened Live Oak Adult Day Services in Los Gatos and to establish part-time case management assistance to those in need,” Picraux said in an emailed statement. “Both of these areas are high priority near-term needs identified in our recently completed Los Gatos Senior Services Roadmap.”
The roadmap outlines policy and infrastructure changes needed to support the town’s senior population. It identifies the top areas of need as communications, housing and access to services. It includes both short- and long-term goals, like creating a senior services facility, boosting communication and engagement and establishing a nonprofit organization to generate funds for projects.
In addition to helping fund programs at Live Oak, the county grant will also help seniors get connected to the services they need, like food pantries or rental assistance.
“We are appreciative of both the resources and flexibility this grant provides,” said Los Gatos Town Manager Laurel Prevetti. “The needs of our community are unique, and it is important to identify and develop services that specifically address the needs of Los Gatos seniors.”
Housing insecurity among seniors is another top concern, Picraux said. The roadmap suggested creating an inventory of senior housing, and housing opportunities, and connecting seniors to home maintenance workers.
The latest affordable development for seniors in Los Gatos, Walnut Grove in the North 40 development, had more than 340 applicants for its 49 available units.