Aging Issues Advocacy
Many non-partisan groups advocate for policies to improve the lives of older adults and caregivers. You can learn more about the issues and get involved. Additional advocacy groups are listed on the Diversity & Inclusion page.
Click on the v-shaped arrow to the right of each program description to view more information.
The California chapter of AARP offers free information about a variety of issues affecting older adults. AARP also engages in political advocacy at the state and national levels.
Cost: $12 annual membership fee (information provided for free on website)
Who Is Eligible: individuals 50 and older (anyone can access information on the website)
Address: 1451 L Street, Suite 960, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 446-2223
Website: https://states.aarp.org/california/
This association supports the efforts of Caregiver Resource Centers across the state through capacity building and advocacy.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Email: AssocCRCs@gmail.com
This non-profit organization educates consumers about long-term care issues and advocates for improved care and the protection of rights of individuals living in California long-term care facilities. The website provides updates on pending legislation and consumer information. Donors receive a quarterly newsletter.
Cost: no cost (donation requested to subscribe to newsletter)
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 1803 6th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
Phone: (415) 974-5171 or (800) 474-1116
Email: can send message through Contact Us page on website
Website: http://www.canhr.org/
This non-profit organization holds educational forums and rallies as well as engages in advocacy with decisionmakers about issues affecting older adults. The Sacramento-based group meets monthly.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 1675 7th St., P.O. Box 23754, Oakland, CA 94615-8777
Phone: (877) 223-6107 (state office) or (415) 533-5244 (Sacramento contact)
Email: contactus.cara@gmail.com
Website: https://californiaalliance.org/
This professional association offers information and engages in advocacy to expand the availability and quality of adult day services in California.
Cost: membership fees vary (some information provided at no charge)
Who Is Eligible: adult day service providers and other interested parties
Address: 1107 Ninth Street, Suite 701, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 552-7400
Email: can send message through Contact Us page on website
Website: https://caads.org/
C4A represents California Area Agencies on Aging by providing information and advocating for policies supporting older adults and persons with disabilities. The association works on a variety of legislative initiatives with the goal of enabling Californians to live independently for as long as possible.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone (some information on website is restricted to members)
Address: 980 Ninth Street, Suite 240, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 443-2800
Email: can send message through Contact Us page on website
Website: www.c4a.info
Commissioners are appointed by the Governor and Legislature to advise government decisionmakers on issues affecting older adults. The Commission's meetings are open to the public.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 1300 National Drive, Suite 173, Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone: (916) 419-7591
Website: https://ccoa.ca.gov/
Note: meeting agendas and information about attending meetings can be found on the website
This state membership organization promotes the rights of older adults through policy advocacy and community education.
Cost: some information available for no charge, membership fees vary by level
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Email: can send message through Contact Us page on website
Website: https://www.elderjusticecal.org/
This organization advocates on issues related to Medicare at the state and federal level. They also conduct public policy research to improve Medicare beneficiaries' rights and protections.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone (targeted at Medicare beneficiaries and health care providers)
Address: 5380 Elvas Avenue, Suite 221, Sacramento, CA 95819
Phone: (916) 465-8104
Email: news@cahealthadvocates.org
Website: https://cahealthadvocates.org/
Volunteers propose and advocate for new or amended state laws to benefit older adults in California. Senior Legislators are elected by their local Area Agencies on Aging. Every May, the California Senior Legislature invites partners to raise awareness among state elected officials by participating in the Senior Rally Day at the state capitol.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: must be 55 or older to be a Senior Legislator; anyone can provide input on legislative priorities and help with advocacy efforts
Address: 1020 N Street, Room 513, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 767-4382
Email: can send message through Contact Us page on website
Website: https://4csl.org/
This national non-profit organization works to ensure and expand access to Medicare coverage, address health equity issues, and improve the quality of health care for older adults and people with disabilities. They issue policy and action alerts as well as engage in litigation and political advocacy.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: P.O. Box 350, Willimantic, CT 06226
Phone: (860) 456-7790
Email: can send message through Contact Us page on website
Website: https://medicareadvocacy.org/
This national organization works to increase public awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It works to build support for the Elder Justice Act and monitors legislation and regulations that relate to elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 1612 K St. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (202) 789-0470
Email: info@elderjusticecoalition.com
In addition to offering information and services, the Family Caregiver Alliance engages in research and advocates for policies benefitting family caregivers. Their newsletter Caregiver Policy Digest provides up-to-date information about local, national, and international caregiving policies.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 235 Montgomery St. Suite 930, San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (800) 445-8106
Email: can send message through Contact Us page on website
Website: https://www.caregiver.org/
This national organization works to improve the lives of younger and older people through intergenerational collaboration. They advocate for state and federal policies and programs that build intergenerational connections, support grandfamilies, and meet the needs of all generations.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 80 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: (202) 289-3979
Email: can send message through Contact Us page on website
Website: https://www.gu.org/
In addition to providing education for legal professionals and the general public, this non-profit organization advocates for state and federal policies with a focus on improving health care and economic security for older adults.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Phone: (213) 639-0930
Email: can send message through Contact Us page on website
Website: https://justiceinaging.org/
Note: this organization has offices in Washington, D.C. and California
This membership organization represents aging service providers and advocates on a variety of issues including affordable senior housing and long-term care.
Cost: annual membership dues vary (some information is available at no charge on the website)
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 1315 I Street, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 392-5111
Email: info@leadingageca.org
Website: https://www.leadingageca.org/
Note: members receive access to educational resources, networking opportunities, and legislative updates
This national organization advocates to strengthen federal programs that promote health and financial security for older adults and caregivers.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 251 18th Street South, Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22202
Email: can send message through Contact Us page on website
Website: https://www.ncoa.org/
This national organization conducts research and policy analysis, works to increase public awareness of caregiving issues, and tracks legislation that affects caregivers and care recipients.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 1730 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Suite #812, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 918-1013
Email: info@caregiving.org
Website: https://www.caregiving.org/
This national membership organization advocates to ensure the financial security, health, and well being of current and future older adults.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 111 K Street NE, Suite 700, Washington DC 20002
Phone: (202) 216-0420
Email: webmaster@ncpssm.org
Website: https://www.ncpssm.org/
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This page was originally created by Yazmin Varas. Last updated 2/3/2023.