Empowered Aging

01/27/2026

✨ This Is My Why: Mykel ✨

For Mykel, this work is about showing up, listening, learning, and standing alongside older adults to help ensure they are treated with dignity, respect, and care.

In this This Is My Why video, Mykel shares what inspired them to get involved with Empowered Aging and why advocating for older adults and their rights matters so deeply to them.

Stories like Mykel’s remind us that real change starts with people who are willing to be present and speak up.

💛 If you would like to support our work for older adults and caregivers, visit the link below

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/empoweredaging

01/21/2026

🍎 Share Your Voice: Contra Costa Food Security Survey 🍎
At Empowered Aging, we advocate for the well-being, dignity, and basic needs of older adults and community members. Access to food is essential to health, stability, and independence at every age.
The Food Security Collaborative is inviting community members to participate in a brief survey to help strengthen food access programs across Contra Costa County.
✔ Takes only 3 minutes
✔ Available in 8 languages
✔ Open until January 31
✔ Optional entry into a drawing for 20 Safeway gift cards ($50 each)
👉 Take the survey:
foodbankccs.org/FSCsurvey
Sharing for awareness—and for those who may be interested in making their voice heard. Please share widely. Your input helps build a stronger, healthier Contra Costa County.
Food Security Survey:
• English: https://bit.ly/3ZquH5u
• Spanish: https://bit.ly/4jV51Yi
Costa Food Security Collaborative.

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01/21/2026

💗 Love looks like community 💗

As advocates for older adults, we’re always glad to help share efforts that bring connection and joy to seniors.
This Valentine’s Day, GIVE - Getting Involved thru Volunteer Engagement is hosting Adopt a Grandparent, delivering Valentine’s Day grams to seniors in assisted living and memory care communities in Solano County.

Sharing for awareness—for those who may be interested in sponsoring or spreading a little love💖

01/19/2026

“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

This MLK Day, Empowered Aging reflects on Dr. King’s words and their continued relevance. Our work to protect older adults from abuse, neglect, and systemic barriers is part of the ongoing fight for justice and dignity for all.

May we honor his legacy through service, advocacy, and compassion across generations.

01/16/2026

In this video, Daunje shares her “why” and what drives her commitment to Empowered Aging’s work. Every day, Empowered Aging advocates for older adults by protecting their rights, addressing abuse and neglect, and ensuring seniors and their families have someone to turn to during difficult moments.

This work is made possible through community support. If you’d like to learn more, get involved, or support these efforts, visit our website: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/empoweredaging

01/07/2026

💙 This is John’s why.

John is a Long-Term Care Ombudsman with Empowered Aging, and in this video he talks about what motivates him to show up for older adults living in care communities. His role is about listening, building trust, and making sure residents feel seen, heard, and respected.

John’s story is a reminder that this work is deeply personal. It’s about being present, speaking up when it matters, and walking alongside older adults and their families during challenging moments.

🎥 Take a moment to watch John’s “This Is My Why.”

If you’d like to support John's work and learn more about Empowered Aging, you can find more information here: https://bit.ly/3LswpQt

12/22/2025

Every program, every service, every moment of advocacy starts with purpose. Charmaine, Director of Programs and Services at Empowered Aging, shares why supporting older adults and protecting their rights is at the core of her work. We are grateful for leadership grounded in compassion and service.
Want to support the work Charmaine is talking about? Learn more, donate, or get involved here:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/empoweredaging

12/22/2025

✨ Happy Holidays from all of us at Empowered Aging! ✨

This season, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the people who make our work possible—our dedicated staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters. Every day, our team shows up to ensure older adults are heard, respected, and protected, and we are deeply grateful for the community that stands alongside us.

As we close out the year, we wish you and your loved ones a holiday season filled with warmth, peace, and connection. Thank you for being part of our mission and for helping us bring dignity, safety, and advocacy to older adults across our region.

💙 From our Empowered Aging family to yours—happy holidays and best wishes for the year ahead.

12/18/2025

In this video, Executive Director Susannah shares her why — the personal motivation behind her commitment to advocating for older adults and protecting their rights. As we reflect on the year, we remain dedicated to standing with residents, families, and caregivers across our community.
Watch her video and learn more about our work and how you can support older adults this season.

12/18/2025

Every resident deserves to be heard.

Gina Rigley is a Long-Term Care Ombudsman with Empowered Aging, and her why is rooted in standing beside older adults who need an advocate. In her video, Gina shares what motivates her to show up for residents in long-term care and ensure their voices are respected.

This is what advocacy looks like in action.

12/10/2025

Empowered Aging Board Member William “Will” Dow shares his personal perspective on why this work matters and why he chooses to champion the mission of protecting and empowering older adults.

As we approach the end of the year, Will’s message is a reminder that our impact is possible because of dedicated supporters like you. A year end gift helps fund critical advocacy in long-term care facilities, educational outreach, and direct assistance for those navigating abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Watch Will’s message and consider making a gift today to ensure every older adult has the protection, voice, and support they deserve.

11/24/2025

Who Will You Turn To As Your Loved Ones Age?

Every one of us can think of an older adult who needs help as they age. Families trust long term care facilities to meet the needs of their loved ones, but as staffing shortages grow and residents require more support than ever, many older adults begin to fall through the cracks. If you would like to support this work, you can make a gift here:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/empoweredaging

Fred is one of many older adults whose lives changed because someone from our team showed up. At 93, he entered a long term care facility after losing his wife of 58 years. His daughter hoped he would receive the support he needed, but she soon noticed he was thinner, more withdrawn, and hesitant to speak up. Fred did not want to be a bother, so he stayed silent.

When our Ombudsman visited, Fred shared that arthritis and limited mobility made it difficult for him to feed himself. He often let his meals go cold rather than ask for help. As our staff member shared, “When Fred told me he let his meals go cold because he physically could not manage them alone, it was clear he felt invisible. No resident should ever feel like a burden just for needing help.”

Within days, we worked with the facility to ensure he received daily support and regular check ins. His daughter told us that for the first time, she felt someone was truly watching out for her father.

There are thousands of older adults just like Fred who rely on our presence. In the past year, Empowered Aging conducted more than 2,600 facility visits, investigated and resolved more than 1,500 complaints, and provided more than 13,000 consultations across Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano counties.

Our vision is that aging people and people with disabilities living in long term care experience dignity, equity, and quality of life. Your support strengthens this vision and allows us to show up for residents who would otherwise go unheard.

Thanks to the generosity of our Board of Directors, all gifts made by December 31 will be matched up to 7,500 dollars, doubling your impact.

To make a gift or learn more about our work, please visit:

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/empoweredaging