On April 21, 2025, Los Angeles City Mayor Karen Bass released her proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26. The proposal eliminates the Department of Aging, which would become a division the Community Investment and Family Development Department. We oppose the elimination of the standalone department and are concerned about the impact of these changes on programs and services that serve older adults.

The Department of Aging provides important services to Alzheimer’s families. Most notably, they provide respite care Alzheimer’s caregivers. Through grant funds from the department, Alzheimer’s Los Angeles has provided over 800 hours of respite care just in the past year, allowing caregivers to continue their journey with support, helping people with dementia stay safely in their homes.

The need for the Department of Aging’s services and programs are expected to grow dramatically. Currently seniors represent nearly a quarter of the City’s population and nearly a quarter of the City’s homeless population. By 2030, it is estimated that 1 million City residents will be seniors. This population is becoming more diverse—ethnically, culturally, and linguistically.

We urge the City to prioritize older adults, not bury their needs in a bigger system. The loss of leadership and staff in this proposal will result in the loss of expertise and a reduction in programs and services.

Help raise the voice of older adults. Send a message to City Council supporting the Department of Aging.