Bringing Support Home: A Look at DMCC’s Aging Resources Advocate Service

Aging brings new chapters, but navigating changes in health, mobility, and caregiving can quickly become overwhelming. DMCC’s leadership recognized a growing need in our community to address these questions, and a few months ago, driven by our ongoing commitment to creating a positive, lasting impact for Del Mar's senior community, we set out to build a stronger safety net for our neighbors. Thanks to a vital two-year pilot grant from our long-time partners at the Del Mar Foundation, we launched the Aging Resources Advocate (ARA) service, introducing a dedicated expert to guide local families through life’s transitions.

This grant has been a catalyst for us at DMCC, allowing us to provide meaningful solutions for older adults who are navigating new challenges from aging and empowering them to make informed choices. Since its launch, the ARA service has provided a compassionate guide in our community, offering short-term counseling to connect older adults and their families directly to tailored solutions, specialized transportation, and local caregiving resources.

Del Mar Foundation President Thomas Neuman, MD, shared that excitement, noting,

The Foundation is proud and excited to work with DMCC in sponsoring the Aging Resources Advocate two-year trial program. We feel this will be a much-needed resource for our community and are happy to see DMCC expanding into this arena.

While the service was introduced as an innovative trial this summer, its success has been immediate and reflected in the personal moments of connection and aid it has already brought to local homes:

An adult child made a decision tree about moving her nonagenarian parent to an assisted living facility.

A dementia caregiver spouse was able to gain an understanding of how to strategize memory care waitlists while considering moving her loved one, something she was reluctant to do.

A couple was given referrals to professionals who could help execute their estate plan to their family’s best interest.

By continuously working to expand our services and deepen our community reach, our team remains passionately dedicated to ensuring that older adults in Del Mar live active, vibrant, and supported lives.

If you are a senior living in 92014 or a caregiver to one and are seeking guidance or want to learn more about the service, visit the ARA Service page or call our office at (858) 792-7565.