The California Dream collaboration wants to hear about your experiences as a senior in the Golden State. Click here to submit your comments.

This is what you've shared with us so far.*

I work in hospice/home care. In this mostly rural area the children have often moved away. It makes it almost impossible for seniors to age in place. Either caregivers are hard to hire — as there is a shortage, or the elder does not have the funds. There is a shortage of medical providers so some seniors are traveling hours to have some medical appointments/specialists. ~ Sara Darrah

Los Angeles is very diverse. Health care, government programs, and social services are hard enough to navigate if you are an educated English-speaker, but it's even harder for ethnic minorities and immigrant seniors to find culturally appropriate resources and access services. ~ Amy Phillips

The cost of living in the state continues to rise, making health care less affordable. We are confronted with the possiblity of having to leave the state. But to go where? We need a single payer system that provides care for all citizens. Health care would include long term care, too, and the means to die with dignity. ~ Rick Moniz

It's the living alone that concerns me, as someone who lives alone, has no children, and has no family in the area. I would like to see public policy that promotes communal living in some way, not just for seniors but for small groups of people of all ages. Social isolation to me means being socially isolated from young people, too. We boomers can enjoy each other just fine, but there is a benefit for all parties to be in contact with people of many generations. ~ Joy Janes

My rent takes over half my income now, while I am still working. Every year it goes up 4%. I can't afford to save for retirement; I'll never be able to retire, but even the idea of being able to stay in my apartment while continuing to work seems like less and less of a possibility. ~ Susan Arick

Rentals are impossible for most middle income seniors on fixed incomes. Few families with children can afford to buy homes with granny space. It’s difficult enough for able-bodied folks but those needing assisted living or long term care are in big trouble — even if they start out wealthy. ~ Joanne McPortland

*Comments were edited for clarity and, in some cases, length.