As the senior population in the United States continues to grow, disparities in access to quality care for older adults are becoming more pronounced, particularly for low-income and minority communities. The University of San Francisco, with its deep commitment to social justice and Jesuit values, is addressing these inequities head-on. Through research, community partnerships, and education, USF is advocating for fair, compassionate, and dignified care for seniors in San Francisco assisted living facilities, ensuring that all older adults, regardless of background or income, receive the care they deserve.
Access to high-quality assisted living is often shaped by race, socioeconomic status, and geographic location. For underserved populations, barriers such as cost, cultural disconnects, and geographic isolation make it difficult to find and afford adequate care. USF is actively working to combat these disparities through initiatives that target the root causes of inequity in senior care. At the forefront of these efforts is research conducted by faculty and students in USF’s School of Nursing and Health Professions, which explores how factors like race and income affect the quality of care that seniors receive. This research helps inform new strategies to address these gaps, ensuring that underserved seniors have better access to necessary resources and support.
USF’s commitment to cultural competence in caregiving is central to this effort. In assisted living facilities, seniors from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds often struggle to find care that respects their traditions and values. USF’s educational programs, particularly in nursing and public health, emphasize training healthcare providers to understand and respect the cultural needs of the populations they serve. Students learn not only to provide excellent clinical care but also to engage with seniors in ways that honor their cultural identities, ensuring that every patient is treated with dignity and respect.
One of the most impactful ways USF is addressing inequities in senior care is through its community partnerships. The university works with local organizations that support low-income seniors, offering services that range from health screenings and counseling to educational workshops on managing chronic illnesses. These partnerships ensure that even the most vulnerable seniors have access to the care and resources they need to live healthier, more dignified lives.
USF’s outreach efforts extend into advocacy at the local and national levels. Faculty, students, and alumni are involved in pushing for policy reforms that would expand access to affordable assisted living and ensure funding for programs that support low-income seniors. By advocating for stronger policies that address healthcare disparities, USF is helping to drive systemic change, ensuring that senior care becomes more equitable across the board.
In particular, USF’s work in advocating for culturally competent care models has been groundbreaking. These models integrate cultural sensitivity into everyday caregiving, from how staff interacts with residents to how facilities address dietary needs, language barriers, and religious practices. By promoting these inclusive care models, USF is helping to create assisted living environments where seniors of all backgrounds feel respected, understood, and supported.
USF is also preparing its students to be leaders in the future of elder care. Through nursing, social work, and public health programs, students gain hands-on experience working with seniors in diverse settings, from assisted living facilities to community clinics. These practical experiences are reinforced by coursework that emphasizes the social determinants of health, ethical caregiving, and advocacy for vulnerable populations. Graduates leave USF with not only the clinical skills needed to care for seniors but also the passion and knowledge to fight for systemic change.
USF’s Jesuit values, which emphasize care for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—are embedded in all of its initiatives. This holistic approach to care is especially important in senior care, where emotional and spiritual well-being is often as critical as physical health. The university’s focus on cura personalis (care for the whole person) ensures that seniors in assisted living facilities are not just patients, but individuals whose lives, experiences, and identities are respected and valued.
As the need for senior care continues to rise, USF’s work is more important than ever. By addressing inequities in care, advocating for policy change, and preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals, the University of San Francisco is leading the charge in creating a more just and equitable system of senior care. The university’s commitment to social justice is helping to ensure that all seniors—regardless of their background—can age with dignity, respect, and support. Through its innovative programs and unwavering focus on equity, USF is setting a new standard for how we care for our elderly population, ensuring that no one is left behind.