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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLR Age-Friendly San Rafael Strategic Action Plan PPTAge-Friendly San Rafael Strategic Action Plan 2020–2023 Age-Friendly Leadership Team and Advisors Members Chrisula Asimos, Marin County Commission on Aging Caran Cuneo, County of Marin, Business Development and Employment (Ret.) Gail Gifford, Senior Community Volunteer Linda Jackson, Program Director, Aging Action Initiative; San Rafael School Board Salamah Locks, Marin County Commission on Aging Diana López, Marin County Commission on Aging; HICAP Counselor, Patient Navigator Patty McCulley, City of San Rafael, Program Coordinator Suzie Pollak, a founder of Marin Villages and CVNL Sparkie Spaeth, Board Member, Marin Villages; Chair, San Rafael Village Advisors Kate Colin, Mayor, San Rafael Susan Andrade –Wax, Library and Recreation Director Raffi Nazarian, AARP California State Director Age-Friendly Movement "We believe that if everything we do in our cities is great for an 8-year-old and an 80-year-old, then it will be great for all people." Gil Penalosa (parks commissioner in Bogota), now an international age-friendly leader New Definitions from the World Health Organization 0-17 years old -Underage 18-65 years old -Youth/young people 66-79 years old -Middle-aged 80-99 years old -Elderly/senior 100+ years old -Long-lived elderly History of the Age-Friendly Movement Grassroots effort to bring the World Health Organization’s Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities to the City of San Rafael. Commitment to a five-year cycle of continual improvement. We have just completed the Planning Phase -the Assessment and the Strategic Action Plan. Community outreach included: Reframing Aging Training –FrameWorks Institute Ke y informant interviews Survey (English and Spanish) The City of San Rafael Joins the Age-Friendly Network Sausalito was the first city in Marin County to receive the Age-Friendly designation, followed closely by Corte Madera and Fairfax. San Rafael led the second wave of towns and cities to receive the Age-Friendly designation and we are the largest Age-Friendly city in Marin. In 2020, the County of Marin completed the age-friendly plan for the unincorporated areas of Marin and hired a full-time staff person to implement their Age Forward Strategic Plan. The Time is Now! Over 25% of San Rafael resident are 60 years old and older. We sent 700 Birthday Party invitations to San Rafael residents who are 90 and better. The 1st wave of Latino immigrants is now in their 60’s. The first Baby Boomers will be 80 in five years. Ageism The stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination against people on the basis of their age. For older people, ageism is an everyday challenge. They are overlooked for employment, restricted from social services and stereotyped in the media. Ageism as defined by the World Health Organization Ageism is a combination of prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory institutional practices. Ageism is a social justice issue. Reframing aging. “Even the most privileged of humans in the West world will join a tragically disfavored caste if they live long enough. They will belong to the last caste of the human cycle, that of old age, people who are among the most demeaned of all citizens in the Western world, where youth is worshipped to forestall thoughts of death. A caste system spares no one.” Isabelle Wilkerson, Caste Ageism Examples of Ageism Losing a job because of your age. Damaging self-beliefs. Alarmist popular and professional statements about the cost and burden of old age. Intergenerationality Intergenerationality is interaction between members of different generations. An essential aspect of the age-friendly movement is to explore how including people of all ages can help create a vibrant inclusive community. Too often the voices of older and younger people are not included in the planning and the decision-making processes in their community. The intergenerational nature of a community is reflected in the families, facilities, structures, services, and policies, that children, youth, adults, and older adults encounter in the community as well as in day-to-day interactions and relationships. Intersectionality Intersectionality is an analytical framework for understanding how aspects of a person's social and political identities combine to create different modes of discrimination and privilege. It is the acknowledgement that everyone has their own unique experience and everything and anything that can marginalize people –including age must be considered. It may seem obvious that in order to build an age-friendly community we need think about the different factors that affect people but it is startling to realize how often this is disregarded or goes unnoticed. Age-Friendly San Rafael Strategic Plan Highlights and Initial Implementation Steps Housing Highlights Existing homes no longer meet the needs of residents or the community. Residential facilities have availability but are not affordable. Action Steps Look for opportunities to streamline costs of retrofitting homes so older adults can stay in their homes safely and comfortably. Research cost factors of living in residential facilities. Employment Highlights Reduce ageism in the workplace. Older adults need to work to live in San Rafael. Engage in workforce development. Action Steps Foster intergenerational communication and teams. Expand viable job opportunities with flexible work schedules, including part time. Connect with government and non-profit agencies working in the area of employment. Civic Participation Highlights Older adults may not know that their participation is welcomed in civic organizations. In what way does the next generation see civic participation? Expand the existing partnership with the San Rafael library. Actions Build on local repository of civic leaders and opportunities for civic engagement. Explore what civic engagement looks like to the next generation(s). Advocate for the representation of San Rafael older adults in the program planning process. Communication Highlights Expand communication specific to the needs of older adults to improve engagement. Research ways to expand broadband. Actions Communications should be sensitive of different needs, including access to and comfort with technology, language barriers and visual or hearing impairments. Build on existing communication channels with government and non- profit partners. Outdoor Spaces and Buildings Highlights Expand opportunities for older adults to safely participate in outdoor community life. Address perception of safety issues around people experiencing homelessness in our community. Develop and support intergenerational programming at the City’s community centers and libraries Actions Expand partnership between the San Rafael DPW & neighborhood associations to support efforts to repair or replace aging infrastructure Promote partnership with public safety personnel and the downtown business community to address perceptions around safety. Encourage and support community center staff to promote best practices and planning around intergenerational and multicultural programming. Community Preparedness Highlights Vulnerable older adults in San Rafael face barriers and challenges regarding emergency preparedness. Action Partner with San Rafael Fire/EMS to produce and distribute emergency preparation materials in English and Spanish that reflect the needs of older adults and the disabled community Respect and Social Inclusion Highlights Older adults are neglected and depreciated in many settings, causing serious effects on physical, mental and social well-being. Recognize that aging exists, develop expertise and understanding of aging, and reframe perceptions about growing older in San Rafael. Actions Launch an age-friendly educational campaign, providing examples of what “age friendly” means for San Rafael and dispelling common myths about aging. Educate community members on facts and myths about aging and develop the most effective communication strategies. First Year Implementation Steps Housing Research factors that make up the cost of living in residential facilities. Employment Research current employment situation for older adults and connect with non-profits and government agencies working om employment. Civic Participation Learn about library programs and engage with library management. Communication Explore with City staff the priority areas for improving communications, particularly with and to older adults. First Year Implementation Steps (con’t) Outdoor Spaces and Buildings Create a collaborative partnership with the City and neighborhood associations to upgrade lighting and repair sidewalks. Community Preparedness Partner with San Rafael Fire/EMS to produce and distribute emergency preparedness in English and Spanish that reflect the needs of older adults and the disabled community. Respect and Social Inclusion Look for opportunities to educate people who live and work in San Rafael regarding facts and myths related to aging and how best to communicate that information. Foundational Steps for Early Wins San Rafael City Council accepts the San Rafael’s Age- Friendly Strategic Plan. Begin work with departmental designees. Share plan highlights with San Rafael residents through City Manager’s Snapshot and the City website to encourage broader participation. Build on strong existing partnerships focused on older adults. Commit to meet with the City Council quarterly to provide progress updates and to strategize. QUESTIONS –COMMENTS –GENERAL DISCUSSION THANK YOU!