By TR Robertson
The YES Collaborative returned to in-person meetings this week with a presentation by David Graham, Innovation Officer from the City of Carlsbad. David presented a power point presentation and discussion concerning the City of Carlsbad Age Friendly Action Plan. The meeting was held at the Pine Avenue Community Center on Harding Street. Between 30-40 community leaders, state and city officials and representatives, organization heads and other interested people took part in the meeting.
Graham said Carlsbad, beginning in 2018, was the first city to have an Innovation Officer as part of the cities administrative staff. He and his team are responsible for creating innovative approaches in providing assistance and services to residents. He alluded to the fact that across the nation we have a rapidly aging population, all due to a variety of reasons. He said, “The nature of what a retiree is has changed.” Many, considered Senior citizens, have continued to work, and volunteer well beyond their retirement and remain an active part of society.
The AARP has created a chart listing the “8 Domains of Livability”. These domains are Housing, Outdoor Spaces & Building, Transportation, communication and Information, Respect and Social Inclusion, Health & Wellness Services, Communication Support, Social Participation and Civic Participation & Employment. Changes in an older population’s responses to most of these domains is becoming a growing concern for communities and cities across the state and nation. In a survey conducted by the City of Carlsbad, several areas were highlighted in their findings. Six hundred and thirty citizens responded to the survey.
Some of the areas that stood out from the survey include – 98% of the respondents still drive themselves and want to continue to drive themselves; 90% said the parks and streets are safe and well maintained in the city; 65% said they used and rely on the internet for news and correspondence; 60% said housing affordability in Carlsbad is poor or fair; 60% said well maintained low-income housing is poor or fair in the city; 1/3 of those taking the survey said they feel they lack companionship which leads to social isolation and 95% of the women and 92% of the men taking the survey said it is important to live independently in their own home as they age.
Using this survey along with a series of meetings an Age Friendly Carlsbad Action Plan was created living five domains the city felt was of most concern in concentrating on and implemented programs to deal with assistance where needed. The goals and objectives listed would provide support for programs to assist the older population. Programs like the Citizens Academy, the Volunteer and Internship programs the city offers as well as Intergenerational Opportunities are a variety of ways to encourage help, assistance, and opportunities for an aging population to stay active. Graham said. “The most challenging domain now is housing”. The five Domains and Objectives the committee approved were 1) Outdoor Spaces and Building, 2) Social and Civic Responsibilities, 3) Housing, 4) Health & Wellness and 5) Mobility. An example of assistance the city has offered in the area of Mobility is Move Carlsbad. Informative workshops were offered like Rideshare 101, Public Transit 101, Walking and Biking 101 and Getting Around Carlsbad. Go to www.carlsbadca.gov/agefriendlycarlsbad to see the survey results and the Age Friendly Carlsbad Action Plan.
After Graham’s presentation a short question and answer session was held where many of those attending shared what their organizations were doing to assist the aging population in Carlsbad. Members of Carlsbad Unified, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, California State officials’ office, Carlsbad City offices and many other groups and agencies shared a few programs their organizations offer.
YES is a monthly meeting now held in-person at the Pine Avenue Community Center
