MCHWB Vice Chair Summary of Recommendations - April 13, 2022Topic-Specific Summary of the MCHWB April 13, 2022 Meeting Topic: Senior Programming Presenters: LaTrenia Thomas (COAB Parks and Recreation), Abrielle
Genest (COAB City Planner), Curtis Ford (Beaches Habitat for Humanity), Lori Richards (BEAM), Gayle Blackmer (Baptist AgeWell Center for Health), An Oskarson (Mayo Memory Loss Program), Lori Anderson (Beaches Council on Aging), Joanne Hickox (Seniors on a Mission), Jeff Backfisch (COJ, Senior Services), Katie Devanny (Jacksonville Public Library), Leslie Lyne (CONB Programming/Senior Center), Andrea Spencer (Elder Source). Theme of Presentation: Representatives from eleven governmental and
private agencies (COAB, CONB, and Jacksonville) spoke about the challenges and resources available for senior citizens living in our
area. Takeaways (a few):
1. Approximately 23% of COAB population (2019) is 65+ years old. According to AARP statistics, by 2030 ~25% of the US population will be 65+. 2. Poverty rates (as of 2018) for seniors have increased. 3. Successful aging in place requires more planning, action, and expenditure than most people realize. An ongoing challenge remains effective ways to connect in-need seniors with available resources. 4. Seniors represent a vulnerable population as they must address
challenges involving housing insecurity, food insecurity, cognitive decline, reliable transportation, lifestyle changes due
to physical and/or financial disabilities, and healthy social connections.
5. In addition to the above (#3 and #4), seniors need support and mentoring when it comes to nurturing a sense of life purpose. Recommendations (and which Council member made recommendation) [5 and 6 still to be discussed]: 1. Create and promote an accessible/easily located link on the COAB website for senior services contact numbers, resources, and other pertinent information. [Tracy Marko] 2. Recognizing that property tax caps limit the size of annual tax increases, ask the COAB Commission to explore and dialogue about appropriate alternatives (legislation? regulation? Invitation?) to address rent increases. [Steve Piscitelli]
3. Consider expanding grant programs as well as including money in the City of Atlantic Beach budget for senior programs. [Lisa
Herrold] 4. Examine community center capacity to see if the city can offer
space and/or funding to host accessible senior citizen workshops, classes, courses, and events. [Tracy Marko] 5. Include age-friendly accessory dwelling unit provisions in Land Development Regulations. [?] 6. Pursue joining the World Health Organization/AARP Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities. [?] Submitted to the MCHWB on June 8, 2022 Steve Piscitelli, Vice Chair