CTO AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Becoming an "age -friendly" city requires a paradigm shift in how the City will conduct future business — especially in terms of city planning -- with an abiding belief that a livable community is in the best interests of all its citizens. Becoming an "age -friendly" community will not necessarily improve Thousand Oaks' ranking on a list of "best places to retire.° Rather, the Age -Friendly Community Action Plan will become an extension of the Senior Adult Master Plan and allow our city to join a global network of Age-Friendly/Livable Communities that are part of this continuous improvement process. • Becoming an "Age-Friendly/Livable Community," will provide another reason for families to call the Conejo Valley home and remain throughout their lifetimes. • It will become a tool for economic development as businesses begin recruiting older workers and realize greater profit. • It will provide additional strategies for City planners. • It will communicate to seniors that Thousand Oaks respects their value in our community. To begin the process, the Thousand Oaks Council on Aging recommends attainment of the "Age-Friendly/Livable Community" designation be included in the City's 2018-2019 Top Priorities List. Starting the process also requires a letter of commitment from the mayor and/or a local proclamation. The Council on Aging acknowledges and respects the difficulty of resource allocation in any new project. However, we believe that the City is already moving toward livability in terms of open space, transportation, and communication and information; thus, we encourage city leadership to formalize the next step. Research indicates a positive ROI for cities embracing the strategies of livability. "Recent studies in Atlanta, Phoenix and Kansas City had demonstrated that older adults are critical contributors to a region's economy" (Ball, Lambert, Lombard, 2015. "The Value Proposition of Age -Friendly Communities Summit Report"). This report will provide city leaders with additional background information, including: • List of other cities in the United States that have requested this designation • Sample letters of commitment from mayors around the country, as well as sample proclamations. • The eight Domains of Livability • An explanation of why Thousand Oaks is in an excellent position to become an "Age -Friendly" city and is already moving in that direction: Why Here? Why Now? • The economic benefits of "Age Friendliness:" Follow the Money • Membership Application • Program Cycle ik Several research reports on the social and economic benefits of working toward this outcome 4