Making Lafayette More Senior Friendly: Effort Continues

LAFAYETTE, CA — Making Lafayette a more senior-friendly community, in part by enacting a seniors' master plan for the city to improve "senior inclusion," will be discussed Monday night by the Lafayette City Council.

The city's Senior Services Commission began research in October 2017 to create a local seniors master plan that would focus on the eight AARP/WHO "domains of livability;" the program was formally rolled out in February.

Residents of three local senior living centers were queried about what services they consider most essential.

The eight domains are buildings and outdoor spaces conducive to senior life; transportation needs of seniors; housing options allowing seniors to "age in place" to the greatest extent possible; work and civic engagement; social participation options for seniors; respect and social inclusion; emergency and neighborhood communication needs; and improved access to community and health services. Each has been addressed at recent community focus groups.

City Council members Cameron Burks and Teresa Gerringer, along with Senior Services Coordinator Maureen Neumann and Jonathan Katayanagi, Lafayette's parks, trails and recreation director, are heading up this effort.

This discussion continues at Monday night's Lafayette City Council meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Lafayette Library & Learning Center-Don Tatzin Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.