Carlsbad: Age-Friendly Carlsbad Input

Carlsbad CA

02 December, 2020

8:32 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Carlsbad: December 1, 2020 The City of Carlsbad, in partnership with the American Association of Retired Persons' Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities and the San Diego Foundation Age-Friendly Communities Program, is developing the city's first Age-Friendly Action Plan called Age-Friendly Carlsbad. This will also be the first age-friendly plan in North County. The action plan will use community participation and feedback to create goals for implementing policies and programs that enhance the quality of life in the community for people of all ages and abilities. Well-designed, age-friendly communities foster economic growth and make for happier, healthier residents of all ages – an important need during the current crisis. By 2035, the United States will — for the first time ever — be a country comprised of more older adults than of children. The U.S. Census Bureau projects there will be 78 million people age 65 and over compared to 76.4 million under the age of 18. Carlsbad wants to be ready.During phase one of public input in September, the city collected data that highlighted that 95% of women and 92% of men who took the survey said it's extremely important to be able to live independently in their own home as they age. Now during phase two, the city is currently using an interactive online public input tool to learn from the community about specific ways to increase the livability of Carlsbad across the age spectrum. AARP defines livability using the 8 Domains of Livability: Civic Participation and Employment Communication and Information Health Services and Community Support Housing Outdoor spaces and buildings Respect and Social Inclusion Social Participation Transportation The city is hosting a free workshop on Dec. 3, 2-3 p.m. for Carlsbad residents ages 45+ and their caretakers who want to learn about Age-Friendly cities and how to use the interactive online tool to give input. Public input on Age-Friendly Carlsbad is open until Dec. 18 using the Ideas Wall or Mapping tool. AARP's network, an affiliate of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Program, is part of an international campaign to help communities prepare for rapidly aging populations and the parallel trend of urbanization. By enrolling in the AARP network, the city has gained access to additional national and global research, community networks, planning models and best practices to improve livability for all ages and abilities. Age-Friendly Resources Age-Friendly Carlsbad AARP 8 Domains of Livability Resource Page Partner Organizations AARP California Circulate San Diego The San Diego Foundation More Information Joe Stewart, Office of Innovation & Economic Development, [email protected] December 1, 2020 This press release was produced by the City of Carlsbad. The views expressed here are the author's own.