Atherton Senior Task Force Update for Feb 11, 2026
I) Background:
This summary describes what has been learned and done since the Town and Café (Supported by San Mateo County) organized several Senior Focus Groups in 2024.
Since then, the Town and the Senior Task Force have initially researched the needs of our Seniors, organized several important Seminars and created a strategy for future discovery & support of Atheron’s Seniors. The town decided to pursue a Senior Task Force independent of Café because the resident Focus Groups felt that Atherton’s seniors had needs that are unique and significantly different than those of most communities directed by Café. The Task Force has focused on the very specific needs of Atherton residents that are not currently being met by other organizations in our area.
II) Learning to Date:
A) Early in the process we were told by many people outside of Atherton that our Seniors were probably:
- Lonely
- Looking for ways to fill their free time
- Seek Educational Seminars & Services for food and personal care/support that are not available to them
- Nervous about making their own independent decisions
B) Instead, we have found that the situation in Atherton and with nearby senior cohorts is quite different:
- The rapidly growing number of Seniors in Atherton (& the local area) have more unique needs than expected.
1) Size of the “Senior Market” in Atherton.
The US Census indicates that Atherton currently has:
- ~ 1,800 Seniors in the Town and growing
- ~ 320 Children under 10 years old and static in number or slowly decreasing 2) Loneliness & Time Allocation
- Our Seniors indicate that at this point of their lives, their personal time is their most precious asset
- Unlike their financial investments, it is not increasing and they are using it carefully to enjoy their family, friends, hobbies and personal work before “time runs out”
- That is, they are cognizant that their future health (at an undetermined time) will probably change their capabilities in these pursuits and they are not looking for extra time commitments that they haven’t prioritized that could take away their current prioritized plans
- All of that (including loneliness) may change if/when their medical condition changes
3) Personal Care & other Support Services.
- After researching our Seniors’ needs and what services are currently available in our area, we believe that virtually all such needs can be served here already - The County, PVI and countless local governments and local charities organize many well-done seminars - and all programs are available to our community 4) Seniors making their own decisions:
- Atherton seniors overwhelmingly voice that they were able to afford to live in and choose Atherton based on their own good decision-making capabilities - They do NOT want others making their decisions for them - However, they do endorse receiving real data and analysis to allow them to make a better-informed personal decision.
- Our Seniors strenuously object to having decisions made for them, or receiving “biased” information as real data
With this better understanding of the needs of our Seniors, we have accomplished and are planning the following:
III) Programs/Seminars to Date:
Several well-received events were held in 2024 & 2025
A) A general “Senior Wellness” and a specific “Falling” Seminar were held in the Council Chambers with ZOOM available.
- Both had ~ 25 residents in person and a similar number on ZOOM - Attendees provided positive reviews
- However, we soon realized that our library and other local organizations offered similar programs
- As a result, the library has established the beginnings of “Senior Area” in the library, and we are supporting it as the primary source of information for Atherton Seniors on all the local programs
Further we are working with the library to develop and promote their future programs for seniors
B) A Specific “Senior Housing Workshop” (i.e. “Your Personal Plan for Your Future Housing”) was held on Sept 27, 2024, at Jennings Pavilion
-It was the initial offering in a interactive “Workshop” style meeting that brings subject experts and motivated residents together in an educational discussion driven by Q+A from the attendees
- The goal was to provide real data and actionable information that would lead to attendees creating that own personal “Place Plan” for their future - ~ 100 residents attended in person, BUT a ZOOM capability did NOT exist at Jennings Pavilion (many more would have attended on ZOOM) - The session was focused on Seniors in Atherton, Woodside & Portola Valley and the vast majority were from Atherton
- Based on the post-meeting feed-back an update with greater specificity is being considered for ~ September 2026
IV) Future Planned Programs to Serve Atherton Seniors:
A) “Memory Action Workshop” on March 21st in Woodside
- Based on the support of the Council in Dec 2025, a two-day (separated by 1 month) Workshop will be held on March 21st & April 25th - The days are individually focused on Early Stages and Continued Decline in Memory and what indications exist and (even more important) what possible actions can you choose from
- Note: This fits our strategy for Atherton developed programs since it is very focused on the demographics of Atherton, a very “interactive” discussion with subject experts and it can lead to an individual, detailed action plan by our residents
B) “Senior Housing Options Update” in ~ September 2026
- As noted, this would be a follow-on with more specific details as requested by our Atherton residents
V) Senior Task Force Strategy & Needs:
A) Focus only on programs that are NOT available locally and:
-Are of critical importance to our Seniors (and agreed to by them) -Will save them their personal time by supplying research data, experts and resources for their consideration
-Allow our Seniors to make their own decisions that are based on their own needs
B) Publicity & Communication:
- We are working with the library and others to communicate about the local resources available
- We would appreciate all possible input on programs and other items that would be truly valuable to Atherton Seniors
-Since there are so many Seniors on Atherton Committees, we urge you to inform us of your committee’s views, suggestions and criticisms - We welcome more members of the Task Force, but would also be very appreciative of having a “Senior Task Force Advisory Board” that gives us guidance without a “workload”
C) Senior Task Force Future Needs:
- Input from residents and the Town as noted above
- Clarity on what resources will be available to the Task Force going forward:
1) Level of Staff support appropriate
2) Finances on room usage and miscellaneous expenditures (postage, light refreshments, etc.)
3) Potential outside assistance in creating a well-documented and searchable database on Atherton Seniors (This would be used for outreach to Seniors and understanding their needs by various age groups & other socioeconomic data) We welcome the opportunity to share this with the Committees and all residents
1. I would also add:
1. Census information:
• -We would like to know more about our seniors to understand how to create “market segments” beyond just the # of seniors in Atherton • That is, more specificity by age segment over 65, financials, time living in Atherton etc.
• The last US Census provides limited data, but does indicate that that the town has:
1. ~7,022 people
2. ~1,800 Seniors 65+
3. ~ 580 Children under 10 years old
4. 2) Surveying the “needs” and interests of our Seniors • In “Focus Groups” and casual conversations at our various sessions and meetings we have discovered the insights below
• However, this is an ongoing process and we need to continuously update the observations
• As per below, a better mailing & e-mail list for Seniors in Atherton would be very beneficial in getting their direct feedback
• It may be possible and appropriate to “buy” a commercially available list of seniors in 94027 and we will investigate that process
• Thus far we have discovered information on the topics listed below 3) Current view of Seniors Needs and Requests:
• Early in the process we were told by many people outside of Atherton that our Seniors could be lonely, looking for ways to fill their time and nervous about making their independent decisions.
• But, instead, we have found that the situation in Atherton and with nearby Cohorts is actually quite different:
• Time, Money & Independence; we found that our Seniors got to 94027 by working very hard, investing their time and money in successful projects and making their own critical decisions
• What we found is that our Seniors:
4. a)Time:
• -Realize that they only have limited time left in life and want to use to the very fullest extent
• That is often traveling (especially with/to family)) & socializing with local friends & neighbors
• Medical appointments are now consuming a great amount of their “free time” and they are careful where to spend the rest
• b) Money:
• Cash is not normally an immediate concern, but their is a lingering concern that they just might live longe enough to consume a lot of their savings & they watch their cashflow accordingly
• The continued increases in utility bills, taxes and fees are of significant concern c) Independence:
• They pride themselves creating their own success and continue to want to make their own decisions and control their own destiny
• They do not approve of others (particularly government) taking away their independence and/or making decisions for them
With these current insights, our goals are to:
1. Continue to learn what Seniors find to be of real value
2. Continue the items that have resonated the most are programs that save the seniors time by succinctly presenting information and options that save them time in doing all the research independently
3. -Further, an opportunity to discuss & review their conclusions with peers has been very well received
4. Thus, our focus on the future is:
1. Advertise and communicate information on the many already existing support programs for Seniors that exist in our area
2. Continue to seek better ways to communicate with Seniors and learn of their unmet needs
3. Focus on a VERY few (2 to 3) projects annually that truly add value to our Seniors in that they:
4. -Save personal time by having others research & summarize an issue that is critical to them
• Be able to “brainstorm” that issue with relatives and friends to build even more comfort in their plans
• Can feel confident in making their own “Informed Decision” after the session In short, we will support our seniors as people that can use our help to save them their precious time.