2024-2027
AGE-FRIENDLY
FOSTER CITY
Senior Trip to Garre Vineyards in Livermore, CA.
Age-Friendly Initiative
02. Table of Contents
AGE-FRIENDLY FOSTER CITY | ACTION PLAN 2024-2027 01
CONTENTS
Letter from the Mayor
04. City Profile
05. Domains of Livability
06. Action Steps
14. Acknowledgements
16. Transportation
Housing
Social Participation
Respect & Inclusion
Civic Participation & Employment
Public Spaces
Health & Community Services
Communication & Information
There are currently over 700 Age-Friendly
Communities in the US recognized by AARP. To join
the Age-Friendly Network, local governments
commit to completing an assessment and working
towards making improvements for older residents
in key domains of community life:
Foster City joined AARP's Age-Friendly Communities
network in 2020 with support from the Center for
Age Friendly Excellence (CAFE). This report marks
the next phase of the project in which the City will
work towards addressing the needs identified in the
assessment phase.
Four priorities that were identified by residents and
community leaders are outlined on the next page.
AGE-FRIENDLY
INITIATIVE
Age-Friendly Communities are
actively working towards inclusive
infrastructure, policies, and programs
that support residents of all ages.
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03AGE-FRIENDLY FOSTER CITY | ACTION PLAN 2024-2027
FOCUS AREAS
Volunteer &EmploymentOpportunities
Access to informationabout services &activities
Connecting isolatedcommunitymembers
Organizingongoing Age-Friendly efforts
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33,511
Part of what inspired the Age-Friendly Communities initiative is the rapidly growing older adult population around the world. Foster City's population is projected to follow these trends.
05 CITY PROFILE
AGE-FRIENDLY FOSTER CITY | ACTION PLAN 2024-2027
Total Population > 1 in 5 residents is 60+
37.4%
Of the population age 60+ in Foster City...
live alone
50.7%
have a Bachelor's
degree or higher
7.8%
are veterans
28.4%
are employed
21.9%
speak English less
than "very well"
58.7%
of renter's pay >30%
of income on rent
American Community Survey 2021 5-Year Estimates Table S0102 Vision: People of all ages can easily navigate the
City, regardless of their mode of transportation.
PJCC's Get Up and Go Program
Program Highlight
TRANSPORTATION
06 Challenges
Assets
AGE-FRIENDLY FOSTER CITY | ACTION PLAN 2024-2027
The Peninsula Jewish Community Center (PJCC)
manages the free Get Up and Go transportation
program for non-driving older adults that need
assistance traveling to appointments or running
errands in order to continue living safely and
comfortably at home. The program operates
Monday - Friday and is supported by volunteer
drivers and Section 5310 funding. The City of Foster
City collaborates with PJCC by referring clients and
providing support on grant applications.
Foster City Village offers members rides to
appointments, errands, and social activities with
volunteer drivers.
As a newer, planned city, many sidewalks are in good
condition and are designed better than in
neighboring cities.
SamTrans offers discounted fares for passengers 65
years old and up.
PJCC's Get Up and Go Program (see below).
Focus group participants felt that public
transportation options were not convenient enough
to be useful (frequency, locations, speed)
Focus groups felt that there wasn't enough widely
available information about transportation options,
especially for those without computer access.
Vision: A variety of safe housing options meet
resident's accessibility and affordability needs.
Foster City Village In-Home Support
Program Highlight
HOUSING
07 Challenges
Assets
AGE-FRIENDLY FOSTER CITY | ACTION PLAN 2024-2027
Foster City Village, a local nonprofit organization,
offers volunteer support that helps older adult
members remain in their homes and
communities for as long as possible. For
example, the Village offers handyman services,
organization help, gardening, and regular phone
check-ins. The Village has received grant support
through City Council’s annual nonprofit funding
program and utilizes office and programming
space in city facilities.
Metro Center Senior Homes and Alma Point at Foster
Square have 125 affordable housing units reserved
for adults age 62 and over.
HIP Housing manages 500+ units of affordable
housing in the County and runs a home sharing
program to facilitate shared room and ADU rentals.
The City of Foster City maintains a website that
provides Below Market Rate Housing resources.
The County’s new Doorway Housing Portal website
makes it easier to apply to affordable rentals.
Foster City Village In-Home Support (see below).
All focus groups identified the high cost of housing
and lack of affordable options as a major concern.
Affordable housing options in Foster City have years-
long waitlists.
There are very limited options for in-home care and
assisted living facilities in Foster City.
Vision: People of all ages have the opportunity to
engage in community life.
Parks and Recreation Senior Programs
Program Highlight
The Foster City Parks and Recreation Department has
a dedicated space for seniors in the Recreation Center
where older adults can participate in a variety of
programs including drop-in games and activities, art,
exercise classes, a "55+ Club," and free movie
screenings. The Recreation Center also serves as a
hub for information about senior services such as
nutrition support, resource hotlines, health
information, and senior housing.
SOCIAL PARTICIPATION
08 Challenges
Assets The San Mateo County Library offers a variety of in- person and online lectures, classes, book clubs, and
music events.
Foster City Village has been operating since 2013 to
provide older adult members with social connection
and support.
Parks and Recreation Senior Programs (see below).
AGE-FRIENDLY FOSTER CITY | ACTION PLAN 2024-2027
Public events, such as summer concerts, can be
difficult for older adults to attend due to limited
accessible parking and alternative transit options.
Many older adults continue to feel uncomfortable
participating in large indoor group settings after the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Vision: All members of the community feel
welcome and valued.
Program Highlight
RESPECT & INCLUSION
09 Challenges
Assets
AGE-FRIENDLY FOSTER CITY | ACTION PLAN 2024-2027
Focus group participants expressed interest in more
opportunities to connect with younger people in the
community.
Focus groups felt that there are more opportunities
for the City to engage its diverse religious, cultural, and ethnic groups in community events.
San Mateo Adult & Career Education Partnership
The San Mateo Adult & Career Education School
partners with the Foster City Recreation Center to
expand the art and health classes available to older
adults at the Center. In addition to specific
programming for life-long learning, targeting older
students, the school also offers affordable career
development, language, and GED classes online and
in-person for people of all ages to participate in
together.
The Parks and Recreation Department has
developed a variety of robust community
partnerships that support and promote their aging
services programming including the Foster City
Rotary Club, Foster City Village, The San Mateo Adult
School, and the San Mateo County Library System
(see below).
Meals on Wheels through Peninsula Volunteers, Inc.,
delivers hot meals to the home of persons age 60 or
over who are homebound and unable to shop and
prepare their own meals.
Samaritan House, a recipient of the City’s non-profit
funding allocation program, provides a variety of
health and social services to the community.
Vision: There are opportunities for all residents to
contribute through paid and volunteer work.
Program Highlight
CIVIC PARTICIPATION & EMPLOYMENT
10 Challenges
Assets The Public Works Department conducted focus
groups, including one specifically for older adults,
when planning the new Recreation Center that will
begin construction in 2024.
The City has volunteer opportunities in Parks and
Recreation, Police, Fire, and the City Clerk's office.
SMC AAA Community Assessment Survey (see below).
The City hosted a Civics Academy where residents had
the opportunity to learn more about local government
through a free seven-week program.
AGE-FRIENDLY FOSTER CITY | ACTION PLAN 2024-2027
Foster City has a Youth Advisory Committee, but no
specific advisory committee for older adults to
participate in.
Focus group participants expressed interest in more
opportunities for retirees to volunteer their
professional skills.
San Mateo County AAA Community Assessment Survey
In 2023, Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) across the state
of California are implementing the same needs
assessment survey. In San Mateo County, 3,200
residents age 55+ were randomly selected to receive
the survey in the mail, which has been translated into
seven languages and can be filled out online or on
paper. The results of the survey will be used to
develop the San Mateo County AAA 2024-2028 Area
Plan and to ensure state programming aligns with
community needs.
Vision: All residents feel informed about local
services, programs, and activities.
SMC Emergency Advice Line for Aging & Older Adults
Program Highlight
San Mateo County offers a 24-hour hotline (1-800-675-
8437) staffed by social workers and public health
nurses that older adults, caregivers, and people with
disabilities can call to access information and
resources. Callers receive referrals to service options and in emergency situations, shelter, food, and in-
home services can be provided until a long-term
solution is found to ensure health and safety.
However, based on focus group responses, this service
could be advertised more widely.
COMMUNICATION & INFORMATION
11 Challenges
Assets The Parks and Recreation Department publishes a
quarterly Senior Programs newsletter, hosts
educational seminars, maintains a Senior Programs
webpage, and regularly distributes materials
highlighting local resources for older adults. Partners with AARP to provide free one-on-one tax assistance.
The Communications Division utilizes online media,
news outlets, printed materials, FCTV, and events.
Emergency Advice Line for Older Adults (see below).
AGE-FRIENDLY FOSTER CITY | ACTION PLAN 2024-2027
Focus groups participants said they didn’t know
where to go to get reliable information about
services.
Focus group participants felt too much information is
only available online and they would prefer to
receive more information in the mail.
Vision: There are convenient resources available to
help residents stay happy and healthy.
Free Groceries at the Foster City Recreation Center
Program Highlight
COMMUNITY & HEALTH SERVICES
12 Challenges
Assets
The Foster City Police Department works directly
with Adult Protective Services (APS) to ensure
appropriate referrals are made.
The Parks and Recreation Department partners with
the local Rotary Club to offer monthly $5 healthy,
social lunches for older adults.
Samaritan House, a recipient of the City’s non-profit
funding allocation program, provides a variety of
services such as free clinics and food assistance
programs.
Free groceries at the Recreation Center (see below).
AGE-FRIENDLY FOSTER CITY | ACTION PLAN 2024-2027
Second Harvest Food Bank provides pre-boxed
groceries every first and third Friday at the Foster
City Recreation Center. Boxes include healthy
staples like milk, produce, chicken, eggs, and
bread. Older adults who are Foster City residents
can pick up groceries twice a month, or have a
caregiver or friend pick them up. Participants in
the Center's service clubs often volunteer to help
distribute the food alongside other volunteers
from local businesses.
Focus groups felt that, especially following the
isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, more mental
health resources are needed specifically or older
people.
Focus groups felt that a lack of transportation to
medical appointments is a major barrier to receiving
health care.
Vision: City spaces, such as parks and public
buildings, are accessible and inviting.
ADA Transition Planning
Program Highlight
The Public Works Department is in the process of
making an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Transition Plan. This will involve an extensive
evaluation of all current City programs and buildings
to inform the development of a plan to improve. As
part of this process, there will be a City-wide survey
that residents can fill out to provide input on the plan.
In addition to online promotion, paper copies of the
surveys will be available at City facilities so that access to technology is not a barrier to participation.
PUBLIC SPACES
13 Challenges
Assets All furniture in the Senior Wing of the Recreation Center was chosen with comfort and accessibility for
older adults in mind.
The Public Library is installing new outdoor furniture
to provide a space for the community to enjoy.
Residents can submit non-emergency issues through
the Foster City Access app.
ADA Transition Planning (see below).
AGE-FRIENDLY FOSTER CITY | ACTION PLAN 2024-2027
Focus group participants expressed interest in more
outdoor seating in public parks to enable social
gatherings.
Focus groups felt that paths should be wider to
safely accommodate pedestrians walking both
directions and bicycles.
14 Focus Area Activities/Projects
Organizing
ongoing Age-
Friendly efforts
Make sure all City departments are aware of the
Age-Friendly initiative.
Provide annual updates at City Council, Citizen
Advisory Committee, Interdepartmental Evaluation
Committee, and Executive Staff meetings.
Meet with the County’s Age-Friendly Coordinating
group to discuss opportunities to collaborate,
secure funds, and find a County-wide AF
coordinator through a paid position, AmeriCorps
volunteers, or Encore Fellows.
Research how other Age-Friendly Communities
have planned to support and sustain their
initiatives.
Access to
information about
services &
activities
Reevaluate the use of existing communication
channels.
Identify strategies to improve access to information
about services and opportunities for older adults.
Reach out to non-profit and community
organizations that provide services and support to
older adults to find ways to increase awareness of
their services and share information through their
communication channels.
Organize programming to bring these resources
together for in-person information exchange.
On the “Community” page of the City website, add a
link to a dedicated resource page for older adults.
Foster City's assessment process identified the following four areas as priorities for the next three years.
ACTION STEPS
AGE-FRIENDLY FOSTER CITY | ACTION PLAN 2024-2027
15 Focus Area Activities/Projects
Connecting
isolated
community
members
Research best practices in the Respect & Social
Inclusion domain from other Age-Friendly Cities.
Identify strategies to address social isolation,
recognize Foster City’s accomplished elders, and
identify ways to foster greater intergenerational
connection.
Implement strategies identified.
Volunteer &
Employment
Opportunities
Recruit a working committee of interested
community members that will focus on identifying
and implementing strategies to provide easier
access to current volunteer and employment
opportunities.
Explore the feasibility of enhancing existing
programs to fill in gaps within City senior services.
Evaluate the feasibility of expanding the volunteer
program beyond the City organization to network
with other volunteer programs in our community
and throughout the County.
AGE-FRIENDLY FOSTER CITY | ACTION PLAN 2024-2027
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Senior Meals Program, Foster City Recreation Center
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Age-Friendly Foster City Task Force
Sam Hindi, Councilmember, Foster City Council
Dante Hall, former Acting City Manager
Jennifer Phan, former Principal Analyst, City Manager
Jennifer Liu, former Director of Parks and Recreation
Deborah Owdom, former Chair, Parks and Recreation
Citizen’s Advisory Committee (PRC)
Steve Okamoto, Resident, Former Council and PRC
Member
Amit Saini, Resident, Former PRC member
Ray Rosenthal, Resident, Lions Club
Patricia Player-Maxwell, Resident, Founder – Foster City Village, Rotary Club
Julie Paping, former City of Foster City HR Analyst
Foster City Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Committee Foster City 55+ Club
Foster City Council
Foster City Staff
Foster City Village
San Mateo Adult & Career Education School
Peninsula Jewish Community Center (PJCC)
San Mateo County Libraries
Center for Age-Friendly Excellence (CAFE)
We thank you for your support in our efforts to make
Foster City a livable community for residents of all ages.
This project is being led by the Foster City Parks &
Recreation Department, but would not be
possible without the support of our partners:
CONTACT
Foster City Parks &
Recreation
650 Shell Blvd.
Foster City, CA 94404
www.fostercity.org
[email protected]
650-286-3390
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