AGE-FRIENDLY
FREMONT
ACTION PLAN UPDATE 2025
Health and Wellness | 32 | Age-Friendly Fremont Action Plan
CONTENT
Fremont is Aging
Policy Platform
History
Domains
Welcome Letter from City of Fremont Senior Citizen’s Commission Key Themes
Survey Response
Age-Friendly Domains
• Health and Wellness
• Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
• Transportation
• Social Participation and Inclusion
• Volunteering and Civic Engagement
• Community Information
• Employment and Learning
• Housing
• Dementia-Related Support
Focus Groups
Age-Friendly Partners
City of Fremont Senior Citizen’s Commission
4 6
6 7
8 8
9 10
28 30
31 Age Group
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0 -1,000
-2,000 Change in Population Size
0 – 5
-1,376
5 – 17
+2,089
18 – 24
-500
25 – 44
+6,468
45 – 64
+4,896
65+
+7,545
Change in population size by age group from 2010 to 2022 Health and Wellness | 54 | Age-Friendly Fremont Action Plan Between the 2010 census and the 2022 City of Fremont community survey data, the number of older adults living in Fremont has increased. In fact, the percentage of older adults as a proportion of the City’s population has dramatically grown while some of the younger age groups have declined.
Residents over the age of 85 years increased
by almost 70% during this time period.
IS AGING
FREMONT
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0 Percentage Change of Population
% change of population by age group from 2010 to 2022
Age Group
Question options
0–5
-0.09%
5–17
Very unhappy Unhappy Neutral Happy Very Happy
+6%
18–24
-4%
25–44
+10%
45–54
-3%
55–64
+28%
65–74
+32%
75–84 85+
+68%
+12%
15 (4.3%)
7 (2.0%)
76 (22.0%)
111 (32.1%)
137 (39.6%)
Health and Wellness | 76 | Age-Friendly Fremont Action Plan
PLATFORM
POLICY
• Seek to improve older adults’ quality of life by promoting the development of safe, accessible, and vibrant age-friendly environments. • Promote positive, purposeful roles for older adults in civic engagement, (See older adults not as a problem but as a solution).
• Promote positive images of aging which seek to affirm the aging process as a natural progression of life.
• Support County, State and Federal legislation that advances livable environments for older adults and adequate benefits through Social Security and Medicare.
• Promote the creation of neighborhoods with a strong sense of place, where neighbors support each other and share their skills and support to navigate the challenges and opportunities of aging.
• Support reliable, affordable and high-quality telecommunication for all. • Promote social networks and services which allow older adults to age safely and successfully, enjoying strong community connections, less isolation, increased independence and enhanced purpose of life.
As approved by City of Fremont Council on October 20, 2020 The City of Fremont joined the WHO/AARP effort in 2017 and completed our first Age Friendly Action Plan 2020-2025.
In 2019, Governor Gavin Newson signed an Executive Order calling for the development of the California Master Plan on Aging. In 2021, the Master Plan was launched and affirms the priority of the health and well-being of older Californians and people with disabilities. It is a ‘blueprint’ for the public and private sector to prepare the state for demographics changes. The plan outlines five goals to build a California for All Ages by 2030: Housing for All Ages & Stages; Health Reimagined; Inclusion & Equity, Not Isolation; Caregiving that Works; and Affordable Aging.
Fremont’s Age Friendly work aligns with the emergent focus at the county, state, federal, and international level to best leverage resources to meet the growing needs of our increasing older adult population.
History
The World Health Organization’s Global Age-Friendly Network was launched in 2008 to foster an exchange of experiences and provide a forum for mutual learning worldwide. In the United States the Age-Friendly effort is a partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Currently there are 1,500+ cities in 51 countries who are members of the WHO Network. There are 875 AARP Age-Friendly members, including 93 AARP members in California.
Domains
Below is a crosswalk of the California Master Plan 5 Goals and the COF Age Friendly Action Plan’s Nine Domains.
California Master Plan Goals COF WHO/AARP Domains
Health Reimagined Health and Wellness
Housing for All Stages & Ages
Housing
Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
Inclusion & Equity, Not Isolation
Community Information
Volunteering and Civic Engagement
Employment and Learning Opportunities
Social Participation and Inclusion
Transportation
Caregiving the Works Dementia-Related Support
Affordable Aging
Older adults are most concerned about:
• Being included in decisions that affect
them;
• Falling;
• Being able to prepare nutritious meals;
• Maintaining their homes; and
• Being valued.
Older adults:
• Feel connected to their
neighborhood;
• Want to participate in helping
others;
• Aspire to a long healthspan; and
• Want to learn and utilize
technology.
Health and Wellness | 98 | Age-Friendly Fremont Action Plan The City’s first Age Friendly Action Plan 2020-2025 included input from 35 focus groups that mirrored our diverse population, several community meetings, and the analysis of survey data from local older adults. This inaugural plan outlined the vision of an Age Friendly Fremont as defined by nine areas of focus, or domains.
This year, City staff revisited the domain areas once again to hear through focus groups and survey data about what has changed and what strategic actions residents recommend for continued investment in being an age-friendly city.
It is noteworthy that the Covid Pandemic disrupted older resident’s lives greatly during the Action Plan 2020-2025 time. While City services adjusted to the changed environment, such as providing social worker visits outside on client’s home porches and distributing meals to people’s cars, older adults reported missing family member visits and going to events and activities. The effects of isolation led to residents deferring medical care and feelings of sadness and depression.
Even with the pandemic and an increase in older residents, the majority of survey respondents (70%) state that Fremont is a good place to age. The City provides an array of programs from health promotion to maintain independence to case management and counseling support for those at the end of their life. An age- friendly city is a livable place for everyone. Continuing to work on age friendly excellence is a worthy goal. This update outlines action steps that incorporate the voice of older residents and can guide efforts on a short term and aspirational level.
ACTION PLAN
FREMONT AGE FRIENDLY
Update 2025
Key Themes
How concerned do you currently feel about each of the statements below? Question options
Extremely
concerned
Moderately
concerned
Somewhat
concerned
Slight
concerns
Not at all
concerned
1000 200 300 400
Being valued by your
community for pasts and
present contributions
Being included in
making decisions that
affect your lifestyle
Being able to
prepare healthy,
nutritious food
Falling (being
at risk for falls)
Having the
ability to maintain
your home
Having enough income to meet
all your basic needs such as
food, medical care, housing, etc.
Finding a health
care provider
such as a doctor
Personal safety
and protection
from abuse
Being isolated
from others
70% of respondents feel Fremont is a good place to live During the Covid pandemic older Fremont residents stated they missed seeing their family as much as they usually did and missed going out to events and activities.
Health and Wellness | 1110 | Age-Friendly Fremont Action Plan Aspirational
1. All older adults have access to
primary care provider and dental
care regardless of health benefits.
2. All older adults understand and
have plans for multiple types of
emergency events such as fires,
floods, power outages,
and earthquakes.
3. Fremont is a healthy community
to age in with a focus on supporting
modifiable lifestyles factors and
wellness activities.
4. All older adults are physically,
cognitively, and emotionally
well for as long as possible.
Current Status
• Health Promotion activities such as exercise
classes, fall prevention, health screenings,
and outdoor exercise equipment in parks.
• Social workers, resident service managers,
and health promoters provide education
and help coordinate care.
• Counselors provide individual and group
therapy.
Action Steps
Years 1 and 2: 2025-2026
1. Increase access to medication
reviews. Partner with pharmacists to
review client-provided medication
list for 100 residents annually.
Pharmacists will consult with
residents and advise them on any
issues to discuss with their doctor.
2. Train and support first responders
in providing services to older
adults. Participate in respective
departmental trainings to increase
understanding of challenges of aging,
available supportive services, and
warm handoffs.
3. Provide support for food security
and nutrition education. Provide
food pantries and farmer’s markets
that bring healthy, fresh food to
senior housing complexes and Age
Well Centers. Provide classes on the
importance of nutritious food
as health.
4. Continue to promote and increase
access to culturally sensitive
emotional wellbeing and mental
health services to underserved
populations, specifically to the
American Asian Pacific Islander
older adults by providing community
classes where AAPI older adults
naturally congregate.
5 Years: 2025-2030
1. Strengthen emergency preparedness
for older adults and their families.
Work with first responders to develop
informational materials, disseminate
information to older adults and their
caregivers, and provide 1:1 and group
trainings on preparedness. Promote
Open Data Hub links to emergency
information such as evacuation
warnings and PG&E power shut
outage alerts.
HEALTH AND
WELLNESS
An Age-Friendly community provides adequate access to all levels of healthcare and services that maintain and restore health. Accessible medical and social services and emergency planning are vital to independent living.
The Fremont Community is asking for health and wellness to be accessible, safe, and affordable.
Health and Wellness | 1312 | Age-Friendly Fremont Action Plan Current Status
• Outdoor parks continue to be improved
to meet the needs of older adults
including adequate seating, appropriate
exercise equipment, bathrooms,
walkways, lighting, shade to rest,
and picnic areas.
• Interactive mapping applications show
locations of parks, community centers,
and recreation opportunities.
• Older adults have access to indoor
and outdoor games such as pickleball
and bocce ball.
Action Steps
Years 1 and 2: 2025-2026
1. Establish and promote walking
groups at the Age Well Centers,
in neighborhoods, senior housing,
and in parks.
2. Upgrade restrooms throughout
the city park system.
3. Add adult exercise equipment
at Central Park and widen
surrounding sidewalks.
5 Years: 2025-2030
1. Open new multi-use Community
Center at Central Park with an
outdoor living room for outside
activities.
2. Add four more pickleball courts
and a dog park at Vallejo Mill
Historical Park.
3. Public parks have easy to read
signage, intermittent benches
and restrooms, and good lighting.
Aspirational
Create outdoor programs for older adults
that encourage enjoyment of fresh air,
movement, and connection to others.
OUTDOOR SPACES
AND BUILDINGS
An Age-Friendly community has outdoor spaces that
are safe, clean, and enjoyable with adequate pedestrian infrastructure. Public buildings and businesses should be secure, welcoming, and accessible for all ages.
The Fremont Community is asking for outdoor spaces
and buildings to be inviting, safe, and educational.
Health and Wellness | 1514 | Age-Friendly Fremont Action Plan Current Status
• Comprehensive
• Individualized
• Individual and Group
Proposed Action Steps
Years 1 and 2: 2025-2026
1. Increase multilingual Travel Training
activities at Age Well Centers and
senior housing complexes.
2. Address service equity for individuals
using wheelchairs by implementing same-
day accessible transportation services.
3. In partnership with AC Transit, provide
free tether straps and markings to identify
securement points on wheelchairs so
riders can travel safely on transit and
paratransit.
4. Offer driving safety materials and
workshops to help older adults maintain
driving safety as they age and transition
to alternative transportation options
when they are no longer able to drive.
5. Promote travel safety through the
dissemination of Vision Zero and
other pedestrian safety information.
6. In collaboration with Bike East Bay,
promote bike safety and travel through
classroom and on-the-bike workshops.
5 Years: 2025-2030
1. In partnership with Public Works
Department, conduct walking audits
of neighborhoods surrounding senior
housing facilities, shopping centers and
other activity hubs in order to identify
and improve areas needing walkability
and accessibility improvements.
2. In partnership with Public Works
Department, identify community members
with mobility limitations who may need
better access near their homes including
sidewalk repairs, curb cuts or designation
of disabled parking spaces.
Aspirational
1. Pedestrian crossings have needed signals,
flashing beacons, and adequate time for
older adults to safely cross.
TRANSPORTATION
An Age-Friendly community has a variety of reliable, accessible, and affordable transportation options along with mobility education that allows residents to be connected to all areas and services in the community.
The Fremont Community is asking for transportation to be affordable, convenient, and accessible.
Health and Wellness | 1716 | Age-Friendly Fremont Action Plan Current Status
• Age Well Centers are community hubs to
meet friends, enjoy classes, attend cultural
activities, educational events, and have a
nutritious meal with others.
• Community Ambassador Program for
Seniors (CAPS) is a civic partnership with
local cultural, faith-based, and neighborhood
volunteers who help older adults where they
naturally congregate.
Proposed Action Steps
Years 1 and 2: 2025-2026
1. Expand celebrating diversity outreach for
LGBTQ+ Older Adults by participating in two
community events a year, like the Wellness
Expo and the LGBTQ+ Resource Fair.
2. Increase intergenerational activities
opportunities to engage with youth such
as mentoring programs, cooperative
efforts between seniors and local
elementary schools. Improve and build
upon existing programs like the Leitch
Elementary Reading program and the
Mental Health Awareness Art competition.
5 Years: 2025-2030
1. Conduct a joint annual Tri-City Senior
Commission Meetings which includes
Union City, Newark, and Fremont
Commissioners to discuss items of
mutual interest.
2. Continue to provide and expand
intergenerational technology education
and coaching at the Age Well Centers.
Aspirational:
1. Neighborhood Villages established in
multiple neighborhoods modeled after
the Greater Niles Village.
2. Events are marketed using multiple media
platforms, are easily accessible through
various public transportation options,
and have diverse written materials and
language capabilities, including American
Sign-Language.
SOCIAL PARTICIPATION
AND INCLUSION
An Age-Friendly community has affordable and accessible activities, and events and opportunities for social engagement open to people of all ages, cultures, and abilities.
The Fremont Community is asking for social participation and inclusion to be inclusive, intergenerational, and local. 18 | Age-Friendly Fremont Action Plan Health and Wellness | 19 Current Status
The Aging and Family Services
Division enjoys the support of
hundreds of volunteers. Residents are
Community Ambassadors supporting
the dissemination of information and
support; Senior Peer Counselors and
Coaches that offer 1:1 support to other
older adults; Age Well Center volunteers
provide operational support including,
preparing lunch, working in the office, and
assisting visitors. Other volunteers provide
assistance with special community events
like Earth Day, Make a Difference Day, the
Wellness Expo.
Proposed Action Steps
Years 1 and 2: 2025-2026
1. Organize annual volunteer
recognition events.
2. Create awareness of volunteer
opportunities and promote health
benefits of civic engagement.
3. Age Well Centers continue to be a
hub where older adult volunteers can
find and participate in meaningful
civic engagement opportunities.
5 Years: 2025-2030
1. Develop centralized volunteer
database and systems to organize,
schedule, and track volunteer
activities, organize volunteers and
manage volunteer opportunities.
2. Create short term volunteering
opportunities to allow for autonomy
and flexibility.
Aspirational
1. Older adults are revered for being
conduits to civic engagement and
productive connections throughout
the city.
2. Create a Citywide Volunteer
Coordinator position to help promote,
recruit, train, and place older adult
volunteers in a variety of volunteer
opportunities.
VOLUNTEER AND
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
An Age-Friendly community values the experience and
knowledge of older adults and their contribution to public decision-making for the betterment of the community.
The Fremont Community is asking for volunteer
and civic engagement to be coordinated, accessible,
and meaningful.
Health and Wellness | 2120 | Age-Friendly Fremont Action Plan Current Status
• Monthly Age Friendly Fremont Newsletter
available in English and Chinese
• Programs are currently promoted at the Age
Well Centers, on Fremont.gov, flyers, local
cable channels, email distribution, Facebook
and the Tri-City Voice.
• Senior InfoLine is answered by experienced
social workers, offers information and
referrals, and is available in English, Mandarin,
Spanish, and Farsi.
Proposed Action Steps
Years 1 and 2: 2025-2026
1. Post information in Tri-City Voice and
other media forms once a quarter.
2. Increase awareness of technology
support to ensure older adults can use
technology to communicate, order goods
and services, access transportation and
receive telemedicine.
3. Older adults contribute to Age Friendly
Fremont Newsletter with features that
share their perspective and wisdom.
5 Years: 2025-2030
1. Promote Citywide WI-FI capacity
and support access for older adults.
2. Develop module and add information
specific to available senior services,
how to contact an Aging and Family
Services Social Worker, and relevant
resources to the City of Fremont’s
‘Fremont App’.
Aspirational
Older adults have access to accurate,
timely, local, information that is diverse,
relevant, and accessible.
COMMUNITY
INFORMATION
An Age-Friendly community has information that is timely, multilingual, delivered through multiple sources, and is distributed widely.
The Fremont Community is asking for community
information to be centralized, multilingual, and varied.
Subscribe today to the
Age Friendly Fremont
Newsletter by scanning
the QR Code to the right.
Health and Wellness | 23
Current Activities
Current classes are offered on a regular
basis that improve computer skills,
teach English as a Second Language, and
develop writing skills.
Proposed Action Steps
Years 1 and 2: 2025-2026
1. Expand technology education
to ensure older adults can use
technology to communicate,
order goods and services, access
transportation and receive
telemedicine.
2. Promote the Workforce Training
Resource link as a tool to increase
awareness about low-cost/free,
short-term training opportunities.
3. Highlight the benefits of having
an intergenerational workforce.
5 Years: 2025-2030
1. Partner with Ohlone College Career
Center and Fremont Adult and
Continuing Education to promote an
Age-Friendly, intergenerational Job Fair.
2. Explore with the Alameda County
Workforce Investment Board an
Age-Friendly intergenerational
Symposium.
3. Offer classes helping to prepare
residents for retirement, as well
as life changes one can anticipate
with the aging process.
4. Create opportunities to mentor
students at local schools.
Aspirational
1. Older adults who need to work to
maintain financial stability have
access to supportive programs that
promote self-sufficiency and help
them reach their goals.
2. Older adults who chose to work
because they see employment as
a purposeful role in their lives have
support and options.
3. Learning opportunities are intellectually
stimulating, promote continual
growth and challenge the mind.
EMPLOYMENT AND
LEARNING
An Age-Friendly community has sufficient and varied
employment to support financial independence and
varied educational opportunities to satisfy interests
in life-long learning.
The Fremont Community is asking for employment and
learning to be supportive, affordable, and culturally diverse.
Health and Wellness | 2524 | Age-Friendly Fremont Action Plan Current Status
• Social workers, nurses, and counselors
visit clients in their homes.
• Resident services are available at 4
low -income senior housing facilities.
Proposed Action Steps
Years 1 and 2: 2025-2026
1. Conduct home safety assessments
and provide education about improving
the home environment if indicated.
2. Continue support for unhoused
older adults.
3. Provide housing rehab services, including
home modifications to residents.
5 Years: 2025-2030
1. Support development of co-op
housing development.
2. Advocate for older adult housing
with supportive services.
3. Continue to work with housing
developers to construct affordable
housing, including supportive
housing, targeted to older adults.
4. Increase awareness about Accessory
Dwelling Unit construction.
Aspirational
• Development of additional units of affordable
housing targeted for older adults.
• An array of housing options such as shared
housing, co-housing, supportive housing,
where a service component is provided with
housing as well as independent living are
affordable and available.
HOUSING
An Age-Friendly community has housing options which
are affordable, safe, and conveniently located near public transportation, business, and services. Additionally, affordable home maintenance, safety modifications, and support to live at home are needed.
The Fremont Community is asking for housing to be affordable, convenient, and shared.
Health and Wellness | 27
Current Status
• Annual Caregiver Retreat
• Annual Caregiver Educational Series
• Individual counseling and support
groups for caregivers
Proposed Action Steps
Years 1 and 2: 2025-2026
1. Train first responders on aspects of
dementia, including communication,
neglect, and safety for individuals
with memory loss.
2. Formalize support with first
responders to find missing older
adults within the community and
return them safely to their home.
3. Partner to train volunteers on
resources for caregivers and how
to support family caregivers in
their role.
4. Align with and participate in County
Healthy Brain Initiative to increase
awareness and advance cognitive
health as a component of public health.
5 Years: 2025-2030
1. Educate neighborhood groups
on understanding dementia care
and support.
Aspirational
• Caregivers have access to affordable,
dependable respite options.
• Individuals know where to find and
have access to local dementia diagnostic
and supportive services.
• An IHSS outpost in South County
to recruit and train local caregivers.
DEMENTIA-RELATED
SUPPORT
An Age-Friendly community respects individuals with
memory challenges and supports their network of caregivers.
The Fremont Community is asking for dementia-related
support to be high-tech, affordable, and compassionate. 26 | Age-Friendly Fremont Action Plan
Health and Wellness | 2928 | Age-Friendly Fremont Action Plan 22%
65-74 years
11%
55-64 years
8%
85+ years
2%
with
friends
22%
with
family
33%
75-84 years
52%
married
29%
widowed
70%
Gender Age
Health
32%
11-30 years
23%
less than 10 years
46%
more than 30 years
36%
very good
70%
female
30%
male
45%
good
Years in Fremont
Martial Status
caregivers
21%
Caregivers
identified as
disabled
19%
Disability
40%
live with spouse
34%
live alone
Living Situation
19%
fair to poor
8%
single
9%
divorced
GROUPS
FOCUS
Sixteen community focus groups were held in seven languages:
English, Spanish, ASL, Dari, Hindi, Punjabi, and Chinese. • Afghan Elderly Association
• Age Well Lake Fremont
• Age Well South Fremont
• Celebrating Diversity Circle
• Cottonwood Senior Housing
• Family Caregiver Support Group
• Greater Niles Village
• Gurdwara
• Indo American Seniors Association of Fremont
• Latin American Seniors
• Oak Gardens
• Pauline Weaver Senior Housing
• Senior Citizens’ Commission
• Senior Peer Counselors
• Tri-City Elder Coalition
Focus Group Participants – Demographics
Focus Group Participants - Race and Ethnicity
3%
Pakistani
1%
Other Asian and/or
Pacific Islander
4%
Black
6%
Latina/o or
Hispanic
9%
Afghan
18%
Indian
39%
White
20%
Chinese
3%
Pakistani
1%
Other Asian and/or
Pacific Islander
4%
Black
6%
Latina/o or Hispanic
9%
Afghan
18%
Indian
39%
White
20%
Chinese
Health and Wellness | 3130 | Age-Friendly Fremont Action Plan Age-Friendly Networks
WHO & AARP
City of Fremont
– City Council
– Community Development
– Community Services
– Fire
– Human Services
– Informational Technology
– Police
– Public Works
– Volunteers
Alameda County
– Adult & Aging Services
– Alameda County Health
– Behavioral Health
– City Council
– City Managers Office
– Emergency Medical Services
– Housing and
Homelessness Services
– Library
– Public Health
– Social Services Agency
Local Partners
– Alzheimer’s Association
– Bay Area Community Health
– Eden Housing
– Faith Based Agencies
– Greater Niles Village
– Haller’s Pharmacy
– Home Safety Services
– TriCity Voice
– Washington Hospital
Focus Group Facilitators
– Adriana Casas
– Aisha Jasper
– Ihande Weber
– Jesleen Singh
– Karen Grimsich
– Kimbery Tsang
– Monica Gloria
– Nita Prasad
– Rogelia Sanroman
PARTNERS SENIOR CITIZEN’S
COMMISSION
AGE-FRIENDLY CITY OF FREMONT
Esther
Orobiyi
Barbara
Hamze
Carol
Evans
Claudette
Surma
Edwin
Lee
Dr. James
Thomas
Linnette
Young
Monique
Chapman
Kathleen
Fischer
Rebecca
Garewal
Roger
Marshall
Krishnaswamy
Narasimhan
Sonia
Salwan
©2024 City of Fremont
3300 Capitol Avenue Building B
Fremont CA 94537
AGE-FRIENDLY
FREMONT