Life Enrichment Committee
September 12, 2023
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Jestin D. Johnson FROM: Scott Means
City Administrator Interim Director, Human
Services
SUBJECT: Commission on Aging 2023
Informational Report
DATE: August 17, 2023
City Administrator Approval Date:
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends That The City Council Receive The Oakland Commission On Aging Annual Report For 2023.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This annual report from the Commission on Aging details their activities, observations, and recommendations on behalf of Oakland Seniors. Highlighted in this report is the Commission’s work on “Age Friendly Cities”.
BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
The WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities was established in 2010 to connect cities, communities, and organizations worldwide with the common vision of making their community a great place to grow old in.
In 2018, the City of Oakland entered the Global Network of Age Friendly Cities as recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, the Commission on Aging has sought community input, including hosting “Age Friendly” meetings in all seven districts and a community engagement survey still open for responses. Based on input from the community and internal knowledge, the Commission oversaw the preparation of the Oakland Age Friendly Cities Action Plan which contains recommendations for action priorities about seniors.
In October 2020, the Commission on Aging filed the City of Oakland Age Friendly Cities Action Plan as required by the WHOs Global Network of Age Friendly Cities. The American Association of Retired Persons (now known as AARP) accepted the report on behalf of WHO.
With the acceptance of this plan, the Commission on Aging entered its three-year implementation cycle starting July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2024.
Aug 29, 2023
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Commission on Aging 2023 Informational Report
Date: August 17, 2023 Page 2
Life Enrichment Committee
September 12, 2023
ANALYSIS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES
Summary of Key Findings in 2023 Commission on Aging Annual Report
The Commission witnessed unprecedented advancements in senior technology use during the pandemic. The Senior Center Advisory Board members held hybrid meetings and leadership activities. To support senior technology use Aging, Aging Services offered training and supplied lending tablets, some with cellular service, to accommodate members who do not have Wi-Fi access. Because of the elevated usage, we discovered information systems for senior benefit programs were not needed to be more equitably noticed, igniting an interest to improve information delivery systems, particularly around emergency events and opportunities for housing.
Pandemic lockdowns and government-imposed mandates that did not expire until July 2023 impacted seniors' mental health due to isolation and their need for in-person interactions despite advancements in the ability to connect through technology. The growing need for Case Managers was highlighted the lack of mental health and social worker resources in Alameda County. As an additional barrier, to qualify for most of the existing programs, seniors must be MediCal eligible. There is an ongoing problem in which seniors are forced to deplete their financial and property resources before they are eligible to receive adequate healthcare and mental health supports. Through a Congressional grant legislated by Barbara Lee, the Commission perceives an opportunity to pilot mental health supports for seniors to address issues brought up by pandemic isolation and other issues.
Senior food distribution programs expanded during the pandemic. However, options for senior meals, other than home delivered meals for high needs seniors, declined due to businesses changing their distribution model as pandemic funding expired. The East and West Oakland Senior Center members reject the government subsidized government-subsidized food program for quality and taste reasons, leaving those sites without on-site meal services. Options for the City to subsidize a senior lunch program are costly, and transporting food is often a major expense and obstacle. The Commission is working with Senior Center staff to identify options for senior lunches.
In the domain of housing, the Commission witnessed a growth in local housing stock and improvements to protections for Oakland seniors in the form of eviction moratoriums and legal representation. However, housing preservation is lacking for seniors unless they are homeowners. Simple improvements, such as grab bars in bathrooms, improves improve the livability of standard housing for seniors, many of whom are renters. There are private sector options for addressing the needs of renter access while protecting them from eviction after the property is improved.
The Commission on Aging sees value in developing inclusive public spaces that are accessible to people of all ages and abilities. The Commission supports the concept of an intergenerational structure that supports health through play. There are two identified spaces near Lake Merritt that wouldTwo identified spaces near Lake Merritt would be ideal due to the central location and proximity to the other City of Oakland facilities. The Commission has initial concept drawing drawings for this structure, so they are poised to ramp up this project, recognizing that funding will be a major barrier.
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Commission on Aging 2023 Informational Report
Date: August 17, 2023 Page 3
Life Enrichment Committee
September 12, 2023
The above Domains for Age Friendly Communities includes Council Priorities: housing, economic, and cultural security, vibrant sustainable infrastructure, and responsive trustworthy government.
Oakland Age Friendly Cities Action Plan
The Commission on Aging entered program implementation of the current Age Friendly Communities Action Plan. The WHO has identified “Eight Domains of Livability” through which jurisdictions may organize their work. The eight domains are depicted in the illustration below.
Source: AARP
Consistent with the WHO and AARP direction, the Commission on Aging has focused its efforts on communications, health, housing, and open spaces. Implementation will continue through the 2024/25 budget cycle. After the implementation phase, an evaluation and a community assessment will provide an opportunity to continue or refocus Commission work on specific Age Friendly Community Domains. Please refer to the following tables for the current status of implementing the project plan.
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Commission on Aging 2023 Informational Report
Date: August 17, 2023 Page 4
Life Enrichment Committee
September 12, 2023
Communications
Priorities
a. Create a centralized source of information for seniors b. Information distribution is available in accessible formats and languages
Strategies
a. Advocate elected officials to provide or program budgeted City funding b. Work with community partner(s) to build and market the data resource platform
Priority Project Plan
Project/Action Statement: Build a communication platform to provide information and other resources for Oakland seniors.
Progress
Critical Partners:
Necessary to move forward,
including project leads.
Eden I&R, Four City of Oakland operated Senior
Centers, Unity Council’s Fruitvale senior center,
Family Bridges Senior Center, St. Mary’s senior
center, SOS Meals on Wheels, Affordable Senior
Housing Partners, North Oakland Village, both
Vietnamese Community Centers and City of
Oakland Emergency Management.
moving
Next Steps:
List 3 tangible next steps to
accomplish this action
Meet with councilmembers to educate them
about the pilot program and secure their support
complete
Eden I&R to define data warehouse, hire staff,
and populate existing data (July-December 2023)
moving
Develop a plan and test the platform with a City
of Oakland senior center, Unity Council Senior
Center, and one other entity (Q1 2024)
How will you measure
success?
2-3 tangible
deliverables/outcomes for
evaluation and engaging
community partners.
Council or Sugar Sweeten Beverage Tax funds
the project, and City of Oakland systems
complete the contracting process.
moving
Seniors testing the platform in 2024 will respond
to a short survey such as “Was the information
you requested clear and helpful?” or something
similar.
Usage of the system during an emergency
impacting seniors.
What barriers is the project
experiencing or needs to
overcome?
• Funding: There is an active Council
Budget request for the 2023/24 cycle. If
this request is unsuccessful, Sugar
Sweeten Beverage Tax funds may be
used starting July 1, 2023.
• RFP Process: To avoid a lengthy
RFP/RFQ process, the Communication
Committee will use Government
Cooperative Bidding or Council Approval.
• Contracting: Contract compliance is
currently in a reorganization, so we do not
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Commission on Aging 2023 Informational Report
Date: August 17, 2023 Page 5
Life Enrichment Committee
September 12, 2023
Priority Project Plan
Project/Action Statement: Build a communication platform to provide information and other resources for Oakland seniors.
Progress
know, in the short run, if this will improve
or delay the contracting process.
Timeline:
What will you be able to
accomplish in the next 12
months?
The system will be running, and the Commission
will have initial end user data.
Health, Wellness, and Food Security
Priorities
a. Advocate for wrap around health services to support senior wellness to age in place. b. Create a resource tool for common senior maladies.
Strategies
a. Increase the number and scope of case management services available to Oakland Seniors and adults with access and functional needs.
b. Develop and distribute a resource guide for seniors to provide connections to providers and services.
Priority Project Plan
Project/Action Statement: Increase the number of Case Managers available to seniors, supported by resource guides at the senior centers and other community locations
Progress
Critical Partners:
Necessary to move forward,
including project leads.
Senior Centers, Oakland Human Resources
KTOP: Promotion of initiative so seniors know
about the availability of Case Management, as
well as others, such as My Senior Center, Eden
I&R, etc.
moving
Next Steps:
List 3 tangible next steps to
accomplish this action
Case managers are hired, trained to work in a
MediCal billing CM strategy, and subsequently
assigned to Oakland Senior Centers.
moving
Train Center Managers to understand wrap
around services. For example, including
disability and bi-lingual supports, as well as
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
orientation.
Change the effective use of the Senior Centers to
provide more navigational support change from
membership based to needs based activities and
resources for the senior population.
How will you measure
success?
Hire Case Managers complete
Complete training of Case Managers as well as
training internal stakeholder staff so there is a
moving
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Commission on Aging 2023 Informational Report
Date: August 17, 2023 Page 6
Life Enrichment Committee
September 12, 2023
Priority Project Plan
Project/Action Statement: Increase the number of Case Managers available to seniors, supported by resource guides at the senior centers and other community locations
Progress
2-3 tangible
deliverables/outcomes, for
evaluation and engaging
community partners.
shared internal language around senior mental
health and other relevant subjects.
Case Managers will have at least 25 active
cases.
What barriers is the project
experiencing, or needs to
overcome?
• Delays in the hiring due to Human
Resources gaps in staffing and internal
processes
• Community needs may exceed bandwidth
or capacity of staff capacity
• Oakland policy decisions around hiring
freezes and budget
Timeline:
What will you be able to
accomplish in the next 12
months?
Onboarding and training of Aging service staff
who directly provide Case Management or who
have a high level of direct contact with seniors,
such as Senior Center Directors. Case Managers
carry at least 25 active cases with a focus on
Mental Health support.
Priorities
a. Close food availability gaps for seniors throughout Oakland b. Improve Congregate Lunches (Meals) at Senior Centers
Strategies
a. Adequate and Consistent food security funding
b. Offer diverse, culturally appropriate meals for seniors
Priority Project Plan
Project/Action Statement: Increase the number and quality of nutritious food distributions offered to seniors.
Progress
Critical Partners:
Necessary to move forward,
including project leads.
Local meal providers, City of Oakland
Purchasing, Oakland Senior Centers. Assets and
Human Resources for staffing support.
Senior Center Advisory Council members and
Commission on Aging representatives must have
an opportunity to taste and approve the
vendor(s) for this project.
moving
Next Steps:
List 3 tangible next steps to
accomplish this action
Determine the preparation and delivery
methodology.
moving
Create a Council Resolution to approve of the
Scope and vendor choice.
moving
Provide senior meals for a one-year pilot
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Commission on Aging 2023 Informational Report
Date: August 17, 2023 Page 7
Life Enrichment Committee
September 12, 2023
Priority Project Plan
Project/Action Statement: Increase the number and quality of nutritious food distributions offered to seniors.
Progress
How will you measure
success?
2-3 tangible
deliverables/outcomes, for
evaluation and engaging
community partners.
The initial provider chosen based on Senior
Center Advisory taste and quality approval
Satisfaction survey
What barriers is the project
experiencing, or needs to
overcome?
• Contracting requirements
• Meal providers responding
• Cost of a sustainable meal program
• Consistent additional staffing dedicated to
the food program
Timeline:
What will you be able to
accomplish in the next 12
months?
Senior meal pilot will be available at a senior
center with supplemental staff provided through
Assets or volunteer staff (internal) and young
adults (18-25, external)
Housing
Priorities
a. Advocate with City leaders to produce affordable housing and equitable solutions to senior homelessness
b. Improve safety net programs for seniors that protect renters and preserve housing to prevent homelessness
Strategies
a. Advocacy and partnerships with City leadership and relevant Oakland Departments focused on housing, including participation in planning committees and public meetings b. Develop home repair resources for seniors to make accessibility and environmental health improvements
Priority Project Plan
Project/Action Statement: The City of Oakland will assist seniors in preserving their existing housing by identifying and addressing accessibility and environmental health issues in their homes.
Progress
Critical Partners:
Necessary to move forward,
including project leads.
Rebuild Together, City of Oakland Community
Housing Departments/Divisions, Oakland Senior
Centers
complete
Next Steps:
List 3 tangible next steps to
accomplish this action
Partner hires Occupational Therapist (through
existing grant secured by Rebuilding Together) to
accompany the roving Case Managers to
conduct environmental assessments.
complete
Employ two (2) Roving Case Managers stationed
at Oakland Senior Centers to provide resources,
referrals, and conduct needs assessments.
moving
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Commission on Aging 2023 Informational Report
Date: August 17, 2023 Page 8
Life Enrichment Committee
September 12, 2023
Priority Project Plan
Project/Action Statement: The City of Oakland will assist seniors in preserving their existing housing by identifying and addressing accessibility and environmental health issues in their homes.
Progress
Information and Referral staff located at each of
the senior centers will also provide support to
seniors at the center and help link them to a case
manager for more support.
Conduct Assessments to assess the support,
accessibility, and environmental amenities and
services older adults need to live safely and
independently in their home.
How will you measure
success?
2-3 tangible
deliverables/outcomes for
evaluation and engaging
community partners.
A combination of achieving the goals in the
Scope of Work with a survey of all participants to
capture their feedback and perspective on their
livability needs.
Advocate for changes and improvements in city
housing codes based on the identified patterns
and solutions from collected data.
What barriers is the project
experiencing or needs to
overcome?
• Funding limitations affect the ability to
serve a sizeable sample size of 100 older
adults over two (2) years to demonstrate
the effectiveness of the pilot.
• The pilot includes all housing types, and
property owners may not be receptive to
these assessments since they may
identify expensive fixes.
Timeline:
What will you be able to
accomplish in the next 12
months?
Assign staff to conduct assessments. At least 50
of the 100 clients were assessed and surveyed.
Completion of minor repairs. Large home repairs
documented and assessed for any common
patterns. Possible expansion or change in
delivery model based on client and collaborative
agency feedback.
Priorities
a. Assess & improve ability to connect people to housing and supportive services, focusing on housing stability
b. Improved systems navigation for seniors
Strategies
a. Create an assessment tool
b. Gather data from a diverse sampling of agencies and organizations
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Commission on Aging 2023 Informational Report
Date: August 17, 2023 Page 9
Life Enrichment Committee
September 12, 2023
Priority Project Plan
Project/Action Statement: Create a housing needs assessment on the housing opportunities, support, and resources that meet the needs of older adults in Oakland.
Progress
Critical Partners:
Necessary to move forward,
including project leads.
Rebuilding Together Oakland (existing housing),
Oakland Dept. of Aging, East Bay Housing Org,
Planning Dept., IHSS, East Oakland Collective
(unhoused), SAHA, CEI, St. Mary’s Center,
HumanGood, Everyone Home, Home Match,
Eden Housing, RCD, Habitat for Humanity, Office
of Homeless Care and Coordination / Housing
Services, Meals on Wheels, Spectrum, At Home
with Growing Old (located in Berkeley but also
works in Oakland), Housing Department, BOSS,
Empowered Aging, EBALDC, ECHO, Bridge,
Oakland Spur, Senior Services Coalition of
Alameda County
moving
Next Steps:
List 3 tangible next steps to
accomplish this action
Establish monthly Sub-committee Meetings to
start working on a 6-month research and data
collection project. (4th Tuesday of the month)
complete
This project will take a non-traditional approach.
It will include data and research collection.
However, for us to learn how to implement
impactful changes, we need to hear directly from
our older adults. There will be focus groups with
older adults from various communities across
Oakland.
moving
Curate a list of agencies and organizations
focused on homeless prevention and various
housing types (board & care, affordable housing,
assisted living, shared housing, homeless
prevention & support).
How will you measure
success?
2-3 tangible
deliverables/outcomes for
evaluation and engaging
community partners.
Information gathered from partners/stakeholders
and Housing Department and data contributing
agencies/organizations
moving
Qualitative feedback from older adults
participating in any focus groups as we gather
information to learn more about their housing
status and needs.
What barriers is the project
experiencing, or needs to
overcome?
• Gaps in data
• Unidentified agencies/organizations
• Agencies and organizations that we do
not have access to for data (for profit,
government, non-profit)
• Staff capacity and time
Timeline: Sub-committee will be able to complete their research and data collection. Focus groups will
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Commission on Aging 2023 Informational Report
Date: August 17, 2023 Page 10
Life Enrichment Committee
September 12, 2023
Priority Project Plan
Project/Action Statement: Create a housing needs assessment on the housing opportunities, support, and resources that meet the needs of older adults in Oakland.
Progress
What will you be able to
accomplish in the next 12
months?
take place with the selected groups, and the draft
report will be complete.
Open Spaces
Priorities
a. Increase outdoor access for seniors and their families by addressing design, safety, and transportation
b. Collaborate with other City Departments to create more senior-friendly outdoor features
Strategies
a. Engage in community input for outdoor space renovations to advocate for senior-friendly design
b. Produce: create accessible open space activities designed to facilitate participation among seniors and persons with disabilities
Priority Project Plan
Project/Action Statement: Create a multi-generational playground design, identify funding, and finalize the location.
Progress
Critical Partners:
Necessary to move forward,
including project leads.
Councilmember Carrol Fife, Miracle Playgrounds,
AC Transportation Urban and Regional Planning,
City of Oakland Capital Improvement Project
Coordinator, East Oakland Neighborhood
Collaborative, Children’s Fairyland, North
Oakland/Ashby Village, Downtown Oakland
Senior Center, St. Paul’s Towers, St. Paul’s
School, Oakland Parks & Rec Advisory
Commission and Foundation, East Bay Regional
Parks District, Local Oakland Schools w/out
playgrounds, Oakland Public Works, Oakland
City Administrator, Oakland Bicycle & Pedestrian
Advisory Commission, AC Transportation
Commission, CalTrans, Friends of Sausal Creek,
Kaiser, Downtown Oakland Rotary Club, Clorox
Grants: CalFire
moving
Next Steps:
List 3 tangible next steps to
accomplish this action
Identify a full slate of critical stakeholders to
decide on the location
moving
Raise funds sufficient for the Scope of Work to
build a Senior friendly playground
stalled
Prioritize the project with City of Oakland
How will you measure
success?
A vetted list of key community stakeholders,
funding prospects, and location
Finalize fundraising and collateral material needs
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Commission on Aging 2023 Informational Report
Date: August 17, 2023 Page 11
Life Enrichment Committee
September 12, 2023
Priority Project Plan
Project/Action Statement: Create a multi-generational playground design, identify funding, and finalize the location.
Progress
2-3 tangible
deliverables/outcomes for
evaluation and engaging
community partners.
Project Management: outline of tasks and
schedule with milestones
What barriers is the project
experiencing, or needs to
overcome?
• No finalized location.
• The Director of Parks and Recreation and
Human Services positions are not
permanent.
• Coordination and workload issues caused
by Department merger.
Timeline:
What will you be able to
accomplish in the next 12
months?
Develop a detailed process and project timeline
Strategize, Prepare and Engage in a
comprehensive Fundraising Campaign
The Commission recognizes this as a multi-year
project extending beyond the next 12 months.
FISCAL IMPACT
This item is for informational purposes only and does not have any fiscal impact.
PUBLIC OUTREACH / INTEREST
The current Domain work was determined by a community input effort by the Commission in 2019. Community engagement will launch in 2024 for the next cycle of Age Friendly Domains.
COORDINATION
Senior and Aging Division staff coordinated with the Chair of Oakland Commission On Aging in the preparation of this report.
SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES
Economic: Investing in initiatives that support seniors aging in place benefits the local tax base.
Seniors pay taxes but use far less locally funded services than families.
Environmental: The Communication and Housing Domains address access and functional needs equity issues around climate change.
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Commission on Aging 2023 Informational Report
Date: August 17, 2023 Page 12
Life Enrichment Committee
September 12, 2023
Race & Equity: Age Friendly Cities is an equity model that will implement the principles of the City of Oakland Department of Race and Equity during the next Domain process that will begin in 2024.
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Staff Recommends That The City Council Receive The Oakland Commission On Aging Annual Report For 2023.
For questions regarding this report, please contact Hakeim McGee, Acting Aging and Adult Senior Services Manager, at (510) 238-2311.
Respectfully submitted,
SCOTT MEANS
Interim Director, Human Services
Prepared by:
Hakeim McGee, Acting Aging and Adult Senior
Services Manager