Housing
Existing homes no longer meet the needs of residents or the community. Look for opportunities to streamline costs of retrofitting homes so older adults can stay in their homes safely and comfortably.
Residential facilities have availability but are not affordable. Research cost factors of living in residential facilities.
Employment
Address ageism in the workplace. Foster intergenerational communication and teams.
Recognize that older adults need to work to afford to live in San Rafael. Expand viable job opportunities with flexible work schedules, including part time.
Engage in workforce development. Connect with government and non-profit agencies working in the area of employment.
Civic Participation
Older adults may not know that their participation is welcomed in civic organizations. Build on local repository of civic leaders and opportunities for civic engagement.
How does the next generation see civic participation? Explore what civic engagement looks like to the next generation(s).
Expand the existing partnership with the San Rafael library. Advocate for the representation of San Rafael older adults in the program planning process.
Communication
Expand communication specific to the needs of older adults to improve engagement. Communications should be sensitive of different needs, including access to and comfort with technology, language barriers and visual or hearing impairments.
Research ways to expand access to broadband. Build on existing communication channels with government and non-profit partners.
Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
Expand opportunities for older adults to safely participate in outdoor community life. Expand partnership between the San Rafael Department of Public Works & neighborhood associations to support efforts to repair or replace aging infrastructure.
Address perception of safety issues around people experiencing homelessness in our community. Promote partnership with public safety personnel and the downtown business community to address perceptions around safety.
Develop and support intergenerational programming at the City’s community centers and libraries. Encourage and support community center staff to promote best practices and planning around intergenerational and multicultural programming.
Community Preparedness
Vulnerable older adults in San Rafael face barriers and challenges regarding emergency preparedness. Partner with San Rafael Fire/EMS to produce and distribute emergency preparation materials in English and Spanish that reflect the needs of older adults and the disabled community.
Respect and Social Inclusion
Older adults are neglected and depreciated in many settings, causing serious effects on physical, mental, and social well-being. Educate the community about the serious effects on the physical, mental, and social well-being of older adults that result from neglect and lack of appreciation.
Recognize that aging exists, develop expertise and understanding of aging, and reframe perceptions about growing older in San Rafael. Educate community members on facts and myths about aging and develop the most effective communication strategies.
