MEETING S.D. SENIORS’ NEEDS
As boomers retire, nonprofit recommends building 22 new senior centers and renovating five existing ones
Staying active and being part of a community are vital for seniors to maintain physical and mental health, and advocates say one of the best ways for older adults to maintain their independence is by being connected to a local senior center.
In its inaugural study and master plan for the region, the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation is proposing ways the region’s senior centers can be improved. With the continuing retirements of aging baby boomers, the need for senior support services will rise significantly over the next decade.
By 2035, the San Diego Association of Governments estimates, there will be nearly 1 million people age 60 or older living in the county, up from 626,683 people in 2020.
The nonprofit proposes building 22 new facilities and renovating five existing senior centers, which altogether would cost about $150 million.
“Every senior should have somebody they can turn to and trust, and we believe senior centers are the key, local neighborhood places that they can trust,” said Bob Kelly, SDSCF founder and former CEO.
Senior centers were first created in New York City during World War II as places for older adults to socialize and access social service and health care resources to improve their long-term health outcomes, according to research from Middle Tennessee State University.
In 1965, Congress passed the Older Americans Act to build a better community support system for the country’s seniors, according to the Administration for Community Living. That act, which was reauthorized most recently in 2020, supports aging services such as senior centers on the state, local and tribal level.
Today’s senior centers aim to target the needs of older adults and contribute to their well-being from different angles. During meals, seniors receive nutritious food while socializing with their peers; educational and arts programs help improve seniors’ cognitive skills; and exercise classes help them stay fit and maintain their balance, both of which are critical for fall prevention.
Older adults connected to senior centers are shown to benefit in myriad ways. The National Council on Aging reports that participants
A total of 24 new full-time positions could start July 1 if the final budget is approved next month. About 70 percent of those are police, fire and lifeguard positions, and the others would work in utilities, housing, and data and technology positions.
Former Carlsbad Councilmember Mark Packard, who chose not to seek a fifth term in 2018, attended the meeting to ask the city to budget more money for efforts to trench the downtown railroad tracks, a project he pursued while in office. Carlsbad has been working with the North County Transit District and the San Diego Association of Governments on the idea, which would improve safety, reduce noise and increase property values along the tracks in the Village and Barrio neighborhoods.
Norby, whose council district includes the Village and Barrio, suggested that the council set aside $3 million from the budget reserves to cover the city’s share of costs for additional studies needed to advance the trench project. Most of the money for construction, which could cost more than $400 million, would be available from state and federal grants once the preliminary work is finished.
However, Norby’s motion failed on a 2-2 vote, with Councilmembers Priya Bhat-Patel and Teresa Acosta opposed. Hall abstained because he owns property near the tracks.
The council agreed to add one change to the budget by restoring the Police Department’s GUIDE program, which provides counseling to at-risk students in elementary and middle schools. The acronym stands for Greater Understanding through Intervention, Diversification and Education. The program will add $130,000 to the annual budget.