CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA CITY COUNCIL AGENDA Agenda Date: January 18, 2022 Action Required: Report Presenter: Marta Keane, CEO, JABA Chair, Charlottesville Area Alliance Staff Contacts: Misty Graves, Interim Director of Human Services Title: Charlottesville Area Alliance Overview and Preview of the 2021 Annual Report Background: The Charlottesville Area Alliance is a regional organization whose primary purpose is to provide leadership and development for an age-friendly community through education, advocacy, engagement, planning and evaluations. Partnering member organizations create an age-friendly community by developing a common understanding of the needs and issues, developing policy recommendations, and joining together to encourage the implementation by government, nonprofit organizations, the general public and businesses. City Council signed a resolution supporting the Charlottesville Area Alliance and its goals of an age friendly community on March 16, 2017 as well as the city’s registration with the A.A.R.P. Livable Community Initiative. The World Health Organization and A.A.R.P. identify eight primary domains constituting a livable, age friendly community including: buildings and outdoor spaces, transportation, housing, social, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, and community support and health services. City staff, including Sue Moffett from the Department of Social Services, and Misty Graves from the Department of Human Services, participate in Alliance activities and committees. Discussion: In April 2021, the Charlottesville Area Alliance presented an overview of the 2020 Annual Report and the 2021-2026 A.A.R.P. Age Friendly Action Plan. For new Council members, the Alliance will provide an overview and updates on progress that will be reflected in the upcoming 2021 Annual Report. The Action plan is the result of a thorough review of the M.A.P.P.2Health Community Health Assessment and Health Improvement Plan data, a survey of constituents in the region, and a series of focus groups. Based on this analysis, the Alliance reports that community members over the age of 50 generally have sufficient food, are socially engaged, and enjoy their quality of life. Survey results also point to a lack of affordable housing for seniors in this region and that people over 50 years old do not feel socially included in community. The Alliance has identified steps to take to improve this region’s livability in the attached action plan. Recently Charlottesville (and Albemarle) were selected as the Key City for Virginia for the National AARP Livable Community project. Alignment with City Council’s Vision and Strategic Plan: The goals of the Charlottesville Area Alliance are aligned with City Council Strategic Plan Goal #2: A healthy and safe city. Community Engagement: The Charlottesville Area Alliance is working to create a diverse and representative coalition representing the broad needs of the community and identify ways to engage community members in data collection and feedback. This action report was created after engaging community members over 50 through survey administration and focus groups. The Charlottesville Area Alliance has bi- monthly Partnership meetings that include 44 partner organizations and representatives. Budgetary Impact: This item has no budgetary impact. Recommendation: N/A Alternatives: N/A Attachments: Charlottesville Area Alliance 2020 Annual Report and 2021-2026 A.A.R.P. Livable Community Action Plan World Health Organization Age Friendly Checklist Charlottesville Area Alliance A G E - F R I E N D LY A C T I O N P L A N 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 6 / 2 0 2 0 A N N U A L R E P O R T Chair’s Welcome M A R TA M . K E A N E , J A B A C E O Welcome to the Charlotteville Area Alliance’s (CAA) first AARP The CAA Steering Committee decided to incorporate the Age Friendly Action Plan for 2021-2026 and Annual Report of Annual CAA Report for 2020 into the 2021-2026 Age Friendly 2020 CAA Activities. This first plan follows age-friendly Action Plan to provide the full breadth of the past, present and elements to create a livable regional community. It has been future work of the CAA. Having to continue the momentum nearly six years of volunteer effort: first organizing our through 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic proved very community partners, identifying challenging as Partners continued working on initial work activities, then CAA initiatives while their own agency’s workload “Winning communities in the future will developing, distributing, collecting, increased to meet the challenges of the be the ones that invest in creating great and analyzing regional aging needs. pandemic. Many activities were limited due to places to live, work, learn, and play at The effort has culminated in an every age. The Charlottesville Area this and due to the inability to fully interact with action plan to guide our work over Alliance is the right idea at the right area seniors. the next five years toward a more time.” - Matt Thornhill, Founder & age-friendly community. President, Boomer Project & We already have so many community assets Generations Matter working for us, and with your commitment and Many agencies and individuals prioritization, we can grow these assets and contributed to this work, and a overcome the challenges to improve the quality special thank you goes to the original Gang of 5 who had the of life for residents and visitors of all ages. foresight to initiate the discussion and establish a vision to invite the necessary partners together to begin this effort, not I look forward to working with you on this journey. just for one organization or for one community, but for the entire region. Residents of all ages will see the benefits of Marta M. Keane what we have begun. CAA Chair CONTENTS 3 Community Profile…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4 Past & Present…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6 8 Life Indicators………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7 Team Approach……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8 Officers & Partners…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9 AARP Action Plan 2021 - 2026……………………………………………………………………………………………. 10 • Background………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 11 • Key Highlights…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13 • Key Findings………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14 • Areas of Focus…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16 Indexes………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17 Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 26 COMMUNITY PROFILE 4 The Charlottesville Area Alliance serves the localities in (Virginia) Planning District 10, which include the City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson. The region is defined as the Charlottesville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) for statistical purposes (the MSA does not include Louisa County). The region’s economy and population continue to flourish and grow. According to updated estimates of the 2010 U.S. Census, the area has a population of 249,000. The diverse economy of the region provides a variety of employment opportunities in Planning District 10, which include the City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle, education, biomedical/health services, business and financial services, arts and per capita personal income was drive alone to work and only 3% travel hospitality, information technology and $42,734 and the median family income by public transit. Of the 100,000 telecommunications. With a 2019 was $75,907. The cost-of-living is 4.5% housing units, the median value of civilian labor force of about 122,912, above the national average. owner-occupied housing units is the Charlottesville MSA provides $317,700, 30% higher than the US companies with a large labor pool and The median age for the MSA is 38.9 median (US 2019 – 1-year Census data). over 36,000 students enter the years old with University of Virginia By 2030, it is expected that 25% of the workforce each year. The students contributing to that low population will be 60 and older. People unemployment rate has remained median. Thirty-eight percent of the choose to age in place here, and lower than the state average and was at population is 50 years old or older. retirees find this a comfortable 3.2% in November, 2020. In 2019 the Sevety-two percent of the population community to move to. Of those 60 COMMUNITY PROFILE 5 and over, 20% live alone, and 11% live at 100% poverty level ($11,000 /year/ single person). All of the region’s public schools are accredited under Virginia state standards with low student-teacher ratios among more than 50 elementary and secondary schools. The larger area also has a variety of higher education institutions such as the University of Virginia, Piedmont Virginia Community College and a number of other institutions of higher education providing a diverse range of degree programs and continuing education opportunities for the area’s citizens. The Charlottesville MSA offers a variety of retail shopping options, as well as a rich assortment of cultural and entertainment activities. Many civic and social organizations help foster the area’s reputation for sophistication in the arts. The Charlottesville MSA’s location on the eastern edge of the panoramic Blue Ridge Mountains encourages residents to take advantage of outdoor recreational pursuits such as camping, picnicking, and hiking. Fishing is also a popular activity as many of the mountain streams and lakes are well stocked with trout. Numerous local recreational facilities are available throughout the region. Golf courses, swimming, tennis, horseback riding, hiking, cycling, and canoeing provide opportunities for recreation for the entire family. In addition, the region has many historic attractions. Festivals and special events are held year-round across the region. FROM THE BEGINNING UNTIL THE PRESENT 6 The idea of the CAA began in 2014 • Increase in the incidence of dementia to collectively improve the quality of life after a group of leaders identified the in an aging population. for residents of all ages in the region. growing population within our region of persons 65 years and older from • Opportunities to utilize seniors in This group made the decision to use 24,488 in 2000 to over 32,000 in 2010 educational, recreational, workforce the World Health Organization’s 8 Life and projected growth rates to 57,000 community needs. Indicators for an age-friendly by the year 2030. Currently, 9% of the community to measure the population in Charlottesville and 16% • Wisdom and experience brought to performance and impact of the CAA’s of the population in Albemarle County the community as a whole and efforts in the community. Partners in the are over the age of 60. With the large individuals they meet. CAA are asked to adopt the inclusion number of baby boomers reaching 60, of the 8 life indicators in the decision- there will be a marked shift in this In review of these growth rates and making process of their planning and population, as people continue to age projections, a group of eight leaders service delivery. in place and to retire here. The from Alzheimer’s Association, Cville increasing the number of seniors brings Village, Hospice of the Piedmont, JABA, benefits and challenges to the JAUNT, OLLI, The Center, and community: Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge began work on creating an • People living many more years after organization to plan for the retirement, which results in reducing comprehensive needs and their resources. opportunities of an aging population. Charlottesville and Albemarle County • The lack of extended families due to have signed the charter with AARP, smaller size of families, geographic making the commitment to developing distance, and /or estrangement, an age-friendly community. Fluvannna which results in lack of support and County has also made the commitment caregiving systems. to CAA. Partners of the CAA work closely with staff and elected officials in planning and implementing measures 8 L I F E I N D I C AT O R S 7 • Buildings & Outdoor Spaces: The outside environment and public buildings have a major impact on independence and happiness later in life. • Transportation: Whether using public transportation services or alternative options, transportation is a key issue for older adults. • Housing: Housing and support allow people in later life to age comfortably and safely within their own community and financial • Civic Participation & Employment: • Community Support & Health means. An age friendly community Services: Community support and • Social: Social participation is provides options for all people in interaction is strongly connected strongly connected to good later life to contribute back to it. to good health and wellbeing physical and mental health and throughout life, alongside • Communication & Information: accessible and affordable well-being throughout life. Staying connected with events and healthcare services. • Respect & Social Inclusion: Feeling people and getting timely, valued and respected is important practical information to manage for older people from all life and meet personal needs is backgrounds. vital for active living. TEAM APPROACH 8 Working Groups The CAA operates through volunteers from Partner agencies as well as community citizens and businesses. Work is completed under the leadership of a Steering Committee, and through a number of Work Groups where all partners participate. WORK GROUPS to organize the operations of the Alliance: • Executive Committee and Administration • Advocacy & Education • Assessment & Monitoring & Planning • Engagement An annual work plan is developed by current work groups with goals and work strategies for the coming calendar year. O F F I C E R S & PA R T N E R S 9 Current CAA Officers 2021 Chair: Marta Keane, JABA Vice Chair: George Worthington, Dementia Friendly Central Virginia Secratary: Mary Honeycutt, JAUNT Current CAA Partners 2021 Albemarle County – Alzheimer’s Association (Central and Western Virginia Chapter) – Albemarle Housing Improvement Program (AHIP) – The Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS® (CAAR) – Care is There– the Center (formerly the Senior Center) - City of Charlottesville – Cville Village – Dementia Friendly Central Virginia - EcoVillage Charlottesville – Fluvanna County – Here to Stay Wintergreen – Home Instead – iTHRIVE -Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia - JAUNT – JABA – Legal Aid Justice Center – Lindsay Institute for Innovations in Caregiving - Martha Jefferson House – Meals on Wheels (Charlottesville) – The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Virginia (OLLI) – Piedmont Housing Alliance (PHA) – Region Ten – Senior Statesmen of Virginia – Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital – The Blue Ridge Health District (Virginia Department of Health) – The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) – United Way—Thomas Jefferson Area – University of Virginia Health System –VisitAble – Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge AARP Action Plan 2021 - 2026 CHARLOTTESVILLE AREA ALLIANCE 10 An age-friendly community is defined as one that “enables people of all ages to actively participate in community activities and treats everyone with respect, regardless of their age. It is a place that makes it easy for older people to stay connected to people that are important to them” (World Health Organization). The CAAʼs primary purpose is to provide leadership for, and development of, an age-friendly community through educating, advocating, engagement, planning, and evaluation. This is accomplished by developing a common understanding of the needs and issues, developing policy recommendations, and joining together to encourage implementation by government, non-profit organizations, the general public and businesses. CAA determined early on that a national model would be the best approach to achieve age-friendly goals within our community. The CAA adopted the World Health Organization’s model, with the sponsor in the United States being AARP’s Livable Communities Network of Age Friendly Communities program. People of all ages benefit from the adoption of policies and programs that make neighborhoods walkable, feature transportation options, enable access to key services, provide opportunities to participate in community activities, and support housing that’s affordable and adaptable. Well-designed, age-friendly communities foster economic growth and make for happier, healthier residents of all ages. AARP ACTION PLAN 2021-2026 11 AARP recommends a community assessment and development of an action plan for members of its age-friendly network. An action plan was created based on the results of the community surveys identifying needs within the 8 Domains of Livability that influence the health and quality of life of older adults. The action plan is an "active" rather than static document. Revisions and amendments are a sign of program improvement and progress, not of failure. Depending on what's in the plan, organizers will determine how to track its progress toward meeting its goals and objectives. If it isn't succeeding, the plan is amended. Background Beginning in 2018, the partners and stakeholders of CAA worked to develop a common understanding of the needs, issues and opportunities of an aging population in our region. They engaged the community and collected data with the goal of making policy recommendations to local governments and service providers. The CAA used a three-pronged assessment approach of community members ages 50 and over. CAA members collected 322 surveys and conducted four focus groups in the City of Charlottesville and Counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa and and Nelson. Demographics of those surveyed are below. A study overview is provided in the appendix. AARP ACTION PLAN 2021-2026 12 CAA's review of their focus group interviews and a thorough review of the MAPP2Health Community Health Assessment and Improvement Planning report produced by the Thomas Jefferson Health District resulted in the following two recommendations. 1. Review discrepancies between the Thomas Jefferson Health District (TJHD) Community Health Survey and the Charlottesville Area Alliance’s Age-Friendly Community Survey. The former primarily assessed how community members respond to resources, while the latter primarily assessed how seniors perceive access to resources. 2. Present key fi ndings from the MAPP2Health Community Health Assessment in a comprehensive, easily readable report (CAA Action Plan in AARP format) that includes action items for follow up by City and County representatives. AARP ACTION PLAN 2021-2026 13 Key Highlights Key highlights of the results indicate that seniors age 50 and over in our community are: • Generally food secure • Socially engaged • Rate the community as good place to age • Enjoy their quality of life Alternatively, findings show that some seniors: • Do not feel socially included in their community • Believe that there is not enough affordable housing in the area, leading to higher rates of stress about paying rents, mortgages and living expenses AARP ACTION PLAN 2021-2026 14 Key Findings Key findings were identified by the 8 WHO Life Elements. Upon review and approval by the CAA Steering Committee, three Priority Action Areas were identified: A. Transportation B. Housing C. Combined domains of Social Participation and access to Health Services Remaining recommended findings would be placed in a secondary priority level to be addressed as resources and time become available for the CAA. AARP ACTION PLAN 2021-2026 15 AARP ACTION PLAN 2021-2026 16 Areas of Focus With a vision of the greater Charlottesville area becoming the most age friendly community in the country, CAA has accepted the mission of leading the advancement of this initiative. The CAA Leadership Team selected three areas to focus their initial efforts on: Transportation, Housing and Social Participation. Social Participation includes health care and social interaction as measures for this area of focus. CAA will work with the communities to achieve theese goals by 2026. AARP ACTION PLAN 2021-2026 17 AARP ACTION PLAN 2021-2026 18 AARP ACTION PLAN 2021-2026 19 AARP ACTION PLAN 2021-2026 20 AARP ACTION PLAN 2021-2026 21 AARP ACTION PLAN 2021-2026 22 AARP ACTION PLAN 2021-2026 23 AARP ACTION PLAN 2021-2026 24 AARP ACTION PLAN 2021-2026 25 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 26 The Charlottesville Area Alliance would like to thank the community members of the entire planning district for entrusting their health and well-being with us. We would like to thank the CAA steering committee, the partner organizations who dedicated valuable staff time and resources to making this happen, and the community leaders who shared this vision. Much thanks to Peter Thompson for serving as the founding Chair, and providing the impetus and guidance to get the Alliance off the ground, and to Chip Boyles for serving as the next Chair during the period of assessment and analysis and setting the action plan goals. They have both laid the foundation for the 5 year plan that we have today. Checklist of Essential Features of Age-friendly Cities This checklist of essential age-friendly city features is based on the results of the WHO Global Age-Friendly Cities project consultation in 33 cities in 22 countries. The checklist is a tool for a city’s self-assessment and a map for charting progress. More detailed checklists of age-friendly city features are to be found in the WHO Global Age-Friendly Cities Guide. This checklist is intended to be used by individuals and groups interested in making their city more age-friendly. For the checklist to be effective, older people must be involved as full partners. In assessing a city’s strengths and deficiencies, older people will describe how the checklist of features matches their own experience of the city’s positive characteristics and barriers. They should play a role in suggesting changes and in implementing and monitoring improvements. Outdoor spaces and buildings ☐ Services are situated together and are accessible. ☐ Public areas are clean and pleasant. ☐ Special customer service arrangements ☐ Green spaces and outdoor seating are are provided, such as separate queues or sufficient in number, well-maintained service counters for older people. and safe. ☐ Buildings are well-signed outside and ☐ Pavements are well-maintained, free of inside, with sufficient seating and toilets, obstructions and reserved for pedestrians. accessible elevators, ramps, railings and ☐ Pavements are non-slip, are wide enough stairs, and non-slip floors. for wheelchairs and have dropped curbs to ☐ Public toilets outdoors and indoors are road level. sufficient in number, clean, well-main- ☐ Pedestrian crossings are sufficient in tained and accessible. number and safe for people with different levels and types of disability, with non- Transportation slip markings, visual and audio cues and adequate crossing times. ☐ Public transportation costs are consistent, clearly displayed and affordable. ☐ Drivers give way to pedestrians at intersec- tions and pedestrian crossings. ☐ Public transportation is reliable and fre- quent, including at night and on weekends ☐ Cycle paths are separate from pavements and holidays. and other pedestrian walkways. ☐ All city areas and services are accessible by ☐ Outdoor safety is promoted by good street public transport, with good connections lighting, police patrols and community and well-marked routes and vehicles. education. PAGE 1 ☐ Vehicles are clean, well-maintained, acces- Housing sible, not overcrowded and have priority ☐ Sufficient, affordable housing is available seating that is respected. in areas that are safe and close to services ☐ Specialized transportation is available for and the rest of the community. disabled people. ☐ Sufficient and affordable home mainte- ☐ Drivers stop at designated stops and beside nance and support services are available. the curb to facilitate boarding and wait for ☐ Housing is well-constructed and provides passengers to be seated before driving off. safe and comfortable shelter from the ☐ Transport stops and stations are conve- weather. niently located, accessible, safe, clean, well- ☐ Interior spaces and level surfaces allow lit and well-marked, with adequate seating freedom of movement in all rooms and and shelter. passageways. ☐ Complete and accessible information is ☐ Home modification options and supplies provided to users about routes, schedules are available and affordable, and providers and special needs facilities. understand the needs of older people. ☐ A voluntary transport service is available ☐ Public and commercial rental housing is where public transportation is too limited. clean, well-maintained and safe. ☐ Taxis are accessible and affordable, and ☐ Sufficient and affordable housing for frail drivers are courteous and helpful. and disabled older people, with appropri- ☐ Roads are well-maintained, with covered ate services, is provided locally. drains and good lighting. Social participation ☐ Traffic flow is well-regulated. ☐ Venues for events and activities are con- ☐ Roadways are free of obstructions that veniently located, accessible, well-lit and block drivers’ vision. easily reached by public transport. ☐ ☐ Events are held at times convenient for Traffic signs and intersections are visible and well-placed. older people. ☐ ☐ Activities and events can be attended Driver education and refresher courses are promoted for all drivers. alone or with a companion. ☐ ☐ Activities and attractions are affordable, Parking and drop-off areas are safe, suffi- cient in number and conveniently located. with no hidden or additional participa- tion costs. ☐ Priority parking and drop-off spots for people with special needs are available and respected. PAGE 2 ☐ Good information about activities and ☐ Older people are recognized by the com- events is provided, including details about munity for their past as well as their pres- accessibility of facilities and transportation ent contributions. options for older people. ☐ Older people who are less well-off have ☐ A wide variety of activities is offered to good access to public, voluntary and pri- appeal to a diverse population of older vate services. people. Civic participation and employment ☐ Gatherings including older people are held ☐ A range of flexible options for older vol- in various local community spots, such as unteers is available, with training, recog- recreation centres, schools, libraries, com- nition, guidance and compensation for munity centres and parks. personal costs. ☐ There is consistent outreach to include ☐ The qualities of older employees are well- people at risk of social isolation. promoted. Respect and social inclusion ☐ A range of flexible and appropriately paid ☐ Older people are regularly consulted by opportunities for older people to work is public, voluntary and commercial services promoted. on how to serve them better. ☐ Discrimination on the basis of age alone is ☐ Services and products to suit varying forbidden in the hiring, retention, promo- needs and preferences are provided by tion and training of employees. public and commercial services. ☐ Workplaces are adapted to meet the needs ☐ Service staff are courteous and helpful. of disabled people. ☐ Older people are visible in the media, and ☐ Self-employment options for older people are depicted positively and without stereo- are promoted and supported. typing. ☐ Training in post-retirement options is ☐ Community-wide settings, activities and provided for older workers. events attract all generations by accommo- ☐ Decision-making bodies in public, pri- dating age-specific needs and preferences. vate and voluntary sectors encourage and ☐ Older people are specifically included in facilitate membership of older people. community activities for “families”. Communication and information ☐ Schools provide opportunities to learn ☐ A basic, effective communication system about ageing and older people, and involve reaches community residents of all ages. older people in school activities. ☐ Regular and widespread distribution of information is assured and a coordinated, centralized access is provided. PAGE 3 ☐ Regular information and broadcasts of Community and health services interest to older people are offered. ☐ An adequate range of health and commu- ☐ Oral communication accessible to older nity support services is offered for promot- people is promoted. ing, maintaining and restoring health. ☐ People at risk of social isolation get one-to- ☐ Home care services include health and one information from trusted individuals. personal care and housekeeping. ☐ Public and commercial services provide ☐ Health and social services are convenient- friendly, person-to-person service on ly located and accessible by all means of request. transport. ☐ Printed information – including official ☐ Residential care facilities and designated forms, television captions and text on vi- older people’s housing are located close to sual displays – has large lettering and the services and the rest of the community. main ideas are shown by clear headings ☐ Health and community service facilities and bold-face type. are safely constructed and fully accessible. ☐ Print and spoken communication uses ☐ Clear and accessible information is pro- simple, familiar words in short, straight- vided about health and social services for forward sentences. older people. ☐ Telephone answering services give in- ☐ Delivery of services is coordinated and structions slowly and clearly and tell call- administratively simple. ers how to repeat the message at any time. ☐ All staff are respectful, helpful and trained ☐ Electronic equipment, such as mobile to serve older people. telephones, radios, televisions, and bank and ticket machines, has large buttons and ☐ Economic barriers impeding access to big lettering. health and community support services are minimized. ☐ There is wide public access to computers and the Internet, at no or minimal charge, ☐ Voluntary services by people of all ages are in public places such as government of- encouraged and supported. fices, community centres and libraries. ☐ There are sufficient and accessible burial sites. ☐ Community emergency planning takes into account the vulnerabilities and ca- pacities of older people. WHO/FCH/ALC/2007.1 © World Health Organization 2007. All rights reserved. PAGE 4