CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA CITY COUNCIL AGENDA Agenda Date: April 19, 2021 Action Required: Report Presenter: Marta Keane, CEO, JABA Chair, Charlottesville Area Alliance Staff Contacts: Kaki Dimock, Director of Human Services Title: Charlottesville Area Alliance 2021-2026 Action Plan & 2020 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 Kaki Dimock, Misty Graves, and Shayla Givens, have participated in Alliance activities and committees. Indeed, City Manager Chip Boyles was an integral member of the Alliance in his previous role as chair. Discussion: The Charlottesville Area Alliance presents its 2020 Annual Report and the 2021-2026 A.A.R.P. Age Friendly Action Plan. This 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. 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. 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 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.