Top Findings and Priority Areas

What Older Berkeley Residents Like Best and Least in Berkeley

The ‘word clouds’ below display words that were used to answer an open-response question on the Age-Friendly Berkeley Community Survey. People responded to what they like best and least about Berkeley as a place to age. The more common the response, the larger the font. Transit is highlighted in both positive and negative comments which is most likely linked to where people live, with people in the Berkeley Hills being most concerned about transit.

Reasons for Positive Views of Berkeley as a Place to Age

Screen Shot 2019-03-20 at 6.20.19 PM.png

Reasons for Negative Views of Berkeley as a Place to Age

Screen Shot 2019-03-20 at 6.21.57 PM.png

Findings and Priority Areas

There are many programs and services in Berkeley that support an active and healthy community for people of all ages. The recommendations from this Action Plan are designed to build on what is already occurring, improve impact, and address gaps. Given the rapidly changing landscape and the pace of developing technology, we see this action plan as a living document, open to enhancement.

Several themes cut across the plan’s recommendations and actions. These include the need to:

Create complete neighborhoods that have a mix of housing types and land uses, affordable housing and transportation options, and access to healthy foods, schools, retail, employment, community services, parks and recreation options
Foster ongoing collaborations within large organizations, such as municipal entities, and across sectors and community organizations, as these are key to implementing policy and programs leverage existing resources to support, expand and coordinate a system of services and supports for aging in community
Capture emergent opportunities and leverage innovations in both technology and care/service delivery to support community-based living
Strengthen intergenerational relationships because while programs abound, they are mostly age-specific
Work with other regional jurisdictions and Age-Friendly cities to address overlapping issues and services and to find solutions to common challenges.

After reviewing community responses and promising local efforts already underway, this Action Plan identified four priority areas:

Recommendations

Housing and Economic Security

Develop a continuum of affordable, accessible housing options for older adults to age in their community regardless of their health or financial status.

Transportation and Mobility

Advance a network of public and private transportation that equitably serves residents and connects them to services, social activities, and employment opportunities.

Health and Wellness

Develop a more integrated system of services and supports that is person-centered and ensures that all residents have the opportunity to engage in health promoting activities.

Social Participation and Civic Engagement

Enhance neighborhood cohesion and social connectedness of all Berkeley residents with community events and activities that are inclusive, affordable, and accessible.

Within each of these 4 areas, recommendations fell into 3 categories:

Equity and Inclusion
Information
Infrastructure and Policy

These priority areas and recommendations are summarized in each page along with local programs and policies already in development. Detailed information for all 8 domains can be found in Age-Friendly Domains.