REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Santa Clara Senior Needs Assessment Final Report
Report
BACKGROUND
On October 25, 2016, Council adopted a resolution authorizing the City to participate in the World Health Organization’s Age-Friendly City Global Network. Santa Clara is committed to being an age-friendly community that promotes the health and wellbeing of residents of all ages. In May 2017, the City of Santa Clara initiated a Senior Needs Assessment (Assessment) to better understand how to align Santa Clara’s existing services and efforts to become more age-friendly with the current needs of older adults. Working with senior serving agencies, the Parks & Recreation Department In collaboration with the Senior Advisory Commission developed and conducted the Assessment to provide Council with information about Santa Clara’s senior residents in relation to the following: Economics and Employment; Community; Housing; Outdoor Spaces and Buildings; Transportation and Streets; Health, Wellness, and Nutrition; Social and Civic Engagement; and Access to Community Resources and Information. Together with findings from the 2010 Senior Needs Assessment, the City is positioned to work in collaboration with the Senior Advisory Commission, community partners, and agencies to better align programs and services with senior needs and priorities.
The Santa Clara Parks & Recreation Department 2017 Senior Needs Assessment focused on understanding the priorities and interests of residents of Santa Clara ages 50 and over. Sources of data collection included online and paper surveys that were available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and focus groups offered in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. A total of 785 residents completed online or paper surveys and 31 residents participated in seven focus groups. Outreach for the survey was conducted at the Santa Clara Senior Center, senior resident facilities, community events, and locations visited by seniors such as grocery stores, the library, and a farmers’ market.
Parks & Recreation Department staff convened community partners in May 2017 to obtain input on the assessment design as well as trends observed by partner agencies and other City Departments. Applied Survey Research, a social research firm, was contracted to analyze the assessment data, prepare the 2017 Needs Assessment report of findings, and facilitate a meeting with community partners in February 2018. The participants in the meetings represented nonprofit organizations, hospitals and major county service providers including the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health, Department of Aging and Adult Services, and Valley Transportation Authority. Participation from the City of Santa Clara included members of the City Council, Senior Advisory Commission, Cultural Commission, and staff from various departments.
The report findings will assist the City in aligning programs, policies, and priorities with the needs of older adults and help coordinate with providers of older adult services.
DISCUSSION
The key findings by domain indicated that:
• Economics-significant numbers of seniors are still employed, particularly those ages 50-59;
• Community-seniors find Santa Clara a good place to live and 78% of respondents indicated a desire to age in place in Santa Clara;
• Housing-most respondents want to live independently, in their own home as they age and having a well-maintained home is important;
• Outdoor Spaces/buildings-most respondents indicated safety and accessibility are important;
• Transportation-most respondents want safe and well-maintained streets and most drive themselves to appointments and shopping;
• Health, Wellness & Nutrition-most respondents are in very good or excellent health, getting frequent exercise; however, up to 15% reported frequent sadness and depression in the past two weeks; 70% of the lowest income seniors do not use meal services;
• Social Engagement-seniors highly value affordable/discounted activities that are well publicized; 70% interact with friends and family daily;
• Access to Resources & Information-senior center use is highest among ages 70+ and lower income persons.
Not surprisingly, the highest needs expressed were for more affordable housing, assistance with maintenance, safe walkable sidewalks and intersections, accessible convenient transportation, senior center hours to accommodate working seniors, and access to reliable information.
The Senior Advisory Commission reviewed the Assessment’s final report on April 22, 2019 and motioned to note and file the report. Should the Assessment’s Final Report be approved by Council, the Senior Advisory Commission may use the findings to help focus future work plan goals and activities. Furthermore, the Assessment will inform the City’s continued work as an “Age-Friendly City” and accomplish a goal set with the World Health Organization in 2016 to complete a senior needs assessment.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to accept, note and file the Assessment report. Any work plan goals stemming from the report that require funding will need to return to Council for review and approval at a later date and in context of other City priorities and funding limitations.
COORDINATION
A draft of the Senior Needs Assessment was coordinated with the Community Development Department, Public Works Department, and Library Department.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Senior Advisory Commission’s agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, e-mail clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and File the City of Santa Clara Senior Needs Assessment Final Report.
Staff
Reviewed by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manger
ATTACHMENTS
1. Senior Needs Assessment 2017 - Final Report