Evanston.

A Place for Everyone.

An “Age-Friendly Community”.

Continuing to Build A Livable Community

04/10/2023

04/10/2023

Started March 1st ….

City staff:

Community Economic Development:

Johanna Nyden

GIS:

Mark Varner

Latino Outreach:

Adela Hernandez

Library:

Karen Danczak Lyons

Sustainability:

Catherine Hurley

Health:

Evonda Thomas

Public Works:

Suzette Robinson and James Maiworm

Citizen Engagement:

Erika Storlie

Downtown Evanston:

Carolyn Dellutri North Shore Village:

Helen Gagel North Shore Senior Center:

Liz Gordon and Jordan Lurher North Shore Retirement Hotel:

Margaret Gergen Services for Adults Staying in Their Homes

(SASI):

Marie O’Connor and Ellen Browne CJE SeniorLife:

Gerri Persin-Fiterman and Kate Fischer Village of Skokie:

Maureen Murphy AARP: Livable Communities

Amy Levner, Manager of Education Center for Digital Government:

Rochelle Ipps research livable communities Northwestern University Buehler Center

on Aging:

Rebecca Johnson, PhD Amy Eisenstein, PhD

Institute on Aging Portland State University

Alan DeLaTorre, PhD

04/10/2023

“Age-Friendly” Evanston

The City is working to develop partnerships and collaborations for the City’s senior population.

We are committed to creating inclusive and accessible urban environments to benefit seniors and residents of all ages.

04/10/2023

Is Evanston prepared for this Demographic Shift? “Aging in Place”

being able to live wherever we want regardless of age or ability.

We need to be prepared to ask the essential questions to move forward:

Is Evanston prepared to handle the needs of its aging population?

What will Evanston residents require as they age?

Is Evanston a good place to grow old?

04/10/2023

And the surveys say … Research thus far demonstrated: Forbes magazine’s listed Evanston as #18 in

“America’s Top 25 Towns to Live Well” MatherLifeways 2004 survey showed

“Evanston is a good place to grow old” City of Evanston 2007 National Citizen

Survey showed “Evanston is a livable community”

04/10/2023

Is it “Age-Friendly”? How well does this community meet the

needs of its citizens in all stages of their lives: Is it safe? Affordable? Walkable? Healthy? Inclusive? Is it a great place to grow up and grow old?

04/10/2023

“Age-Friendly Cities” World Health Organization (WHO) designed

project and provide universal standards for “age-friendly” cities.

Advisory Council: team of residents current seniors and future seniors.

Baseline assessment in collaboration with Northwestern University’s Buehler Center on Aging

Potentially focus groups, interviews, surveys

04/10/2023

WHO essential features of “Age-Friendly” cities evaluate community’s "age friendliness" based on

1. outdoor spaces and buildings

2. transportation

3. housing

4. social participation

5. respect and social inclusion

6. civic participation & employment

7. communication & information

8. community and health services

04/10/2023

Network of Age-Friendly Cities The goal of this program is to provide a

system to educate, encourage, promote, and recognize improvements that will make Evanston more user-friendly not only for senior residents but for residents of all ages!

04/10/2023

“Age-Friendly” city projects1. planning, zoning, and infrastructure improvements

2. integrated housing

3. evaluating community social services: meal delivery, adult day programs, and caregiver support

4. evaluating transportation projects: public transit and promoting walkability and accessibility

5. encouraging civic engagement efforts: intergenerational initiatives and opportunities for paid work

04/10/2023

Next Steps

Assemble advisory council Perform assessment (focus groups, surveys,

interviews) Develop city wide action plan Implement and monitor action plan

….. ongoing improvement of “age-friendliness”

04/10/2023

Governments can not pay for all

nonprofits, neighbors helping neighbors, the “village movement”

build on the assets to identify and meet needs in creative ways

team of community key players aid “aging in place”

04/10/2023

Existing “Age-Friendly” Evanston Organized aging services; Street lights with countdown-timer signals; signs at crosswalks warning drivers that state law requires them to

stop; buckets of bright red flags for pedestrians to wave while in a

crosswalk;. audible crosswalk gives a verbal command to cross an intersection. subsidized taxi program; recreation centers, W.O.W, farmers market, Erie Family Health Clinic,

local hospitals; senior center with fitness room, exercise classes, library, computer

lab, etc. two senior nutrition sites and a summer lunch program; Deposit Book Collections at Prim Towers, Jacob Blake, The Grove

and Greenwood Care; www.VolunteerEvanston.com 311, www.cityofevanston.org, text alerts, printed information; File of L.I.F.E. program

04/10/2023

Evanston is a community for all ages Transportation: affordable public transportation,

convenient schedules, more reflective signage, sidewalks to promote safety and encourage walking, audible traffic signals, longer traffic signals

Housing: affordable, architecturally accessible, available and appropriate; home repair and home safety devices

Quality of Life: accessible healthcare, safety, intergenerational opportunities, cultural arts/recreation/fitness/wellness, civic engagement

04/10/2023

Why be “age-friendly”? The Boomers are coming! Economic development Good for all residents Plan for the needs of residents over their

lifespan Connected to home, family and community

… Everyone benefits from having jobs, shopping, health care, recreation, and volunteer opportunities close to home.

04/10/2023

Planning for “Age-Friendly” Evanston

PartnershipsPrioritiesSetting expectations to “age in

place”A place where residents can

work, live and play!

04/10/2023

Vision: Creating the most livable city in America

Evanston.

A Place for Everyone.

An “Age-Friendly Community”.

Continuing to Build A Livable Community.

QUESTIONS?