What Can Evanston Do to Be Friendlier For Seniors?

The following press release was submitted by the city of Evanston:

The City of Evanston is preparing to make Evanston a friendlier place for its maturing population to live. As part of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Network of Age Friendly Cities program, the City of Evanston will be measuring its age-friendliness and investigating the assets and gaps in city services provided to its older adult population.

Age-friendliness will be measured by listening to residents and representatives from key agencies in the community. Findings will be included when formulating a three-year citywide action plan for implementation to make Evanston age-friendly.

This process will begin with community meetings to explain the Age Friendly Cities program to residents. Attendees will hear “why, how and when” the “Age Friendly Evanston!” project is being launched. Light refreshments will be served. Meetings are scheduled to be held in Evanston at theLevy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Avenue and Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster Street, as follows:

• Saturday, October 19, 2013, 10:00 a.m., Levy Center
• Tuesday, October 22, 2013, 1:30 p.m., Levy Center
• Tuesday, October 22, 2013, 7:00 p.m., Levy Center
• Wednesday, October 23, 2013, 1:00 p.m., Fleetwood-Jourdain Center
• Wednesday, October 23, 2013, 10:00 a.m., Levy Center

Feedback regarding senior services provided in Evanston is being sought from older residents and their family members by November 1, 2013. Feedback and suggestions are essential in planning for the future. The information gathered with this survey will be used in the initial evaluation of Evanston’s “age friendliness.” The survey results will be used to start a community-wide discussion about assessing Evanston’s preparedness for a maturing population.

Beginning October 19, 2013, printed surveys will be available at the following locations in Evanston: Levy Senior Center and Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center (addresses above); Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Avenue; Evanston Public Library locations at 1703 Orrington Ave., 2026 Central St. and 900 Chicago Ave.; McGaw YMCA, 1000 Grove St.; and North Shore Residence, 1611 Chicago Ave.

Surveys are available online here and feedback and suggestions may be emailed to aging@cityofevanston.org. Residents may call 3-1-1 (847-448-4311) to request that a survey be mailed to them or request to complete the survey over the phone. Residents also are welcome to call 3-1-1 to provide feedback and suggestions without completing a survey. The 3-1-1 service is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Mayor Tisdahl is establishing a nine-member task force with a mandate to develop an Age Friendly Initiative, which will include formulating a three-year citywide action plan for implementation. The "Age Friendly Evanston!" task force will make recommendations to the Evanston City Council on the creation and implementation of an action plan based on the objectives of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Age Friendly Communities Program.

To create the action plan, the task force will oversee community outreach and data collection efforts, review results and develop recommendations to be included in the action plan. Apply here to be considered for the "Age Friendly Evanston!" task force.

If you would you like more information about “Age Friendly Evanston!,” wich to share feedback about senior services in the community or participate in focus groups or round table discussion, please contact Christina Ferraro, Senior Services Manager, City of Evanston, at 847-448-8251 or emailcferraro@cityofevanston.org.