16-1417 Supporting the City's Application to the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities and CitiesRESOLUTION 16-1417
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
LONGWOOD, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE CITY'S APPLICATION
TO THE AARP NETWORK OF AGE -FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES AND
WHO GLOBAL NETWORK OF AGE -FRIENDLY CITIES AND
COMMUNITIES, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the global population of people aged 60 and over is expected to grow from 600 million
in 2000 to almost 2 billion by 2050; and
WHEREAS, in the United States, the population of people aged 65 and over is expected to grow
from 35 million in 2000 to 88.5 million by 2050, taking the total share of the 65+ population from 12
percent to 20 percent of the total population; and
WHEREAS, research shows that older Americans overwhelmingly want to remain in their homes
and communities as they age; and
WHEREAS, access to quality health care and long-term services and supports is essential for
individuals to live in their homes and communities; and
WHEREAS, of the 80 percent of adults 65 and older living in metropolitan areas, 64 percent live
outside the principal cities of these areas in suburban locations that tend to be auto -dependent,
creating challenges for residents who do not drive; and
WHEREAS, 21 percent of adults age 65 and older do not drive, and more than half of these non-
drivers do not leave home on a given day, in part because they lack transportation options; and
WHEREAS, reduced mobility for older non -drivers leads to 15 percent fewer trips to the doctor, 59
percent fewer shopping trips and visits to restaurants, and 65 percent fewer trips for social, family
and religious activities; and
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a Global Network of Age -
Friendly Cities and Communities to encourage and promote public policies to increase the number of
cities and communities that support healthy ageing and thereby improve the health, well-being,
satisfaction, and quality of life for older Americans; and
WHEREAS, active aging is a life-long process, whereby an age -friendly community is not just
"elder -friendly" but also intended to be friendly for all ages; and
WHEREAS, the WHO has noted that "[m]aking cities and communities age -friendly is one of the
most effective policy approaches for responding to demographic ageing," and
WHEREAS, the WHO has developed eight domains of community life that influence the health and
quality of life of older people:
1.Outdoor spaces and buildings — accessibility to and availability of clean, safe community
centers, parks, and other recreational facilities;
2. Transportation — safe and affordable modes of private and public transportation,
"Complete Streets" types of initiatives, hospitable built environments;
Resolution No.16-1417/Page I
3. Housing — wide range of housing options for older residents, ageing in place and other
home modification programs, housing that is accessible to transportation and community and
health services;
4. Social participation — access to leisure and cultural activities; opportunities for older
residents to participate in social and civic engagement with their peers and younger people;
5. Respect and social inclusion — programs to support and promote ethnic and cultural
diversity, programs to encourage multigenerational interaction and dialogue, programs to
combat loneliness and isolation among older residents;
6. Civic participation and employment — promotion of paid work and volunteer
opportunities for older residents; opportunities for older residents to engage in formulation of
policies relevant to their lives;
7. Communication and information — promotion of and access to the use of technology to
keep older residents connected to their community and friends and family, both near and far;
and
8. Community support and health services — access to homecare services, clinics,
programs to promote active ageing (physical exercise and healthy habits); and
WHEREAS, the WHO recognizes that cities and communities have different needs, resources, and
varying capacities to engage their resources to take action to facilitate active aging;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of Longwood,
Florida, as follows:
Section I: The City Commission supports initiatives and opportunities of the World Health
Organization's Age -Friendly Cities and Communities and the City's enrollment into the AARP
Network of Age Friendly Communities, and directs the City Manager to have the appropriate
staff include this resolution along with the required application and commitment letter.
Section II: This resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 5TH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2016.
ATT S :
A&CHK�Kgo,elffW, City Clerk
Approv
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for the use and reliance of the City of Longwood, Florida only.
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Resolution No.16-1417/Page 2