A Tale of Two Cities: Advancing Age-Friendly Policy in Santa Monica and Pasadena

During my gerontology internship at CSULB, I had an opportunity to explore the workings of policies on aging in two Southern California cities. Santa Monica and Pasadena are similar-sized incorporated cities in Los Angeles County. According to the latest Census, the older adult population was close to 15% and rapidly growing in both cities. I was invited to attend the Community Open House for Santa Monica’s Aging and Disability Action Plan. Their Department of Human Services organized a facilitated discussion about “what’s working, what can change,” and asked to share ideas on how to support people of diverse backgrounds across all ages and abilities to thrive in Santa Monica. There was more time for an opportunity to share ideas, thoughts, and experiences in writing. Furthermore, the City of Santa Monica invited community members to share feedback through 15 questions, a well-designed online survey available for the month of March, with paper copies distributed at multiple locations around the city. 

I learned that the city of Santa Monica secured a national designation as an age-friendly community and became a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in 2020. The city’s strategic priority of Justice, Equity & Inclusion was advanced even further after receiving a California Department of Aging Local Aging & Disability Action Planning $200,000 grant. In September of last year, the city opened applications for the new Plan’s Advisory Committee, inviting community members to help address the current, emerging, and future needs of the city’s older adults and their caregivers. Five outreach events took place throughout September to learn more about the application process. During the Open House at Santa Monica College, new Committee members, Alana and Natasha, reaffirmed their commitment to the 5-year Action Plan, although getting the funding proved to be challenging with the new administration telling “it won’t be coming.” My lasting impression was that the City truly wanted, as they state, “to make Santa Monica an even better place to live, work, play, and age in place.” They fully utilized AARP access to global research, community networks, planning models, and best practices on how to improve livability for older residents. 

The attempts of the City of Pasadena Senior Commission stood in stark contrast to the progress made in Santa Monica. Pasadena Commissions archives revealed that the Explore the State of Pasadena’s Age-Friendliness ad hoc committee, formed last July, was not advancing in its goal of “Research the AARP guidelines.” I made a public comment for the City commission meeting in March and plan to attend their regular meeting in May as well as make another comment if necessary. Ultimately, witnessing how commitment to improve the quality of life for older adults can vary in different cities confirmed my interest in gerontology and in finding solutions and collaborating with community members. I am highlighting Santa Monica’s Aging and Disability Action Plan because I feel that we are running out of time (and funding) to make our cities age and disability friendly. The system is flawed in a variety of ways and there are vast opportunities for gerontology majors to listen to older adults' civic voices and fulfill their righteous necessities. 

Thank you!

Ana Brouke