Community Spotlights

Age-Friendly Action Plan Focuses on East Palo Alto’s Diverse Older Adult Population

Overview

The City of East Palo Alto was designated as an age-friendly community in June 2023 and worked to develop an age-friendly plan over the next three years. The effort was supported with a California Local Agency & Disability Action Planning (LADAP) grant. East Palo Alto’s age-friendly journey reflects the community’s ongoing commitment to promoting inclusive and supportive environments for all.

Three older adults sitting around a table, smiling.

The Challenge

East Palo Alto's older adult population reflects the City's rich cultural and linguistic diversity. Community leaders recognized the need to expand access to culturally and linguistically responsive information, technology, services, and social engagement opportunities for older adults. A long-term plan was needed to guide future investments and age-friendly initiatives.

The Approach

Under LADAP, the Center for Age-Friendly Excellence (CAFE) worked with city leaders, elected officials, community partners, and residents to develop an Age-Friendly Action Plan. The effort built on existing age-friendly projects, including plans for a Senior Hub to improve access to technology and digital literacy, expanded multilingual outreach in Spanish, Chinese, and Tongan, and new opportunities for social connection through classes, field trips, and community activities. An Age-Friendly Town Hall engaged 42 residents, including 28 Spanish-speaking participants, whose feedback helped inform the Age-Friendly Action Plan.

group of older adults exercising outside, on a grassy patch.

“We need more opportunities to participate in outdoor group activities,
but there are too few areas where we can safely walk and stay active.”
- City of East Palo Alto Community Member

The Results

East Palo Alto completed an Age-Friendly Action Planthat reflects the voices, experiences, and preferences of older adults and community organizations. The Action Plan provides a roadmap to improve livability and support for the City's older adults, including strategies to enhance services, expand technology access, strengthen multilingual communication, and increase social engagement opportunities. The Action Plan also gives city leaders a framework for building and implementing age-friendly initiatives in the years ahead.

an older adult, standing and smiling, outside the door of a City of East Palo Alto bus.

“We need better and safer transportation throughout and beyond our
City for seniors and people with disabilities for our medical appointments,
food shopping, church, and ongoing day-today activities.”
- City of East Palo Alto Community Member