Pathways to Positive Aging
Partnership

Nearly 1,300 residents of the Tri-City area of Fremont, Newark and Union City, California engaged in the interactive process of developing a community plan and vision for how to care for elder members while respecting and valuing their wisdom and ongoing contributions. In the Tri-City area, a very diverse older population will double in the next two decades, while the over 85 population will triple.  A vision emerged to create a community that has the following characteristics: an environment that respects diversity and values senior participation; senior service information that is available for easy access and referral; multi-lingual and culturally sensitive services are available for all; services for seniors are coordinated; and affordable senior housing with supportive services is made available. Among the more than 60 partners are representatives from community cultural groups, the transit authority, library, senior centers, Kaiser Permanente, Palo Alto Medical Foundation and a local bank.

Successes:

• The Partnership worked to expand the Tri-City Senior Help Line to include access to Farsi, Mandarin and Spanish-speaking care managers; started a Mandarin-speaking caregiver support group; launched an Afghan Men’s Group and secured funding for the Afghan Health Promoter Program; and established India Community Center classes at Fremont Senior Center.
• Engaged teens in movie outings to assist frail seniors, and created an intergenerational Pen Pal program to promote communication between elders and young people
• Trained 150 postal workers to recognize warning signs of seniors in need and to refer them to the Senior Help Line.
• The Senior Opportunities Workgroup is working with retirees to build the capacity of area nonprofits through a multi-session educational program. Retirees will teach and coach staff of nonprofit organizations based on their work and life experiences.

Real Life Impact:

In January 2007, 60 sixth grade students in Fremont were paired with 30 seniors in the Partnership Pen Pal program. Between February and April, students and seniors wrote letters to one another; sharing their lives, wisdom, talents and hobbies. Many even sent gifts to one another. In May, the seniors and students met at a celebration lunch at the Fremont Senior Center. Fremont Mayor Bob Wasserman awarded the students certificates and four teen coordinators received community service hours. Many of the students and seniors reported that their lives were touched by the program.