Using the Age-Friendly Framework for Improving Emergency Preparedness and Response

Panel:

• Bandana Shrestha, Engagement Director, AARP Oregon
• Alan DeLaTorre, Age-Friendly Program Manager, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, City of Portland, Oregon
• Marilyn Daily-Blair, Director, Center 50+, Salem, Oregon
• Chuck Bennett, Mayor of Salem, Oregon

Summary:

According to demographic projections, in 2030, one out of every five people in the United States will be age 65 or over. Oregon is one of the fastest-aging states in the West, and many communities are at the front edge of this demographic shift. How can our communities plan, prepare, and respond better to emergencies using the Age-Friendly Communities framework? This session will explore the important role the framework can play in improving emergency preparedness and response, promoting inclusive program development and implementation, and strengthening community resilience. Speakers will discuss lessons learned from age-friendly communities around the country as well as right here in Oregon.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the age-friendly communities framework and how it can be used for approaching disaster response and recovery.
• Identify how age-friendly communities' infrastructure and community partnerships can streamline program development, reduce duplication, and improve the communities' ability to fill service gaps during emergencies.
• Give examples of how an equity framework can be used to design and implement emergency response and recovery programs.

Session Facilitator: Margaret Neal

Continuing Education Credit:

This session has been approved for 2 CME credits (AMA PRE Category 1)* and 2 AFH training credits.

*Accreditation Statement: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of St. Charles Health System and Oregon Gerontological Association (OGA). St. Charles Health System is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. St. Charles Health System designates this live activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This is the second of five sessions of OGA's 2020 virtual conference. You can register for individual sessions or, at a discount, for the entire conference series. For an overview of all sessions, please visit the conference page.

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Bandana Shrestha is the Director of Community Engagement for AARP Oregon. During her 20+ year career as a leader in community engagement, Bandana has developed, managed, and promoted programs and strategies to drive people-powered solutions to affect positive social change for local, national, and international organizations. In her current role, Bandana leads AARP Oregon’s community & volunteer engagement efforts and its livability initiatives in the state, including growing and supporting the Network of Age-Friendly Communities, advocating for policies and program that enhance affordable and accessible housing options, and expanding transportation and mobility options for all.  Prior to joining AARP, Bandana served as Director of Model Programs and Partnerships at the Points of Light Foundation in Washington, DC. Bandana has a BA from Linfield College and a MFA from University of Oregon. She serves on the board of Asian Pacific Islander Network of Oregon, Metro’s Housing Bond Oversight Committee, and the Getting There Together Coalition Steering Committee.

Alan DeLaTorre, PhD, serves as the City of Portland’s Age-Friendly Program manager. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, he began working in the City’s Emergency Coordination Center and now leads the Aging and Disability Community Project. Prior to working for the City, Dr. DeLaTorre was a researcher at Portland State University’s Institute on Aging where he co-coordinated the Age-Friendly Portland & Multnomah County initiative, taught courses in gerontology and urban studies, and sought to bridge research, policy, and practice in order to improve livability and equitable community development for people of all ages and abilities.

Marilyn Daily-Blair has been a Senior Center Executive Director for 25 years. For the last 20 years she has served at the Salem Senior Center, now named Center 50+. She graduated from Western Oregon University with a degree in Public Policy Administration with a minor in Sociology and special emphasis in Aging and Maturing. Marilyn was hired in 1999 during a major budget crisis in which the Senior Center was on "closure” list. Under her leadership she organized the Seniors and engaged them in a Strategic Operation Planning process. That process has led this Center to be a strong viable community resource. Center 50+ is recognized as the first to achieve National Accreditation in the State of Oregon, joining the ranks of fewer than 150 in the Country. Her most exciting time of her career however, has been the last 10 years where she was a given the opportunity to lead  the planning, development, construction, and opening of a new facility, Center 50+ and being appointed the staff  to lead the City of Salem’s efforts to become an Age Friendly community.

Mayor Chuck Bennett took office on January 4, 2017. He is serving his second term as Mayor of Salem after nine years on the Salem City Council, where he was Council President and chair of the Salem Housing Authority. A passionate community volunteer, Mayor Bennett has served on numerous committee for the past 25 years, including the city Budget Committee, Library Advisory Board, Planning Commission, Cultural and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board, as well as on task forces addressing issues such as revenue, homelessness, traffic congestion, and water quality and quantity.

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