Age-Friendly Community Survey
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Charlottesville Area Alliance (CAA) is a coalition made up of non-profits, government agencies, housing, and health care institutions that aim to lead the advancement of an age-friendly community in the Thomas Jefferson Area Continuum of Care. An age-friendly community is defined as one that “enables people of all ages to actively participate in community activities and treats everyone with respect, regardless of their age. It is a place that makes it easy for older people to stay connected to people that are important to them” (World Health Organization).
Data from the survey results below were collected by the Charlottesville Area Alliance through a three-pronged assessment approach of community members ages 50 plus. CAA collected 322 surveys and conducted four focus groups in the City of Charlottesville and Counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, and Nelson. Demographics of those surveyed are below.
Key highlights of the results indicate that seniors age 50 and over in our continuum of care are:
- Generally food secure
- Socially engaged
- Rate the community as a good place to age
- Enjoy their quality of life
Alternatively, findings show that some seniors:
- Do not feel socially included in their communities
- Believe there is not enough affordable housing in the area, leading to higher rates of stress about paying rents and mortgages
Recommendations:
- Review discrepancies between the Thomas Jefferson Health District (TJHD)’s Community Health Survey and the Charlottesville Area Alliance’s Age-Friendly Community Survey. The former primarily assessed how community members respond to resources, while the latter primarily assessed access to resources.
- Present key findings in a comprehensive, easily readable report that includes action items for follow up by City and County representatives
