Class 2

Photovoice  5/7/2018

Hannah discussed the process of Photovoice and how we will use that research methodology to document our exhibit to display how our communities are or are not age friendly.

We reviewed the list of Age Friendly Community themes that we came up with from our first class. We discussed how we will need to think about these themes and how we will document them with photos.

We continue to add to our list of who should be invited to the Exhibit to be held on 6/11/2018 at IORA in Medford.

Through our discussions on the topic, some helpful recommendations come about.
Today, we discussed the use of the website SeeClickFix .   SeeClickFix is the tool your neighborhood needs to fix that broken sidewalk and the pothole on the bus route. It connects neighbors, community groups, and local governments with free, public web and mobile tools to improve the quality of life in the places they live.

Another useful resource discussed was the use of your city/town 311 service. 311 is a one stop number for constituent services hotline to report non-emergency concerns or questions. Some of the calls made to 311 are for: potholes, missed trash pickups, illegal parking, or to get a TV or computer monitor picked up. 

One of our members discussed how she is part of an intergenerational program with the local school. She meets with the students and she may read to them or have discussions with them.

We also shared experiences that we have encounter that make life "non age friendly". One member talked about how the elevator in her building closes very fast and she was hit by the doors while trying to make it into the elevator.  Another mentioned that where she waits for a bus, there is no bench or protective covering there. Others talked about trying to cross some major streets where the walk signal does not allocate enough time for elderly, handicap or mothers with little children to cross. 

We also do discuss positive encounters. One member told us about how the building she lives in is very age friendly. There are large automatic buttons to open the front door, the ability to use a fob to open her unit, and age friendly designs built into the unit. 

As a note: The Somerville Council on Aging will be holding an "Aging in Place Senior housing Fair" Click here to see the flyer.