PLAN DOWNTOWN OAKLAND – MAKE OAKLAND SENIOR FRIENDLY http://speakupoakland.org/projects/plan-downtown-oakland
10-14-15
PUBLIC SEATING AREAS ARE NOT SENIOR FRIENDLY AS SEATING IS TOO LOW FOR SENIORS.
Most times we have to plop down and the seats are much lower than we expect and we almost fall over backwards.
most times we have difficulty getting up and need help because the seating is so low. We could do this on our own if some seats were higher.
NOT SENIOR FRIENDLY This is true on BART trains, public bus stops, park areas benches, auditoriums, movie theaters, toilets, paratransit cars, etc. etc.
All seating should be marked for others to give up seats when required not only for handicap, but also for seniors like is done on the BART TRAINS.
INDEPENDENT SENIOR HOUSING: whether they put in large or small refrigerators on the floor, seniors can not reach the vegetable areas without falling over because they are simply TOO LOW and with high blood pressure seniors are apt to fall when bending down to access produce.
Some seating should be higher to accommodate not only small or large people but SENIORS as well.
Improve the quality of SENIOR SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES. Most are abysmal and no one from the city, it seems, checks on the quality of staff, food, maintenance, etc. The food quality is generally horrible and has not been updated as they are now in the schools. Why can’t seniors in these facilities have a MENU selection, instead of potatoes, morning, noon, and night. Why can’t we hire better licensed dieticians. The facilities are not adequately staffed with licensed qualified staff around the clock. Who oversees this from the city to ensure the county and the state are doing their jobs. My family has suffered in these facilities.
STREET SIGNS Ensure signage is large enough to be seen clearly by seniors and those with vision issues, whether walking or driving.
Ensure there are sufficient handicap zones around public buildings, theaters, museums, movie theaters. Improving biking facilities is fine, but think of the seniors as well.
Seniors have difficulty parking in the parking lots and getting to city services in Ogawa Plaza. Inadequate signs to direct you to the correct building. TOO MUCH WALKING. One always, it seems gets directed to the wrong building for services. For me, it’s a nightmare.
The best thing Oakland has is Seniors do not have to pay for parking. It is a lifesave for me in terms of money and in terms of walking. SENIOR HOTLINE have an automated senior hotline where seniors can leave messages for the City of Oakland. The automated tree directories are a mess and too often go no where.