Respect & Social Inclusion

Our vision for Oneida County: To increase meaningful and positive engagement by older adults in community life. Needs and preferences of a diversity of older adults heard, considered, and acted upon in planning programs and events. Intergenerational bonds are strengthened.

Highlights

Examples of age-friendly work in the Respect & Social Inclusion domain of livability include:

• Intergenerational programs are offered through Utica University’s Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program (YSLPP) and STEPS program.
• Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care held annual public forums to engage older adult residents in public policy and practice and to gather perceptions of respect given to older adults in the community.
• Phase one of an ageism awareness campaign was implemented through sharing social media posts on Ageism Awareness Day along with a downloadable fact sheet link from the American Society on Aging.

Work Group

The Social-Communication-Inclusion Work Group currently includes representatives from 50 Forward Mohawk Valley, Dunham Public Library, Midtown Utica Community Center, Mohawk Valley Latino Association, New Hartford Public Library, Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care, Oneida County Tourism, Sentinel Media Company, The Center, Utica University, as well as other experts and community members.