Residents bustle about at Irvine’s senior centers throughout the day trying to make it in time for their classes and club meetings.
You’ll see them practicing yoga and tai chi, playing the harmonica and ukulele and planning their next excursions. And things are likely to get even busier at these facilities.
Irvine residents 55 and older account for 20 percent of the city’s population of about 240,000, according to census data. The city estimates that the number will jump to 28 percent by 2020.
To accommodate the needs of this fast-growing demographic, Irvine is updating its Senior Services Strategic Plan, a road-map for the city’s programs and services to meet the needs of senior residents over the next five years.
The city will host community workshops to hear from residents and will draft the 2018-23 strategic plan this year. Dates haven’t been set on when the City Council will meet to review the plan.
About 60 people attended the city’s Jan. 18 workshop at Lakeview Senior Center to discuss their needs in the following five key areas: education, housing, transportation, health and recreation and social well-being.
Attendees told city staff they want more affordable housing, exercise equipment and facilities and support for those with depression and other mental illnesses.
Kathleen Pfeiffer, a former Irvine Senior Citizens Council member who’s lived in Irvine since 1986, said transportation has been a major issue for senior residents.
“Giving up a driver’s license is one of the most difficult things,” the 74-year-old said. For example, she said, many seniors need transportation to get to a doctor’s appointment.
Don Perdue, 71, who serves on the facilities commission for Irvine’s senior centers, said he wants to see Lakeview Senior Center expanded to include more meeting rooms and maybe a fitness room.
“It’s just a real challenge scheduling the place,” he said.
The most requested services during the meeting, however, were classes and programs aimed at helping seniors who speak little English. Many attendees asked for English and citizenship test classes and social events to make new friends.
Spurred by an influx of immigrants, Irvine has became the largest city in the continental United States with more Asian than white residents.
Thirty-five percent of residents were born outside the United States and 42 percent speak languages other than English at home, according to the city.
Young immigrant families sometimes bring their parents to the United States after establishing a life here.
“Most of us have more in common than differences,” Pfeiffer said. “Everybody has same goals. We want to have fun, eat good food and have adventure.”
Irvine already offers many of the services attendees suggested at the community workshop. In case you didn’t know, listed below are some of the senior services and programs provided by the city. For more details on each service, visit irvineseniors.org.
Senior Centers
The city runs three senior centers that offer computer labs, fitness rooms, lunches and various classes and activities ranging from arts and music to tai chi and bingo. About 225,000 people participated in these activities in fiscal 2015-16, Community Services Superintendent Jenn Starnes said.
• Lakeview Senior Center, 20 Lake Road, 949-724-6900
• Rancho Senior Center, 3 Ethel Coplen Way, 949-724-6800
• Trabuco Center, 5701 Trabuco Road, 949-724-7300
Food services
Lunch program: The Rose Garden Cafe at the Lakeview Senior Center serves hot meals that are prepared fresh daily by professional staff on site. The senior lunch program is offered 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Suggested donation of $4 for those 60 and older; $5 for adults age 59 and younger.
Meals on Wheels: Irvine Meals on Wheels delivers healthy meals for home-bound senior residents. Volunteers deliver food for an entire day from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 949-724-6910 for more information.
Transportation
The city’s TRIPS program offers a low-cost, door-to-door transportation to Irvine residents 18 and older who are unable to drive due to a permanent physical or cognitive disability. The service is offered 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday with some weekend availability. Call 949-724-7433 for more information.
Clubs and organizations
Friends of Outreach: The all-volunteer group raises money for Irvine’s senior programs and offers social activities at Lakeview Senior Center. Info: phendee6@cox.net
Afghan Social Group: The group offers activities for the Afghan community 2-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Lakeview Senior Center. Info: Amber Castrey at 949-724-6900
Irvine Evergreen Chinese Senior Association: The group helps connect Chinese-American seniors. A schedule of the monthly activities are posted at Lakeview Senior Center. Info: dragonyear@cox.net
Irvine Korean Evergreen Association: The group offers opportunities for older Korean-Americans to continue their involvement in the community. Info: sun.juneu@gmail.com or 949-285-6545
Irvine Multicultural Association: The program provides educational and social activities to promote harmony and understanding in the community, including weekly English lessons with volunteer mentors.
Irvine Senior Travelers: The nonprofit group coordinates a variety of day and extended tours. Office hours are 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Lakeview Senior Center. Info: 888-882-8714
NEDA Association of Iranian American Seniors: The group helps Iranian-American seniors to maintain friendship and encourages them to get involved in the local community. A schedule of the monthly activities are posted at Lakeview Senior Center. Information: 949-856-2862
Assistance programs
A variety of free consulting programs are available. To make an appointment or for more information, call the Keen Center for Senior Resources at 949-724-6926.
Tax assistance: AARP Foundation provides free tax assistance to individuals with low to moderate incomes. Services are provided by at Lakeview Senior Center on Wednesdays from Feb. 1 to April 12. By appointment only.
Fair housing: The Fair Housing Foundation will hold free consultations for Irvine seniors. Representatives will assist tenants and landlords with housing questions such as, how to get a security deposit back, how landlords can evict a problem tenant and what repairs a landlord must make. Info: 800-446-3247 or fairhousingfoundation.com
Medication review: Individual consultations with a licensed pharmacist to answer questions and review all medications taken are available. Bring all medications you currently take to the appointment, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and supplements.
Contact the writer: tshimura@scng.com
