| Royal Oak, MI

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) estimates the senior population of Royal Oak to grow by at least 34.8 percent by the year 2045. To prepare for the forecasted growth in the senior population, the Royal Oak Senior Services / Aging in Place Task Force has endorsed the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) “Age-Friendly Communities” program.

This program utilizes extensive community engagement of the senior population to identify ways to improve city services and design to better accommodate aging residents. Input from residents has the potential to improve future master plan development, land use, and community services.

The task force is working to create a plan that will give the city steps to become more age friendly and ensure that seniors are able to actively and fully participate in the community. Creating the plan is year two of a five year plan. Years three through five will focus on implementing the recommended changes.

Right now there are 6 working groups focusing on different topics including:

Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
Transportation
Housing
Community Engagement and Inclusion
Communication and Information
Community and Health Service

These topics come from the AARP's 8 domains of livability for seniors. The task force combined 3 domains into the Community Engagement and Inclusion topic. Each working group is made up of residents and experts with professional expertise. There are over 50 residents, experts and city staff participating in this effort to review the data that was collected, hear from services being provided now and come up with some recommendations for future improvements.

How can you get involved?

At this time the task force is collecting information for individuals who would like to step in if another working group member drops off. Just email Susan Barkman and let her know which group you would like to join.

Check out the kick off presentation!

Visit the agenda center for meeting dates, agendas and minutes for the task force and working groups.

Project Timeline

February 2018

The City Commission created the Senior Services | Aging in Place Task Force to advise the city on issues pertaining to seniors.

February 2019

The task force applied to the AARP's Age-Friendly Network with the intent to apply for the Livable Cities designation. There was an initial kick off presentation from the AARP.

Spring 2019

The task force held several focus groups with senior residents to collect data on how they perceived programs and services related to aging in place in Royal Oak

Late 2019

The task force conducted additional focus groups and opened a community survey to hear from more residents about what they thought was important to aging in place in Royal Oak.

Spring 2020

Just as the task force was getting ready to move forward with next steps the pandemic happened. The task force was put on pause through early 2021.

Spring 2021

The task force began to meet again to move forward. Through the summer, and fall the group worked to move forward by reviewing data, and set up the working groups.

December 2021

The task force is hosting a kick off meeting for working groups to understand the work that has been done and the work that they will be doing. Each working group will focus on one domain to review services, the data that was collected and find potential solutions.

January to April 2022

The working groups will be meeting about every 3 weeks to develop an action plan for their domain.

Summer 2022 (Tentative)

The task force will be drafting an action plan to recommend to the city commission for adoption.

Fall 2022 (Tentative)

The task force will receive public comment on the proposed plan.

Winter 2022 (Tentative)

The task force hopes to submit the plan to both the city commission for approval and to the AARP for the Livable Cities Designation.

Check back for future updates!

How can you get involved?

Resources for Seniors