I decided to do my age friendly neighborhood assessment (NAP) on La Puente, the city in LA county that I am home to. The average age in La Puente is 32.8 years old. Senior citizen residents make up roughly 9% of the population, making them a minority in the city [3]. According to the United States Census, the primary racial group is Latino (84.7%) as Asians make up the second largest racial group at 10% [2].Though the average household in La Puente does not make much less than the state average in terms of income, the quality of living is noticeably different. The surrounding industrial buildings produce noise and air pollution that have an effect on the residents’ health. Also, La Puente could be categorized as a food swamp, meaning that the junk food, liquor store, and unhealthy food options outnumber the healthy food options available.Within La Puente borders, there are only two green outdoor spaces: La Puente City Park and Puente Creek Nature Educational Center. These do not account for the various green, public spaces in surrounding cities; however, those do not belong to the La Puente city community. Though these green spaces are relatively well-kept, and the physical barriers of access are minimal, a major factor that may repel senior citizens from them is the amount of gang activity and violence that exists in the city. As Josh Haskell reports in the article, “La Puente fireworks show sees less attendees after recent shootings”, an upsurge of gang violence in the city deters people from public spaces where the threat of violence exists. Despite all other criteria being soundly met, i.e. availability of seating, condition of pavements, adequate restrooms, and buildings being properly handicap accessible, the threat of gang violence prevents these public places from being enjoyed by the elderly in the area.
To better make open spaces more age-friendly for its residents, La Puente must increase their efforts in decreasing the gang violence and presence in the city. In doing so, the large barrier of danger would be removed and older citizens, as well as the general public, would feel encouraged to enjoy the open spaces. One of the city’s greatest weaknesses is in social participation. To improve on this at the same time address isolation and loneliness of older adults, La Puente can expand on intergenerational social opportunities by collaborating with education institutions (i.e. schools and universities) to create some sort of mentorship program. La Puente could also expand on community activities and volunteering opportunities where older adults may not only interact with each other, but with younger generations as well. Intergenerational social opportunities would also allow for younger groups to better appreciate the elders in their community.
To better make open spaces more age-friendly for its residents, La Puente must increase their efforts in decreasing the gang violence and presence in the city. In doing so, the large barrier of danger would be removed and older citizens, as well as the general public, would feel encouraged to enjoy the open spaces. One of the city’s greatest weaknesses is in social participation. To improve on this at the same time address isolation and loneliness of older adults, La Puente can expand on intergenerational social opportunities by collaborating with education institutions (i.e. schools and universities) to create some sort of mentorship program. La Puente could also expand on community activities and volunteering opportunities where older adults may not only interact with each other, but with younger generations as well. Intergenerational social opportunities would also allow for younger groups to better appreciate the elders in their community.