Parks & Recreation

Office on Aging - About Us

Timeline

2002

• The City of Clearwater affirmed its support of the State of Florida's Elder Ready initiative and issued a resolution to make Clearwater "Elder Ready." Clearwater established a diverse, interdisciplinary Community for a Lifetime Committee and completed the required "Report Card for Well and Frail Elders."

2005

• The City Council established a Senior Center Task Force to evaluate the need for a Senior Center and create a vision for senior services in Clearwater. The Senior Center Task Force recommended that the city establish an Office on Aging to be led by a professional with a core competency in aging issues. 

2006

• Clearwater created an Office on Aging within the city's government.  Kerry Marsalek, Office on Aging Manager, was tasked with expanding the city's Communities for a Lifetime efforts through the development and implementation of an Aging Well Master Plan.  Marsalek is a Clearwater native who holds a Master's degree from the University of South Florida's Department of Aging Studies.



• The Aging Well Telephone Survey project surveyed 500 Clearwater residents age 60 or older on a variety of topics (see Needs Assessment).

2007

• Neighborly Care Network, Senior Citizens Services, and the Cities of Dunedin and Clearwater worked together to launch a new transportation option for area seniors called the EZride service (see New Transportation Option).



• City implements the File of Life program providing critical information to first responders in the event of an emergency (see File of Life).

2008

• City receives $5,500 grant from the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas and the Florida Department of Elder Affairs for an older adult health and wellness program (see Health and Wellness Initiative).



• City of Clearwater receives $727,500, 25-percent matching grant from State of Florida to establish a multi-service senior center (see Aging Well Center).



• The National Center for Creative Aging selects the Clearwater/St. Petersburg area to focus grant-funded creative aging programs to begin in 2009.

Coming in 2009

• Clearwater implements the Aging Well Master Plan, a multi-year, comprehensive plan providing city with a roadmap to further enhance the quality of life for current and future older adults (see Aging Well Master Plan).

Clearwater Office On Aging Affiliations

• Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas - Advisory Council Member
• Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas - Aging & Disability Resource Center Work Group Member
• Alzheimer's Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter - Board Member
• Pinellas County Health and Human Services Coordinating Council  - Administrative Forum Member
• Pinellas County Fall Prevention Coalition - Member
• Pinellas Better Living for Seniors Coalition - Member
• Florida Council on Aging - Member
• National Council on Aging - Member
• National Institute of Senior Centers - Member