Aging in Place
The Riverside City Council recently endorsed Riverside as the national's first official "Senior Friendly Community". Using Riverside as a model city, the Senior Friendly Communities of America is launching its nationwide accreditation program, which evaluates communities for their level of programs, services and commitment to seniors.

The Mayor's Commission on Aging has long been active in senior's issues and activities, promoting the City's seniors to all concerned. As an example, it commissioned a needs assessment and study of seniors and the resulting report proposed a variety of actions, which would further develop Riverside's commitment to its senior residents. One of the recommendations involved the creation of a resource and coordinating office to provide information and assistance to seniors citywide; the city now hosts an Office of Senior Services to do just that.

To celebrate its highly active and engaged senior population, the Riverside City Council proclaimed the third Monday of each September to be "Senior's Day". A Mayor's Charity Golf Tournament for Seniors took place in 2003 and is planned for 2004 - a way to raise funds for seniors programs and services.

Dales Senior Center offers numerous programs to enhance the quality of life of the senior population, including the Vitamin Relief USA Senior Support program, the Riverside Walkers for Health and Fun, and "Facts n Fun" a bimonthly newsletter specially designed for the young at heart senior. Finally, a new initiative of the Mayor's Commission on Aging is a taskforce on senior's housing needs, recently underway and examining the City's provision of appropriate housing for its seniors.