Recommendation: 20220713-13: Changing the Name of the Commission on Seniors to the Commission on Aging and Updating City Code Section 2-1-132 — original pdf

Recommendation

RECOMMENDATION Commission on Seniors Recommendation Number: 20220713-13: Changing the Name of the Commission on Seniors to the Commission on Aging and Updating City Code Section 2-1-132 WHEREAS, the term “seniors” is falling out of use when describing older adults, as many find it patronizing and ageist. For example, The American Psychological Association recommends using the term “older adults” and avoiding “terms such as “seniors,” “elderly,” “the aged,” “aging dependents,” and similar “othering” terms because they connote a stereotype and suggest that members of the group are not part of society but rather a group apart (see Lundebjerg et al., 2017; Sweetland et al., 2017)”; and WHEREAS, the term “aging” brings to mind a dynamic process that leads to new abilities and knowledge that continues to contribute to the community; and WHEREAS, renaming the Commission on Seniors the Commission on Aging would be consistent with names of other similar commissions, and with the name of local, state, and national agencies and organizations addressing the needs of older adults, such as the Area Agency on Aging, The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, the UT-Austin Aging and Longevity Center, and the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging; and WHEREAS; other parts of the City of Austin are transitioning away from using the term “seniors”. For example, the Parks and Recreation Department is moving from the term “senior programs” to “Varsity Generation” programs and services after research and community feedback; and WHEREAS, the membership of the commission should be diverse and inclusive, reflecting all who live in the Austin community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Seniors recommends the Austin City Council approve amendments to the city code and commission bylaws attached to this resolution. These amendments: • Change the name of the Commission on Seniors to the Commission on Aging • Replace the term “seniors” with the term “older adults” in the ordinance and bylaws • Include the goal for the commission to be inclusive and represent a diversity of ethnicity, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, socioeconomic status, and national origin and include older adults who are representative of our diverse community. Date of Approval: July 13, 2022 Record of the vote: 8-0 For: Briesemeister, Angel, De Maria Nicola, Garcia-Pittman, Kareithi, Lugo, Van Sickle, Van de Putte Against: None Absent: Temperley, Bauman, Bordie, Cagle, Lopez-Guerrero, Varteressian Attest: _____________________________________________ Janee Briesemeister, Chair