Project Recommendation #13
Project Recommendation #13
The Area Agency on Aging will collaborate with rural and unincorporated communities to develop strategies for locating and receiving high-quality critical services, such as ambulance, fire, police, grocery and pharmacy services.
California's 5 Bold Goals: Inclusion & Equity, Not Isolation; Affording Aging
AARP's 8 Domains of Livability: Health Services & Community Supports
Focus group participants in some communities strongly prioritized access to critical services that impact the health and safety of residents. Community members spoke about the health risk to older adults and people with disabilities when critical services are missing. They expressed an urgent need for consistent ambulance, fire and police service, as well as more grocery, pharmacy, and 24-hour medical and urgent care options in town. In rural and unincorporated communities across Merced County, most residents get their needs met by driving to larger urban centers where these services exist.
Focus group participants explained that the location of certain communities to the border of Merced County and neighboring counties has historically put them in a precarious position regarding these types of resources. They hope that this Action Plan can succeed where other advocacy efforts have failed, linking the need for critical services with the disproportionate impact on older adults and people with disabilities. This project is similar to Project Recommendation #5, in that there are a number of tools available to the County and more isolated communities to advocate for and implement critical service delivery (as well as encourage the location of desired businesses).
The Area Agency on Aging is committed to working with interested communities on an updated critical service strategy, including an assessment of ambulance response times and cost, fire and police response times and enforcement of dangerous conditions, and access to basic health needs for isolated households. The joint strategy may also include fund development options, as necessary.
The Area Agency on Aging will outreach to and meet with interested community leaders to identify specific requests for improvement regarding ambulance, fire and police service by December 31, 2025.
The Area Agency on Aging, in collaboration with community leaders and appropriate County staff, will develop an updated critical service strategy for interested communities by June 30, 2026.
Previous Section: Project Recommendation #12 | Next Section: Project Recommendation #14