STEP IN TIME—Dr. Bhojo Shahani leads a dance class at Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks on a recent Monday. Shahani has been volunteering at the adult center for 19 years. The Council on Aging (COA), an advisory body of the T.O. City Council, presented a Senior Adult Master Plan that was unanimously received by the council.

During their Oct. 13 meeting, council members heard the result of COA’s survey of 5,000 seniors.

The survey was taken to assess the needs of Conejo Valley seniors so the city can prepare for future needs.

Recommendations from the COA are that the city “continues to be a healthy, senior adult-friendly community.” The group called for increased awareness of existing senior adult programs, services and volunteer opportunities.

The city also needs to provide education and support to promote active, involved and well-informed senior citizens, and improve and increase health, housing, recreation, transportation and volunteer services, the report said.

“The current and future need for low-income, affordable senior housing far exceeds the current and projected availability of such housing,” the plan stated.

Financial assistance is needed for healthcare. Fifty-four percent of those surveyed said they would use a public healthcare center if one were available in the community. Low-cost, preventive healthcare and screenings are also necessary, the master plan said.

Fifteen percent need help paying for dental, vision or hearing care. Eleven percent need help getting to medical appointments. Ten percent need help paying for prescription drugs.

Eighty-six percent of those surveyed drive themselves, but 24 percent said they need help getting to medical appointments, or for grocery shopping and social activities.

Seniors and baby boomers, born from 1946 to 1964, expressed interest in Goebel Senior Center activities, but the facility lacks sufficient space for an anticipated increase in participants. Newbury Park residents showed an interest in having a senior center or additional activities in their area.

An increase in seniors as boomers age will also create a need for more nurses and care facilities.

Seniors also said they need financial help for home repairs and yard work assistance.

––Nancy Needham