Weho Senior Advisory Board Gives Seniors a Voice

Aging Matters, Weho Patch's newest column, centers around the city's 50 and over population, including everything from upcoming events, current issues and services to positive aging, lifelong learning and interesting people.  

As a longtime resident of West Hollywood— and an older adult—it is comforting to know that there is a group of 11 men and women who function as the heartbeat of the city’s older adult population. It is the West Hollywood Senior Advisory Board.

Founded in 1984—the year West Hollywood became a city—the Board serves as “the voice” of the older residents or as Mayor John Heilman puts it: “a key source for providing advice and recommendations to our City Council on issues of concerns of our older residents."

The Board’s importance increases each day as baby boomers age, folks live longer and budget cuts dig deeply into vital programs and services. “The Board, along with Social Services, is up to the challenge of finding creative ways to tackle those serious problems,” said Chair Pat Dixon.

West Hollywood is considered a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community with approximately 21 percent of the city’s population over the age of 65, according to Daphne Dennis, the city's social services manager and board liaison.

The Board has been very involved in Plummer Park’s Master Plan and implementation, and advocates for affordable housing, said Dennis. The group has also spearheaded a number of new programs and social activities for the city’s senior population.

Currently on the Board’s agenda is the coordination of several activities to be held during the month of May, which is Older American’s Month. According to Dixon these include a luncheon honoring two of the city’s older adults, as well as a Senior Health Fair, now in its 11th year.

"The Health Fair is one of the Advisory Board’s very important contributions to the city," said Heilman. “We are really lucky to have the expertise and talent the board members provide." 

The Senior Advisory Board meets every third Wednesday, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at . For additional information, visit www.weho.org.