The City of Peoria has continuously demonstrated itself as a sustainable and livable community through its extensive offering of municipal services and forward-thinking planning. The City’s Livability Initiatives establish a framework of six priorities for the City to guide its mission of “providing excellent municipal services by anticipating communityneeds,” (City of Peoria, 2022). As one of the fastest growing communities in Arizona, Peoria’s population continues to age, creating a need for the City to further develop its resources available for its senior population to ensure the well-being and active participation of the senior population in the community. In response to this need, the City’s Neighborhood and Human Services Department is interested in developing a resource guide for its senior population that includes information about the City’s health services, recreation programs, and classes, as well as how to be an active member of the community.
Graduate students from Dr. Aaron Guest’sHCA 509 Interventions to Support Aging in Placecourse collaborated with the City of Peoria’sNeighborhood and Human Services department to thoroughly review the City’s resources for its senior population. Based on the World HealthOrganization’s Age-friendly Cities Framework and the AARP LivableCommunities resources, students identified eight topical categories to organize resources for older persons, including Staying Active and Involved, Getting Around, Housing and In-Home Assistance, Food and Nutrition Services, Staying Healthy, Staying Safe, Helping PeopleWho Care for Others, and Guiding People Through the Grieving Process. Students reviewed resource guides from other cities, as well as contacted local community organizations to develop a resource guide that includes information about Peoria’s Community Center, its programming, and resources regarding housing, food assistance, and transportation.