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Clark County Commission on Aging updates council on aging‑readiness plan and emergency preparedness focus
Summary
Ken Lund of the Clark County Commission on Aging briefed the council Aug. 4 on the county’s Aging Readiness Plan (updated 2023) and 2024 work focused on emergency preparedness for older adults. He highlighted demographic trends, the plan’s goals and strategies, and resources including CRESA’s Prepare for a Year guidance.
Ken Lund, representing the Clark County Commission on Aging, presented the commission’s annual update on Aug. 4, describing the county’s Aging Readiness Plan, outreach efforts and the commission’s 2024 focus on emergency preparedness for older adults.
What the plan covers. Lund said Clark County’s updated Aging Readiness Plan (adopted Sept. 2023) contains five chapters—healthy communities, housing, mobility, civic involvement and emergency preparedness—and 18 goals implemented through 67 strategies. Lund said the plan advises policy, infrastructure and service changes to help older adults age in place and improve access to food, parks, transit and social supports.
Emergency preparedness emphasis. Lund said the commission devoted much of 2024 to older‑adult emergency preparedness, partnering with CRESA (Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency) and inviting experts to regular commission meetings to cover topics such as assembling go bags, communications plans, mobility challenges and identifying socially isolated residents. He encouraged councilmembers and staff to consult CRESA’s “Prepare for a Year” guidance and noted the commission’s work to publish senior‑specific preparedness resources on cresa.911.org.
Why it matters. Lund highlighted demographic shifts, saying the county expects a substantial increase in residents aged 60 or older and urging earlier planning for services, housing and emergency response. He noted the plan received the Governor’s Smart Communities award in 2024 for effective growth management implementation.
Other commission activity. Lund described the Silver Citizens award that recognizes older residents for community service; the 2024 co‑winners included Battle Ground resident Bev Jones and Vancouver resident Larry Smith. He also noted the commission’s outreach to neighborhood associations, advisory groups and area agencies to promote aging‑friendly practices.
Council response. Councilmembers thanked Lund for the presentation and asked about local data and contacts for emergency planning; Lund offered to connect staff with data sources and recommended CRESA’s liaison, Jody Blackwell, for emergency planning coordination.
No action was taken Aug. 4; the presentation was informational.
