Age Friendly Half Moon Bay Coastside unveils three‑year action plan accepted by AARP

Representatives of Age Friendly Half Moon Bay Coastside presented an update and the newly accepted three‑year action plan to the City Council on March 4.

Sandy Winter, executive director of Senior Cosiders and co‑leader of the Age Friendly initiative, explained the program’s origin with the World Health Organization model, now managed in the U.S. by AARP. The initiative covers the entire coastside from Montara to Pescadero and convenes city staff, nonprofits and residents to improve livability across eight domains such as transportation, health care access, civic participation and housing information.

Winter said the initiative’s first two years produced a seniors page in the Half Moon Bay Review, cross‑posting and collaboration with nonprofit partners, a housing resource fair, coordinated outreach to Spanish and Chinese speakers and advocacy that helped improve healthcare access on the coast, including support for the Dignity Health urgent treatment center. The city submitted an initial plan in March 2022; AARP accepted the current three‑year action plan on January 2025.

Goals for 2025–27 include: 1) business recognition and staff training to be more age friendly; 2) continuing senior housing information and transportation coordination; 3) health‑care access advocacy; and 4) training older adults to advocate for themselves. Winter noted the initiative’s broad partnership roster and emphasized outreach to diverse community groups.

Councilors asked about Chamber of Commerce involvement and promotion of the urgent‑care pilot; Winter said the Chamber has been consulted and Age Friendly partners are actively promoting use of the clinic to sustain the pilot. Council expressed appreciation for the program’s community work and encouraged continued partnership.