Inglewood council approves one‑year Blue Zone pilot at senior center to reduce falls
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Summary
The council approved a one‑year Blue Zone pilot at the Inglewood Senior Center to identify fall risk, provide assessments and twice‑weekly training, and track outcomes; the program carries a first‑year budget of $314,000 with partners supplying nearly $280,000 in equipment in‑kind.
Inglewood’s City Council approved a one‑year Blue Zone pilot program aimed at reducing fall‑related injuries among older residents.
The initiative, introduced by Mayor James T. Butts Jr., funds baseline assessments, twice‑weekly neuromotor and strength training, monthly retesting and data tracking at the Inglewood Senior Center. Councilmembers moved and seconded the measure and, on roll call, Councilmember Padilla, Councilmember Morales, Councilmember Falk and Mayor Butts recorded 'Aye' as the motion passed.
Dr. Malcolm Jones, a physiologist who said he works at the University of Southern California, presented the evidence behind the proposal and described the Blue Zone pilot as an ‘‘evidence‑based community‑driven initiative’’ to lower fall risk and improve mobility. He told the council, "Falls are predictable, measurable, and preventable," and argued early screening and targeted training can reduce injuries that lead to hospitalization and loss of independence.
The pilot schedule described to councilmembers calls for baseline assessments starting February 3, an initial training session on February 5, twice‑weekly training at the senior center and monthly retesting on the first Tuesday of each month. Dr. Jones said clinical oversight will be provided (named clinical oversight by Dr. Jeff Reif) and that training delivery will be led by Sun Li. Private and industry partners named in the presentation include Embody, Reaxing and InBody, whose technology and training tools will be used in the program.
Dr. Jones told the council the program’s first‑year cost is $314,000, which he said covers staffing, assessments, training sessions, equipment setup and data tracking. He added that partners had provided nearly $280,000 worth of equipment at no cost to the city. The presentation framed that cost against national estimates of spending tied to preventable falls.
Supporters from the senior community spoke during public comment. Patricia Patrick, who identified herself as a 45‑year resident and member of the Senior Center Advisory Council, praised the senior center and the new equipment, stating, "It is truly the best in the California area, and I venture to say, in the country." Another regular attendee, Arvest Briggs, also voiced thanks and support for the program and the center’s meals.
Mayor Butts and councilmembers praised the proposal and framed it as part of a broader push for services, with the mayor listing a series of city investments in education, libraries and the senior center during remarks after the vote.
Votes at a glance • CI‑1: Inglewood Senior Center Blue Zone pilot (one‑year pilot starting in March per the staff presentation): motion passed; recorded votes — Padilla: Aye; Morales: Aye; Falk: Aye; Mayor Butts: Aye. • PH‑1 (Event zone ordinance for FIFA World Cup and related events): public hearing continued to 2026‑01‑27 at 2:00 p.m. • Approval of minutes (October 7, October 14 and October 21, 2025): approved on the consent calendar (recorded ayes by Padilla, Morales, Falk, Mayor Butts). • Consent calendar items 2–8: approved (recorded ayes as above). • CSA‑4: Successor agency resolution approving the 07/01/2026–06/30/2027 recognized obligation payment schedule: adopted by successor agency members (recorded ayes by Padilla, Morales, Falk, Chairman Butts).
What the approval means and next steps The council’s action authorizes the one‑year pilot as described in the presentation; the program team will begin baseline assessments in early February and deliver regular training through the year, with the intention of measuring fall risk, mobility and participation outcomes. The presentation indicated equipment and technical partners are already lined up; the transcript does not specify the city’s exact share of the cost beyond the $314,000 first‑year budget figure or the city funding source for the pilot.
The city retained the public hearing on the proposed event‑zone ordinance for a later date; other routine administrative items, minutes and successor agency financial schedule were approved during the same meeting.
