SENIORS

 Older adults are a valued asset when it comes to maintaining our quality of life, and we must continue to strive to make Oakland County a retirement destination of choice, and a community that supports seniors to age in place. 

• With a rapidly aging population, Commissioner Nelson established the Healthy Aging Ad Hoc Committee to develop a strategy for an age-friendly County.
• Since 2015, the Oakland County senior population has been greater than our population of children, and that trend is projected to continue through 2045.

• The Healthy Aging Ad Hoc Committee in collaboration with AAA 1-B, developed a blueprint for creating age-friendly communities while identifying unmet needs and gaps in current services. This Blueprint provides a roadmap for the county and other stakeholders to move our community response forward with a broad set of recommended actions to improve the overall quality of life for all Oakland County seniors.
• Oakland County Blueprint for Successful Aging: https://www.oakgov.com/home/showpublisheddocument/15531/638131791970000000
• Oakland County received 2021 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award
• Media Links:

1. https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2022/01/15/oakland-county-creates-roadmap-for-aging-better/
2. https://oaklandcounty115.com/2021/12/13/blueprint-for-successful-aging-report-shows-needs-of-oakland-county-seniors/
3. https://www.naco.org/resources/award-programs/blueprint-successful-aging
4. https://www.legalnews.com/Home/Articles?DataId=1503092

•  The initiatives are results of the award-winning Blueprint for Successful Aging, and were recommended by the Oakland County Healthy Aging Ad Hoc Committee. 
• $5M in funding opportunities for Oakland County senior centers for capital, technology, infrastructure, equipment improvements and/or professional development
• $3M for the development of a senior chore and home repair program
• $500K designated for communication and direct mail outreach to all Oakland County senior households.
• $50K for supporting senior volunteers 
• $5K for reinstating The Elderly Abuse Prevention Coalition 
• Media Links:

1. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2022/09/02/oakland-county-sets-asides-8-5-million-senior-initiatives/7973969001/
2. https://orionontv.org/2022/10/effort-to-secure-8-5-million-to-support-older-adults/
3. https://www.oakgov.com/Home/Components/News/News/1180/1760

Keeping safe and healthy came at the high cost of isolation and loneliness for many Oakland County seniors during the global pandemic. As we physically isolated ourselves, the need for social connection with family and friends during these challenging was more important than ever.

• Knowing there is no one-size-fits-all solution for combating social isolation and loneliness, Commissioner Nelson established the taskforce to understand and address social isolation and loneliness among the county’s senior population.
•  Solutions included improving access to and training for the internet and smartphones, improving access to mental health care, screening and wellness visits, enhancing virtual socialization, distance learning and enrichment opportunities, and increasing public awareness.
• Media Links:

1. https://www.naco.org/articles/counties-step-mental-health-services
2. https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2020/05/08/task-force-created-to-help-reduce-isolation-among-seniors-during-covid-19-crisis/

• The program originated with ideas from the Oakland County Task Force on COVID-19 Impact on Seniors’ Social Isolation, Loneliness and Health, and aims to reduce isolation among Oakland County’s older adults by using touchless technology to stay connected with friends and families throughout the global pandemic. 
• The Task Force awarded a $120,000 grant to American House Senior Living Communities for the Oakland Together Lifeline Program. This program expanded access to technology to a targeted audience of older adults living in senior living facilities in Oakland County. 
• 100 Amazon Echo Show devices were distributed with one-year prepaid mobile hotspot, unlimited data plans, and direct support and training on how to use the devices.. The devices can be used for video calling, accessing the internet and many other useful features necessary in an information age. 
• Oakland County received 2021 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award
• Media Links:

1. https://www.legalnews.com/Home/Articles?DataId=1501420
2. https://www.naco.org/resources/award-programs/oakland-together-lifeline

•  After discovering Oakland County restaurant inspection reports were only available to members of the public if they submitted a Freedom of Information Act request, Commissioner Nelson introduced a resolution to change this policy.
• This new policy was adopted unanimously with bipartisan support, and all Oakland County restaurant and food safety inspection reports are available online in a free, searchable database. 
• Searchable Restaurant and food safety inspection reports: https://swordsolutions.com/inspections/
• Media Links:

1.  https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2020/06/21/oakland-county-restaurant-health-inspection-reports-now-available-online/
2. https://legalnews.com/Home/Articles?DataId=1489161

• After meeting with constituents who expressed water safety concerns on our lakes, Commissioner Nelson brought forward a Resolution establishing a program to increase marine safety patrols on Oakland County Lakes. 
• Media Link:

1. https://www.candgnews.com/news/marine-safety-patrols-increase-this-summer-on-oakland-county-lakes-242

•  Commissioner Nelson has supported over $47M in funding to aid school professionals, students and their families with mental health resources, learning loss, and basic needs, in addition to assisting with mental health and behavioral health copays and deductibles for underinsured individuals.
• Media Links:

1. -https://www.candgnews.com/news/oakland-county-rolls-out-15m-program-for-student-mental-health-180
2. https://oaklandcounty115.com/2022/02/03/ochn-adds-two-new-mental-health-programs-to-help-families/
3. https://www.oaklandchn.org/DocumentCenter/View/1126/School-Mental-Health-Navigator-Flyer
4. https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/oakland-county-announces-new-grant-program-that-aims-to-help-students-struggling-with-mental-health

The prosperity of our region depends on the quality of our lakes, rivers, and streams. Investing in invasive species prevention directly impacts our environment, water quality, home values, and outdoor recreation. 

• Commissioner Nelson established the Special Committee of Invasive Species Prevention to increase public awareness to protect and preserve our land and water from the spread of introduction of invasive species 

•  The program originated with ideas from the Special Committee of Invasive Species Prevention and aims to prevent the spread and introduction of aquatic invasive species in our lakes, rivers, and streams. 
• Established the "Clean, Drain, Dry, Dispose (CD3) to raise awareness about the dangers of aquatic invasive species and to educate residents about how to help prevent the spread and introduction of these species in Oakland County waters. 
• In partnership with Oakland County Parks, Oakland County purchased two self-service, water-less, solar-powered, mobile boat cleaning stations that will travel to high-use Oakland County boat launch sites between May and August.
•  These free stations give users the tools to clean, drain and dry their watercraft, and to dispose of any living organisms (plant or animal) that may be clinging to the crafts.
• Oakland County received 2021 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award
• Media Links:
• https://www.facebook.com/share/v/45r2hFjPdwR3P1sv/

1. https://oaklandcounty115.com/2020/10/08/oakland-county-adds-boat-cleaning-stations-to-prevent-spread-of-invasive-species/
2. https://www.naco.org/resources/award-programs/oakland-county-clean-drain-dry-dispose-pilot-program

Native plants provide essential habitats and food sources for local wildlife, including birds, butterflies and pollinators, contributing to biodiversity conservation. Native plants can also help reduce the spread and introduction of invasive species, decrease stormwater runoff, sequester carbon, and they do not require the fertilizers and care that non-native plants require.

•  The program originated with ideas from the Special Committee of Invasive Species Prevention and aims to teach residents about the importance and benefits of native plants to our ecosystem, and increase the number of native plants throughout the county.
•  Pre-assembled kits of plants that are native to Michigan and grown by a local plant nursery, were given to Oakland County residents.  
• Oakland County received 2021 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award
• Media Links:

1. https://legalnews.com/Home/Articles?DataId=1499231
2. https://oaklandcountyblog.com/2020/11/02/oakland-county-board-promotes-use-of-native-plants-in-home-gardens/
3. https://www.wxyz.com/news/oakland-county-offering-native-plant-kits-for-residents-to-expand-gardens
4. https://www.naco.org/resources/award-programs/oakland-county-native-plants-initiative

We have a responsibility to educate residents and work to catalyze climate emergency mobilization efforts at the local, state, national, and global levels to provide maximum protection for our residents, and all people and species of the world.

• In 2019, Commissioner Nelson introduced a Resolution "Acknowledging a Climate Emergency and Creating an Energy and Environment Infrastructure Plan". 
• Since the adoption of the Resolution, Oakland County hired the first chief environmental sustainability officer and has developed a county-wide  environmental sustainability plan that includes a plan for reducing the carbon footprint of Oakland County facilities and fleet, and preserving and enhancing natural assets across Oakland County.
• Media Links:

1. https://www.sierraclub.org/articles/2021/05/how-oakland-county-went-one-michigan-s-most-reactionary-counties-one-its-climate
2. https://www.dailytribune.com/2019/12/06/commissioners-ramping-up-efforts-to-reduce-oakland-countys-impact-on-climate-change/
3. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b4a34afb87714feda4ce2bafabad2a47