The city of Los Angeles is committing to a future where the needs of older adults are more carefully considered in the building of infrastructure, the planning of programs and the making of policy.

Purposeful Aging L.A. – the seventeenth Executive Directive of Mayor Eric Garcetti’s administration – requires city departments to thoroughly assess the needs of older adults and directs them to engage seniors in developing strategies that will ensure a safer and more prosperous, livable and well-run city for Angelenos of all ages.

“Everyone in our dynamic and diverse city contributes to making Los Angeles an incredible place to live, work and raise a family,” Garcetti said. “That’s why today, we commit ourselves to better understanding and meeting the needs of older Angelenos – a growing population that deserves our attention and respect. I have directed our departments to explicitly consider older Angelenos as they develop their policies and programs. That means we are now increasingly factoring in impaired physical mobility and diminished sensory awareness, as well as accounting for economic limitations. The city of Los Angeles stands united, as we work to create an environment where people of all ages can thrive.”

L.A.’s older adult population is expected to grow dramatically in the coming years. In Los Angeles County, the number of adults 65 and older is expected to nearly double to more than 2.1 million by 2030. There are about a half-million residents age 60 and older in the city of Los Angeles — a number that is expected to increase by 50 percent over the next two decades.

“A large majority of older adults wish to remain in their homes and communities as they age,” said Councilman David Ryu. “It is imperative that the city of Los Angeles continues to enact transportation, housing, civic participation, employment and emergency preparedness policies that will support residents during the aging process. [This] announcement will ultimately provide greater access to care, services, and support which will enable older adults to continue to live in the places they call home.”