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Adopt and present a resolution proclaiming the week of September 22-28, 2019 as Centenarian Week in Solano County
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The County Administrator’s Office and Department of Health and Social Services, in partnership with the Senior Coalition of Solano County, recommends that the Board to adopt and present a resolution proclaiming the week of September 22-28, 2019 as Centenarian Week in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
This year will mark the 13th Annual Centenarian Commemoration in Solano County. The Centenarian Commemoration is designed to honor and pay tribute to individuals who have reached 100 years of age or older.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
To date, the Board of Supervisors has honored 170 centenarians, the oldest of them, Marie West, reached super-centenarian status in January 2011.
According to the Boston University School of Medicine New England Centenarian Study, centenarians are remarkable examples of healthy aging. Centenarians come from all walks of life. They have different educational, socioeconomic, and religious backgrounds and they are of different ethnicities and live in regions all over the globe. However, they do share some of the following characteristics associated with healthy aging:
1) They generally do not smoke,
2) They remain active and engaged with their families and the community either through extended working, volunteer work, and contributing to the household throughout their later years,
3) They stay physically strong through exercise and physical activity,
4) They maintain a healthy diet, tend to be thin, and
5) They are better able to handle stress.
While genetics play a role in longevity with 20-30% of longevity attributed to genetic factors, environmental factors (e.g., lifestyle choices) account for 70-80% of longevity. The majority of centenarians are women (85% compared to 15% of men); Super-centenarians (those who are 110 years old or older) occur at a rate of about 1 per 7 million with estimated 60-70 super-centenarians in the U.S.
A longitudinal study conducted by the University of Georgia found that contrary to the general belief that the most elderly are frail and living in nursing homes, “20 to 25% of centenarians are community-dwelling, cognitively intact, and generally vibrant and full of life.” Those who are in need of daily assistance, according to another study are cared for by their families. Estimates state that about 80 percent of what is considered long-term care, including personal care and care for chronic illness, is being provided from within the family, usually by the women.
Centenarians have defied life expectancy projections by at least 20 years. They hold the keys to longevity and quality of life. As an aging society we have much to learn from them. Centenarians serve as a guiding light and example of aging with dignity. Their contributions to the understanding of the aging process and how to age with self-respect and pride are laudable and worthy of recognition.
A reception for the centenarians outside of the Board Chambers will follow the presentation.
2019 Centenarians:
The following are the 2019 Solano County Centenarian honorees. These 54 individuals will be recognized, either in person or by mention at the September 24, 2019 Centenarian Commemoration with the Board of Supervisors.
From the City of Benicia
Peter Caggiano, age 99 (turning 100 in December)
From the City of Fairfield
Viola Josey, age 100
Teruo “Ted” Miyagishima, age 100
Virginia Noordyk, age 100
Dorothy Hines, age 100
Charles “Charlie” Parsons, age 100
Eddie Mae Crummie, age 100
Lois Dittmer, age 100
Richard Marsch, age 100
Stanley Emerson, age 100
Linda Vasey, age 101
Mildred Healy, age 101
Irene Bruce, age 100
Charles Micks Gilbert, age 102
Lois Smylie Monez, age 102
Maria Galang, age 102
LaVonne Eyres, age 102
Robert “Sully” Sullivan, age 103
Dorothy Daviner, age 103
Ferril Mulock, age 101
Hazel Booher, age 104
Ellen Lipp, age 99, (turning 100 in October)
From Rio Vista
Rose Blackburn, age 100
Luis Castro, age 101
From Suisun City
Delois “Lois” Brasher, age 100
Tillie Golden, age 102
Lucy Higgs, age 107 (turning 108 in October)
From the City of Vacaville
Ada Dito, age 99 (turning 100 in October)
Ed Dillion, age 100
Virginia Schmid, age 99 (turning 100 in November)
Eva Hoekman, age 100
Cyril O’Neil, age 100
Julia Rico, age 100
Marian Bowen, age 100
Bernice Raemer, age 100
Elizabeth Freeman, age 100 (turning 101 in October)
Leona Elledge, age 101
William Oakes, age 101
Hazel Walters, age 101
Marge Bors, age 101 (turning 102 in November)
Valerie Rowden, age 102
Bruce Sooy, age 102
Gerald Simoni, age 102
Barbara Wilkins, age 104
Dorothy Pennycott, age 104
Perle Williams, age 106
From the City of Vallejo
Ollie “Jack” Wallin, age 101
John F. Turk, age 100
Gertrude Calit, age 101
Rachel Brautigan, age 101
Robert “Bob” Daine, age 102
Navarre Marshall, age 102
Ruth Marcacci, age 103
Valerie Haycock, age 107
Reta Wills, age 108
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt and present the resolution. This is not recommended because centenarians are part of the fastest growing segment of the population and have helped shape our nation as it is today. They hold the secrets to aging well and serve as a role model for quality of life for all ages.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Administrator’s Office, Health and Social Services and the Solano County Senior Coalition
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION