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Adopt and present a resolution and receive a video proclaiming the week of October 4-10, 2020 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, in coordination with the Senior Coalition of Solano County, recommends that the Board to adopt and present a resolution proclaiming the week of October 4-10, 2020 as Centenarian Week in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
This year will mark the 14th 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 FY2020/21 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2020/21 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
To date, the Board of Supervisors has honored more than 200 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.
This year, because of the Coronavirus pandemic health emergency, the Solano County Board of Supervisors will host a virtual celebration, honoring Solano County’s most senior residents with a video presentation, followed up later with the delivery of a Centenarian yearbook and resolutions from the Board and the County’s legislative delegation.
2020 Centenarians:
The following are the 2020 Solano County Centenarian honorees. These 49 individuals will be recognized by the Board, including:
From the City of Benicia
Peter Caggiano, age 100
From the City of Dixon
Jose Trinidad Reyes, age 100
From the City of Fairfield
Rosalind Faraday, age 99 (100 in December)
Robert Dittmer, age 99, (100 in November)
Gaylon Caldwell, age 100
Harry Carsch, age 100
Angelina Meredith, age 100
Charlotte Stack, age 100
Richard Betchley, age 100
Lois Fitzgerald, age 100
Marie De Laney, age 100
Serapio Cortes, age 100
Elsie Halsted, age 100
Mary Alice, age 100
Virginia Noordyk, age 101
Lois Dittmer, age 101
Dorothy Hines, age 101
Teruo (Ted) Miyagishima, age 101
Tsuyako (Grace) Miyagishima, age 100
Irene Bruce, age 102
Hazel Walters, age 102
Mildred Healy, age 102
LaVonne Eyres, age 103
Maria Luz Tobias Galang, age 103
Dorothy Daviner, age 103
Robert Sullivan, age 104
Hazel Booher, age 105
From Rio Vista
Katherine Donnelly, age 100
From Suisun City
Drucillia Cook, age 101
From the City of Vacaville
Janet Wilhart, age 99, (100 in November)
Red Moak, age 100
Euratee Draper, age 100
Elda Dehnbostel, age 100
Bernice Raemer, age 101
Cyril O’Neal, age 101
Stanley Emerson, age 101
Julia Rico, age 101
Guillermo Valasco, age 102
Marjorie Bors, age 102
Valerie Rowden, age 103
Jerry Simoni, age 103
Bruce Sooy, age 103
Dorothy Pennycot, age 105
From the City of Vallejo
Eileen George-Traynor, age 99 (100 in December)
Gwendolyn Morgan, age 100
Dometila Valentin, age 100
Lois-Evelyn Peais, age 100
Valerie Haycock, age 108
Reta Wills, age 109
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 and the Solano County Senior Coalition
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION