On any given Sunday, the City of Beverly Hills promotes cultural and community programs which are supported by the tax dollars of all of its citizens. However, those of us who are among the growing number of frail elderly and disabled residents, often cannot avail ourselves of these community benefits. That is, unless the City Council decides to make our inclusion a high priority.

According to City manager Mark Scott, the increasing number of elderly residents may now make up as much as 50% of Beverly Hills’ population. Yet, the City is still offering programs as if everyone is able-bodied.

Many of us have hidden disabilities. We may be able to walk only a very short distance, but are not yet in wheelchairs. All that may be needed, for some of us to participate too, is for the City to also run its shuttle service on Sundays. And, for the City to provide battery-operated golf-carts or electric wheelchairs at its events, as are now available for use at surrounding Ralphs, Pavillions, Gelson’s and Whole Foods markets.

That way, many more of us could attend the weekly Farmers Market, go along on the City’s “Art Walk,” visit the semi-annual “Affaire in the Garden” and other events enjoyed by the able-bodied among us.

Many types of disabilities are afflicting our aging residents. For instance, osteoarthritis, is the second most common cause of disability in the country. It now affects 23 million Americans and more are joining the ranks, every day.

Many of our seniors are living on fixed or declining incomes. Unless one is well-to-do and has someone to drive them to their specific destination, they are more than likely to stay shut in and shut out of community activities. This kind of social isolation and diminished quality of life, can lead to depression which often further impairs one’s health.

My dear, late, stepmother was confined to a wheelchair by Parkinson’s Disease. Her attendant used to wheel her a few blocks from her apartment to the Farmers Market each Sunday.

It was one of the highlights of her week. It was a form of socialization which she greatly enjoyed, as due to age, most of her contemporaries were no longer able to get together with her.

I too used to love to go to the Farmers Market. Especially this time of year when the very best, most fragrant, tasty and succulent strawberries are available. I also used to look forward to buying a sumptuous loaf of 9-grain bread, not available elsewhere in this area. And, the bronze oak lettuce there is crisp, delicious and long-lasting. Not only that, but I enjoyed chatting with old acquaintances and the serendipity of meeting other members of the community.

The problem is that my agility, and that of so many more of our aging residents, has been severely impaired. Walking from the nearest available parking space may be further than I can manage.

But as our mayor has said, “It is the community’s responsibility to serve everyone.” Her recent issuing of a proclamation for Older Americans’ Recognition Month should now be followed up with a new civic consciousness of comprehensively serving older and other disabled residents of our City.

For example, seniors are often reluctant to drive at night. But Neighborhood Watch meetings at the BHPD headquarters and Citizen Emergency Response Training (CERT) classes are only given after dark. Many seniors would like to testify before the City Council and might gladly do so, if permitted to speak at the afternoon study session.

Removing these barriers requires nothing more than awareness and concern on the part of the Council and City departments.

Consideration for those of us with failing sight has been generously addressed by resident Betty Harris’ establishing one of the most extensive large-print book collections in the West. This is at the Beverly Hills Public Library, which also has an important selection of audio books.

It may be that the City’s new Human Relations Commission should hold joint hearings with the Recreation & Parks Commission on how all of our citizens can best be served, no matter their age or physical abilities.

Ellen Stern Harris
Executive Director,
Fund for The Environment 
Editor of www.BeverlyHillsCitizen.org
P.O. Box 228 / Beverly Hills, CA 90213