Sam’s Plans: Supporting Senior Citizens in Key West
Our senior citizens helped build this community. They deserve dignity, respect, support, and a city that works for them.
Too many seniors in Key West struggle with healthcare access, transportation, housing, rising costs, and social isolation. We need to do a better job working together as a community to support the people who spent their lives contributing to Key West.
Healthcare is one of the biggest concerns facing our seniors. Improving our local hospital and healthcare system must remain a priority. Seniors and their families should not constantly be forced to leave the island for basic services and care. I have worked for years on the effort to transition to the next local hospital operator, and I will continue working to help ensure the best possible quality healthcare for our community, especially for our seniors.
We also need to work toward reestablishing a senior citizen community center in Key West. Seniors deserve a safe and welcoming place to gather, socialize, attend educational programs, access services, participate in activities, and connect with healthcare and nonprofit providers. A strong senior center improves quality of life and helps reduce isolation and loneliness.
I also strongly opposed the closing of the last assisted living facility at Poinciana Gardens. The loss of that facility created major hardships for local families who are now too often forced to seek placements on the mainland away from loved ones, support systems, and their community.
Transportation remains another major issue for seniors. Key West Rides, bus services, and transportation programs should work better for seniors needing reliable transportation to medical appointments, shopping, pharmacies, and daily activities.
There is tremendous opportunity for the City to work collaboratively with Monroe County, nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, churches, and community groups to improve services and support systems for seniors.
This is one of the main reasons Julia and I volunteer each week with the Cooking with Love program delivering hot meals to more than 250 people in our community every Saturday. Staying connected to people and understanding the challenges families face is important to us.
Here’s what I believe we need to do:
Create a Senior Citizen Advisory Committee reporting directly to the Mayor
Improve local healthcare services and support a stronger hospital system
Work toward reopening a senior community center
Improve transportation access for seniors
Support more senior housing and assisted living options
Increase coordination with nonprofits and service providers
Improve access to healthcare referrals and support services
Support programs that reduce isolation and improve quality of life
Make City Hall more responsive to seniors and their families
Improve accessibility, sidewalks, crossings, and public spaces
Provide better public information about available senior services
This is not complicated. A community is judged by how it treats its seniors. Key West should be a city where people can age with dignity, remain connected to their community, and continue living safely and comfortably in the place they call home.
Sam Kaufman Candidate for Mayor
