Longevity in
Pomona Valley
For my year-long thesis, I'm designing for older adults in Pomona, CA—located in the state with the most seniors living in poverty—to promote happy and healthy aging through intergenerational community. This ongoing project includes my project proposal introducing my background research and a preliminary solution. Moving forward I will be completing the human centered design process to develop and implement the final solution.
Role
Designer
Project Type
Human Centered Design & Community Engagement
Timeframe
Ongoing
Longevity in Pomona Valley
Happy and healthy aging through intergenerational community
Olivera Senior Apartments
Lopez Urban Farm
Design Problem
As medicine advances, people are living longer and the elderly population is rapidly growing—by 2030, older adults will make up one-quarter of California's population. Current care systems will become unsustainable as there won't be enough younger caregivers. These institutions often isolate older adults, focusing on physical health while neglecting mental wellbeing. In Pomona, 90.4% of 65+ rely on Medicare, signaling critical need for better infrastructure and support.
To design for lasting, healthy aging, we must integrate older adults as valued members rather than burdens. This approach is informed by places where older generations thrive, such as the Blue Zones, where intergenerational community and holistic wellbeing are central to longevity. How might we design systems, spaces, and experiences in Pomona that integrate older people into everyday life while holistically prioritizing their wellbeing?
