1 Livable Communities: Opportunities for Successful Aging Elinor Ginzler, Senior Vice President Livable Communities November 11, 2009

2 AARP Social Impact Agenda People 50+ will have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable for them and for society as a whole.

3 AARP’s Definition of a Livable Community A livable community is one that has affordable and appropriate housing, supportive community features and services, adequate mobility options, which together facilitate personal independence and the engagement of residents in civic and social life.

4 “What I’d really like to do is remain in my local community for as long as possible.” Source: AARP State of 50+ America Survey, October 2005 Age category: 50+ Base=910

5 Do Communities Support Successful Aging? The question is not “where will people move” but rather “as we grow older, will our community be ready for us, and will our housing support us?” Can we age successfully in our home and community?

6 Elements of a Livable Community Affordable and appropriate housing options Supportive community features and services Adequate mobility options Personal independence is facilitated Residents are engaged in civic and social life

7 “What I’d really like to do is remain in my home for as long as possible.” Source: AARP State of 50+ America Survey, October 2005 Age category: 50+ Base=910

8 Boomers are not as different as we might think:  79% want to stay in their homes for as long as possible  85% think it is likely they will be able to stay  Changes to their living situation: 59% will move to a home all on one level 34% will move closer to family/friends 18% will move to retirement community 12% will move IN with family/friends Omnibus Survey AARP, September 2008

9 AARP Policies for Aging in Place Livable Communities Principle: Safe, decent housing that promotes independence and aging in place through home modification and repair…(through principles such as universal design, visitability and energy efficiency), and the use of innovative home products. Specific policies that: Promote visitability features in government-funded housing and visitability ordinances Building codes should be required to include universal design.

10 Why are UD and Visitability important? “Accessible housing increases housing opportunities and choices for the elderly and persons with physical disabilities, and enhances convenience for non- disabled persons and children.” “As the population trends toward an older demographic, visitability and universal design will increase in importance.” Source: American Planning Association Policy Guide on Housing

11 Courtesy Charlotte DOT UD Features

12 Courtesy Charlotte DOT UD Entryways

13 Courtesy Charlotte DOT UD Baths and Kitchens

14 Courtesy Charlotte DOT UD Kitchen

15 Courtesy Charlotte DOT UD Bath

16 Courtesy Charlotte DOT UD Entryway

17 AARP Housing Policy promotes: The creation and preservation of affordable housing that meet the needs of an aging population Mixed-use development and locating housing within easy walking distance of shopping, recreation, public transportation, and services; Housing design that allows aging-in-place: Universal Design and Visitability

18 Affordable Housing Options…

19 Our Communities are Unprepared 54% of American communities do not have the policies, programs or services in place to promote the quality of life, community engagement, and independent living of older adults (N4A survey of 10K local governments). 2/3 of planners and engineers have not yet begun considering the needs of older users in the multi-modal planning (AARP Public Policy Institute/ITE online survey of more than 1K planners & engineers, 2008).

20 Less than 1/3 of the 80 Complete Streets policies explicitly address the needs of older road users (AARP Public Policy Institute, 2009) “Complete streets are safer and more user-friendly for everyone and help people of all ages and abilities stay safely connected to their communities.” AARP Continued…

21 Older Adults Report Inhospitable Roads 40% say they do not have adequate sidewalks in their neighborhoods 47% say they cannot cross their main roads safely 54% of those living in inhospitable neighborhoods said they would walk and ride more often if conditions improved The majority support adoption of CS policies, with 56% expressing strong support International Communications Research Poll for AARP, 1,000 adults age 50+, July 2008

22 Mobility Options…

23 Older Driver / Pedestrian Safety

24 Community Assessment 1.How would you grade your community for having well- run community centers, recreation centers, parks, and other places where older people can socialize? 2.How would you grade your community for having convenient places for you to participate in public meetings and events? 3.How would your grade your community for having ample opportunities to become a volunteer? 4.How would you grade your community for having dependable public transportation that you would use to get to the places you would like to go?

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30 5.How would you grade your community for having safe, well-designed sidewalks that can take you where you want to go? 6.How would you grade your community for having roads designed for safe driving, with clear and unambiguous signage, traffic stops and pedestrian crosswalks? 7.If you had difficulty walking or driving, how would you grade your community for having safe and convenient transportation options available to you, such as rides from friends or family or public transportation? Assessment Continued…

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34 Longevity Paradox “Having invested so much to get people to live longer, we’ve barely given any thought to how we can help them to live better.” ~Joe Coughlin, MIT AgeLab

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36 For More Information on Livable Communities visit: or direct link