The Aging in Place Movement

Do you want to stay where you are as you age. You are not alone. According to Carisa Chapell of the Washington Times, the AARP estimates that up to 89% of seniors want to stay in their community as opposed to moving to retirement in Florida, California or Arizona. There is now more help than ever to help individuals change their homes as they age and communities become more senior-friendly.

The Aging in Place movement has taken several approaches to reaching the dual goals of making communities livable for seniors as they age and giving seniors the personal support system that will make their independent living in place possible. Communities are coming together to determine how community residents can support each other as they age. In some communities, this is a loosely organized volunteer network that is available for seniors as they identify needs, be they shoveling the snow or getting to the doctor. In other places it is a created living community addressing the needs of all ages.

Actions are taken on both the individual and community level when planning for aging in Place. Individual actions include taking stock of what you have and how you need to change in order to remain where you are. There are now specialists who can help make you decide what is best. The National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Council has a specialist program which trains personnel to review living conditions and address the needs of the homes occupants.

Community actions are as important, as they address the social and community needs of the elderly citizens. The non-profit Partners for Livable Communities has in place together with their partner The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, an Aging in Place initiative that provides resources, workshops and grants to communities as they grapple with planning for the needs of aging citizens. According to Bob McNulty, President of Livable Communities "A community that does not adjust to the changing demographics of age so that all of its citizens have access and opportunity for full participation in the civic, economic, social, and political lives of their community, is not livable in today's world. Aging in Place and rethinking your community's access is not a healthcare agenda, it is a livable community necessity. "

Partners for Livable Communities describes Aging in Place Communities that are actively addressing this issue with community supports and living arrangements range from California to Florida, Maryland and New York.

Sources:

http://www.nw.org/Network/comstrat/agingInPlace/documents/agingInPlaceFAQ_000.pdfAuthor/

Partners for Livable Places

Aging in Place initiative 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions

National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Council

http://www.nahb.org/page.aspx/category/sectionID=686

Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (Caps)

http://bulletin.aarp.org/states/dc/articles/cover_story_boomers_power_up_by_aging_in_place.html

Author, Carisa Chappell, Washington Times | January 30, 2009Cover story: Boomers power up by aging in place