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THE ISSUE: Defining the Problem
Aging In Place: New
Steps to an aging issue
Defining the Problem
Housing
Transportation
Quality of Life
AGING IN PLACE: NEW STEPS TO AN AGING
ISSUE
While aging is a natural progression in life, the United
States has not braced itself for one of the fastest-growing
populations in the world. In ten years, nearly 10,000 people
will turn 65 each day. As millions of baby-boomers begin to
retire, the nation will witness a dramatic shift in economic
and social forces. A recent report to Congress by the Commission
on Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs for Seniors
in the 21st century has deemed the growing requests of the
increasing number of elderly Americans to be a ‘quiet
crisis.’ While the topic of aging has been a main agenda
within the professional aging lobbies, healthcare and the
elderly population, it has caught the attention of only a
few outside organizations. Partners For Livable Communities,
a non-profit, Washington DC-based organization views retrofitting
housing, transportation, and quality of life crucial to the
needs of burgeoning seniors. By the year 2030, 1 in 5, or
80 million Americans will be termed elderly. The U.S. will
be confronted with unprecedented demands on its already-strained
social services, appropriate housing issues and transportation
problems. While each community cannot be placed in a one-size-fits-all
aging model, it is imperative for community and regional cooperation
to take the initiative on this rising dilemma.
DEFINING THE PROBLEM
People are living longer in the United States. Advances in
medicine and health care, more in depth knowledge of healthy
lifestyles and an increase in environmental standards have
shaped longevity in humans. The consequences of a prolonged
life are multi-faceted. The issue of health care services
for elderly is selling a lot of attention. But as the senior
population rises, challenges in housing, transportation and
quality of life are also dramatically increasing.
Without a doubt, the senior aging process is filled with
many difficulties. Many barriers prevent older persons from
remaining a part of their community, and not enough emphasis
is placed on developing a realistic, workable strategy to
overcome these issues. The process of aging crosses racial,
jurisdictional, and socio-economic boundaries to reach millions
of people across the nation. The subject of aging eventually
affects everyone, becoming a sizeable quality of life issue.
HOUSING
There are many reasons for encouraging older persons to remain
in their own homes. The strongest argument being older adults
overwhelmingly report that they want to grow old in their
homes and communities. Another rationale is that providing
the necessary home and community supports and services that
enable older adults to age in place have shown to be the most
cost-effective model for aging. Nursing homes are not only
an expensive way of delivering services, but tend to propel
people into a system that may not require such intense care.
Although 89 percent of baby-boomers claim they want to grow
old in their own homes, many American communities cannot support
appropriate housing needs for seniors living in their own
homes. Ideally, seniors should be able to find housing that
best suits their particular situation. But too often, many
seniors go straight from their house to a nursing home or
assisted living care facility with few options in-between.
In 2001, there were 21.8 million households headed by persons
65 years or older. Of these, 80 percent were owners. Elderly
property owners face increasing maintenance over the need
to make modifications to their homes while their own health
and ability to cope with these issues is deteriorating. Retrofitting
homes for safety, to accommodate changing health needs, providing
medical and fitness programs and other kinds of support systems
are practical and effective measures for aging in place. Certain
home modifications are necessary based on individual health
and mobility, no matter where the home is located.
While many turn to increasing assisted living facilities
to solve the problem, they fail to see a structure of livability
that will benefit all groups and strengthen communities on
a broad level. This strategy would allow the elderly to live
at home longer, significantly increasing the diversity and
vitality of a neighborhood and allow elderly persons to have
more independence.
TRANSPORTATION
Communities must take into consideration transportation programs
that support a variety of people’s needs. While many
urban and metropolitan areas have several public transportation
options, the majority of public systems are not yet fully
integrated or have significant gaps in service and access.
Although many seniors still have a license, there will be
a time when they are unable to drive themselves and must change
their lifestyle to accommodate new developments.
According to an AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet "Transportation:
The Older Person’s Interest," the elderly use private
vehicles more than any other mode of transportation, traveling
as a passenger or a driver. Even in urban areas where public
transit is more accessible and less expensive, private vehicles
are still preferred by the majority of older people. Due to
convenience, comfort and accessibility, it is important for
able seniors to drive. Yet by continuing to focus on driving,
we are deliberately creating places with the built-in necessity
for driving, and thereby eliminating options.
When driving is not an option
Driving is not an option for nearly 7 million older Americans
aged 65 and older. Of these 7 million, individuals are more
likely to walk than take public transportation. Using this
information, communities must advocate walking and make mass
transit more appealing to this demographic. Issues of fear
for personal safety, inconvenience and difficulties in negotiating
the system are factors that deter the elderly from using public
transportation. Design issues can pertain to the specific
needs of the elderly, but take the entire community into account
as well. More benches at bus stops, additional street lighting,
increased signage and wider sidewalks can be designed for
seniors but ultimately benefit all community members, even
visitors.
QUALITY OF LIFE
With increasing discretionary income and time on their hands,
elders can contribute more than a friendly presence in the
community. Retired elders have invested significant time and
money into communities making them large economic generators.
Elders have given hours through volunteer activities such
as mentoring school children, providing childcare, and aiding
various public programs. Forty-five percent of people over
65 volunteer annually, donating 1.8 billion hours if their
rime and expertise worth $22.7 billion. By controlling the
majority of wealth in this country, seniors have supported
local arts and cultural programs through philanthropic donations,
boosted economic development in communities and regions and
donated billions of hours to community service.
Yet senior citizens can only contribute to economic development
if a broad-based community is understood. If seniors cannot
use public transportation or walk to the city center to eat
lunch and buy a book, or experience a play or lecture, they
cannot make as strong an impact. Leaders must see their community
through a holistic eye. If mixed housing is not an option,
transportation is limited and seniors are stuck in a nursing
home, there is a direct effect on the economic impact the
elderly will make.
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