Livable Communities: An Evaluation Guide - AARP and Updating the Livable Communities Evaluation...

Livable Communities:

An Evaluation Guide

M a r y K i h lD e a n B r e n n a n

N e h a G a b h a w a l aJ a c q u e l i n e L i s t

P a r u l M i t t a l

Prepared for the AARP Public Policy Institute

b y

A r i z o n a S t a t e U n i v e r s i t yHerberger Center for Design Excel lence

P r o j e c t T e a m

LivableCommunities:

An EvaluationGuide

© AARP 2005All Rights Reserved

AARPPublic Policy Institute

601 E Street NWWashington, DC 20049

Based on the earlier publication, Liveable Communities: An Evaluation Guide, by Patricia Baron Pollak, © AARP 2000

PROJECT TEAMThe project team for this updated Guide includes:

Mary Kihl, Professor of Planning Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

Dean Brennan, Principal Planner City of Phoenix, Arizona

Neha Gabhawala, Jacqueline List, and Parul Mittal were formergraduate students in the School of Planning, Arizona StateUniversity. They have all graduated and gone on to launchtheir careers in planning.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This Guide is a revision of the earlier Liveable Communities:An Evaluation Guide prepared by Patricia Baron Pollack ofCornell University. The earlier Guide has been widely used incommunities across the country and has provided the frame-work and context for this version of the Guide. The authors ofthe current Guide thank her for all her efforts

The authors wish to thank all those who took the time to partic-ipate in the October 2002 focus groups and those who respondedto the online survey. Their thoughtful contributions were essen-tial to completing this project.

Special thanks go to the dedicated and committed individualswho volunteered to organize focus groups in each of the 14 dif-ferent communities and who worked so diligently to ensure thatthe groups would be broadly representative of older adults’interests in their communities:

Denis Burnam, President Gowrie Development Commission – Gowrie, IowaSherry Carter Carter & Carter Associates – Sarasota, FloridaShawn Daley Renton Senior Activity Center – Renton, WashingtonMarty Hadley, Transportation CoordinatorMesa Community Center – Mesa, ArizonaKathleen Knight, Visiting Nurse Service of New YorkBorough Park, Bayridge, and Hempstead, New York

Robert Kortright Sun City Homeowners’ Association – Sun City, ArizonaCarol Lewiston Boone County Transportation – Boone, IowaSally MarvinSt. Petersburg Council on Aging – St. Petersburg, FloridaWilliam Rambo, Senior ResidentNorthport, New YorkWilliam Walker, Pebble Creek ResidentAARP volunteer – Pebble Creek, ArizonaCathy Wiederhold North Bellevue Community Center – Bellevue,WashingtonLisa Yeager Sno -Valley Senior Center – Carnation, Washington

The authors also wish to thank the staff of the HerbergerCenter for Design Excellence at Arizona State Universityfor their very special effort in editing and designing thisassessment guide: Robert Cao-Ba, AD/Graphic Designer;Rachel Mohler, Assistant Graphic Designer; JenniferFraser, Editor; and Sharon Haugen, Transcriber.

Thanks also to Andrew Kochera and Audrey Straight of theAARP Public Policy Institute who monitored and facili-tated this project and helped to forward the concept oflivable communities for older residents.

____________________________________________________

Interested in learning more about livable communities?Beyond 50.05, A Report to the Nation on LivableCommunities: Creating Environments for SuccessfulAging articulates a vision of livable communities for per-sons of all ages, and particularly for people age 50 andolder. The report presents AARP’s new agenda for exam-ining, building and retrofitting our communities to sup-port successful aging. For more, visit AARP's website atwww.aarp.org/beyond50

4More Information and Contacts 149

1 2TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Introduction 1

Introducing the Community Survey 7

The Community Survey 19

Transportation 21Survey Forms 27, 41

Walkability 47Survey Form 51

Safety and Security 61Survey Form 65

Shopping 73Survey Form 77

Housing 85Survey Form 95

Health Services 105Survey Form 111

Recreation and Cultural Activities 117Survey Form 125

Caring Community 133Survey Form 139

1INTRODUCTIONPART

We all want to live in a livable community. Each of ushas his or her own image of what such a communityshould look like. That image is shaped, in part, by ourreaction to the communities in which we now live or usedto live. For older residents, a livable community wouldinclude elements that help them to maintain independ-ence and quality of life.

The physical characteristics of a community often play amajor role in facilitating our personalindependence. A safe pedestrian environ-ment, easy access to grocery stores andother shops, a mix of housing types, andnearby health centers and recreationalfacilities are all important elements thatcan positively affect our daily lives.However, poor community design canmake it difficult for us to remain inde-pendent and involved in the communityaround us. For instance, a limited mix ofhousing types can be a challenge to agingwithin the same community; poorlymaintained sidewalks can be a personalsafety concern; and physical barriers,

such as busy highways and high walls, can divide andisolate communities.

The purpose of this Livable Communities EvaluationGuide is to encourage us to take a new look at the com-munity or neighborhood in which we now live. Althoughthis guide is written from the perspective of older per-sons, the features and services discussed promote livabil-ity for persons of all ages and abilities. The intent is notto "grade" or rank communities, but rather to help resi-dents identify areas where they can direct their energiestoward making their community more livable for them-selves and others. Livability will only become a reality inour individual communities and neighborhoods if citizensactively take charge and move to bring about keychanges.

LIVABLE COMMUNITIES:An Evaluation Guide

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A livable community is one that has affordable andappropriate housing, supportive community featuresand services, and adequate mobility options, whichtogether facilitate personal independence and theengagement of residents in civic and social life.

Creating and Updating the Livable CommunitiesEvaluation GuideIn 2000, AARP published Livable Communities: AnEvaluation Guide, prepared by Patricia Pollack ofCornell University, so that older volunteers and otherinterested community members could assess the capacityof their community to meet the needs ofolder adults. The survey proved to be a use-ful tool for community volunteers whowanted to take a closer look at their owncommunities as a starting point for mobiliz-ing others to effect change. This updatedGuide builds on the previous document butreflects additional interests and concerns.It also includes new success stories andoffers follow-up contact information andnew references, including references to use-ful Internet sites. Although Internet refer-ences to specific documents may changeover time, the basic sites will continue to beuseful. Older residents, as well as others inthe broader community, increasingly relyon the Internet as a valuable source ofinformation. For those who do not owntheir own computers, many senior centersand public libraries have computers avail-able for public access and offer computerclasses as well.

Involving Focus GroupsAn important part of creating this updated Guide wasthe active participation of older community residentsacross the country. In an effort to gain a broad aware-ness of current perceptions of livability and communityissues, a research team conducted 14 focus groups witholder residents and caregivers in 13 cities in five areas ofthe country. The communities included Sun City, PebbleCreek, and Mesa, Arizona; Boone and Gowrie, Iowa;Borough Park, Bayridge, Hempstead, and Northport,New York; Carnation, Renton, and Bellevue,Washington; and Sarasota and St. Petersburg, Florida.

Collectively, these groups were diverse in income, race,and ethnicity. They included participants from age-restricted and intergenerational communities as well ascommunities in rural, urban, and suburban areas. Thesecommunities ranged in population from less than 1,000to significantly more than one million residents. All par-


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ticipants were living independently, and most wereactively engaged in their communities. In addition tothese focus groups, the research team created an interac-tive website, which attracted responses from 80 older cit-izens from across the country.

Participants in each focus group were selected to repre-sent a range of interests and expertise in a given commu-nity. The participants themselves defined "community"in ways that reflected their own experiences. Somedefined community in terms of the formal geographicboundaries of a particular city or subdivision; othersdefined it in terms of a neighborhood or particular olderadult housing complex and nearby environs. Still otherssaw their community reaching out to include those whowere linked by common organizations and associations.

This type of variation is also anticipatedfrom those who will use this guide.

Defining Elements of LivabilityDespite their diverse mix of communitiesand participants, all of the focus groupsagreed on a common definition of a livablecommunity that is friendly to older adults-a caring community that offers a highquality of life and fosters continued inde-pendence. Each group independently devel-oped its own list of elements that partici-pants felt characterized an older adult-friendly community. The lists wereremarkably similar. They noted in particu-lar the importance of nearby quality healthfacilities, a reliable public transportationsystem, variety in housing types, a safeand secure environment, access to shop-ping, a physical environment that fosterswalking ("walkability"), and opportunitiesfor recreation and culture. Respondents tothe online survey identified very similar

areas of concern.

Each focus group then proceeded to conduct an initial on-the-spot community self-assessment to explore the waysin which its own community reflected its image of livabil-


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ity, noting areas that needed improvement. The elementsthat the groups identified as improving livability reflect-ed the participants' personal experience as well as theircollective perception of the community in which theylived. The Internet responders also underscored positiveaspects of their community and those that needed atten-tion.

Moving from Discussion to ActionSeveral of the focus groups actually began to plan anaction strategy to address issues thatthey had identified as needing attention.The agenda varied considerably depend-ing on the setting and the participants'experience. For example, topics of inter-est included advocating for more localdial-a-ride services, pressing for a seniorcenter in a forgotten part of the commu-nity, raising funds for a new intergener-ational center, facilitating better com-munication strategies among communi-ty groups, advocating for more accessi-bility options in new homes, and identi-fying ways to increase opportunities forsocial interaction.

The Guide as a Step toward ActionIt may be difficult for a small group to change a wholecommunity, but residents can draw attention to an issuethat is important to them and join forces with others whoshare similar concerns. Older volunteers in communitiesacross the nation have done exactly that. In one commu-nity, for example, an organized group of older adultspushed for installation of a pedestrian walk signal. Inanother community, a group organized to keep the localhospital from closing.

This Guide is intended to empower groups of older volun-teers to better understand their communities and workto improve them. It offers a series of community self-assessment surveys that will help groups to identifyissues of concern, and it provides contacts to whom vol-unteers can express those concerns. The issue areashighlighted in these surveys reflect concerns raised with-in the focus groups and the Internet website, as well asother suggestions based on experience. Individuals andgroups using this Guide are sure to identify additional


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issues for their communities. What is important is foreach group to select an issue that its members are deeplyconcerned about-and can do something about-and toaddress this challenge.

How to Use the GuidePart II, Introducing the Community Survey, providesgeneral information about the reasons why a group maywant to conduct a community survey; describes the gen-eral process for carrying out a survey, including anyadvance preparation tasks; and outlines a range of stepsthat groups can take to follow up on their findings.Before you begin a community survey process, read thissection carefully; it provides useful information thatapplies to all of the surveys.

Part III, Conducting the Community Survey, is dividedinto sections according to issue areas that groups ofactive older persons have identified as important tomaintaining independence and quality of life. Each sec-tion offers a description of livability as it relates to thatissue area, a survey to guide a new look at a communityor neighborhood, and a set of follow-up steps to addressthose issues.

Part IV, More Information and Contacts, identifies avariety of additional resources and sources of informa-tion.


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2INTRODUCING THE COMMUNITY SURVEY

PART

Why Conduct a Community Survey?Your group's motivations for conducting a survey mayvary. Perhaps you merely want to better understandyour community and what might make it more or lesslivable for older adults. Or you may have identified aspecific area of concern and want to find out more aboutit so that your group can begin to fix the problem.

Whatever your motivation, the surveys in this Guide canhelp you take a new look at your community and moveahead with a workable agenda that will help to furtherthe independence of older adults and enhance your com-munity's quality of life.

This introduction to the survey summarizes the surveyprocess and offers suggestions to help you prepare for,conduct, and follow up on any of the surveys found here.Additional information that is specific to individual issueareas can be found with those surveys in Part III.

Getting Started

Who Should Be Involved?No group can represent all the interests and concerns ofthe older residents in a community or neighborhood.Nevertheless, a discussion that involves the active partic-ipation of concerned individuals can begin to outline theaspects of the community that make it livable and pointto issues and concerns that need to be addressed to makeit even more livable.

Each community or neighborhood has individuals whoare either leaders or people who are anxious to becomeinvolved. These people may already be active in commu-nity groups like the hospital auxiliary, the library board,or a homeowners' or tenants' association. They may vol-unteer at a senior center or in a faith-based group. Somemay be active members of AARP, civic associations, orservice clubs. Ideally, a number of these active volun-teers are older or work closely with older adults. Theintent is not simply to identify community problems, butactually to develop strategies to deal with those issues.


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Hence, it is helpful if these initial participants are well-connected within their community. A larger group of resi-dents may become involved once an agenda is identified.

Who Convenes the Group?Your group of concerned and committed volunteers willneed someone to convene meetings and keep the discus-sion on target. That person could be in a position of lead-ership, perhaps with a senior center, a faith-based group,a residents' association, or a volunteer organization.Obviously, the backgrounds of conveners will vary, butanyone who takes on the task of guiding a communityassessment will need leadership skills and the ability tofollow up once the group identifies a community concern.To be effective, a convener should not direct the group,but rather encourage it to develop its own agenda.

The convener is responsible for assembling the partici-pants (with help from others in the community), findingmeeting times and places, and launching discussion onaspects of the community that further or hinder inde-pendence.

Deciding on a Topic or TopicsOnce the group is convened, you will probably want tohave several initial discussions about your communityand its needs. Based on what emerges from these discus-sions, your group should identify one or more areas ofprimary concern that you can examine in greater depththrough a community assessment survey. The purpose ofthese surveys is not to rate your community, but ratherto define the issue more clearly and identify a specificagenda that energizes the group.

Preparing to Conduct a SurveyBefore the group plunges in with a survey, its membersmust prepare adequately. Below are several steps thatyour group can take to make the survey process moreefficient and effective. These steps are summarized in achecklist that is found at the beginning of each survey.


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Review the Sample SurveysThe survey questions offered with each section of theGuide are intended to get your group started. Some ques-tions will not be relevant for your community, or youmay think of others that should be included. Use theoverview material provided at the beginning of each sec-tion as a starting point for discussion. Then look at thequestions provided for the assessment survey and refinethem so that they relate specifically to your community'sparticular issues.

Define Your Community Before proceeding with a survey, members of your group

should agree on the community youwish to assess in light of the particularissue covered by that survey. The Guideis intended to encourage action in avariety of areas. It can be used inneighborhoods as well as in smalltowns. You may want to use establishedlegal boundaries to define your commu-nity, or you may find that other defini-tions are more meaningful. If youdecide to conduct more than one survey,your definition of community may differfrom one survey to another.

In many ways, the composition of yourgroup and the experience of its mem-bers will define the community. A com-munity is the place where residents pri-marily conduct their daily lives. Forsuburban communities, the geographic

area can be much broader than for an urban neighbor-hood or a small town. The issue area you select also willhelp to define the community. A focus on a walkable,pedestrian environment, for example, defines a muchsmaller community than does a focus on communityhealth facilities. The community’s ability to promote andmaintain independence for older persons will be a key


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element of any definition.

Gather MaterialsSeveral materials are indispensable for conducting acommunity assessment survey. Make sure your volun-teers have these before starting:

Street maps of your community. Maps will helpvolunteers know what area they must cover in thesurvey. Maps are also essential because you willuse them to mark items of importance to a specificsurvey, such as:

sections of the community with a significantnumber of older residents;

places where people meet, such as meetinghalls, schools, recreation facilities;

bus routes and other public transportationitems of interest;

intersections or street signsthat are challenging for olderdrivers;

shopping and restaurants;

cultural facilities; and

health facilities and servic-es.

Clipboards to hold the surveysand extra paper in case volunteers want to writenotes to supplement survey responses and markson street maps. A handheld voice recorder may bean alternative to writing notes.

Pens, pencils, and highlighters.

A tape measure may be handy occasionally(e.g., for measuring the width of sidewalks inthe "Walkability" survey).


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A stopwatch or watch with a secondhand may be useful for assessing the adequacyof crosswalk signals and the time it takes tocross certain intersections.

Comfortable clothes and walking shoes.Volunteers may spend a lot of time walkingwhile conducting the survey, so they shouldwear comfortable clothing and sturdy walkingshoes.

A camera can record important aspectsof a survey, such as unsafe street crossings, lack

of accessibility for persons with disabili-ties, or inadequate recreational facili-ties. Photos serve as documentation forthe survey and become an importanttool for illustrating examples of theproblem to a broad audience. They arealso important for documenting positivefindings that can be shown as examplesof how to do something right. A digitalcamera is especially useful becauseimages can be transmitted electronical-ly.

A flashlight may be useful as well,especially if your survey requires volun-teers to be out at night.

Collect Useful Background InformationAfter reviewing the sample survey for the issue area youhave chosen to investigate, you may find that you need toknow a few facts about your community, such as zoningor preservation ordinances covering different types ofbuildings or regulations about sidewalk snow removal.Find out what local agency is responsible for the issuearea you have identified. Determine the existing require-ments and who has authority to change them. Considerreading back issues of your local paper to learn aboutissues affecting your community that may be covered byyour survey, such as crime and safety, health care, or


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recreation and leisure activities. You'll want to find outwhether older residents are clustered in certain parts ofyour community. Finding out whether other communitygroups or local or state agencies are conducting similarsurveys also can be extremely useful because it mayinfluence your efforts or suggest partners for collabora-tion. You also may want to do some research on theexperience of other communities in addressing yourissues of concern. Details about their efforts, successes,and lessons learned may be very useful in helping youplan your work and may help you bolster your causeafter you have completed your survey and begunaddressing your findings.

Spend some time gathering background informationbefore you start your survey. Here are some places to gofor different types of information:

For census information, try the publiclibrary or your city or county planning office.(Complete accuracy is not as important as get-ting a general idea of locations with concentra-tions of older residents.)

For zoning and preservation information, trythe city or county planning office.

For regulations (such as snow removal), trythe relevant local government agency responsi-ble for that issue (for example, the city manag-er's office or the department of public works orparks and recreation).

To find out whether other groups are con-ducting similar surveys, check with the relevantlocal government agency responsible for thatissue, look for coverage in your local newspaper,ask citizens groups that may be concerned aboutthe issue, or ask members of your group.


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Enlist Allies and PartnersEnlisting the support and collaboration of others can go along way toward making your efforts go smoothly-fromgathering information before you start, to actually con-ducting your survey, to acting once it's done. The degreeto which you involve these individuals or groups is up toyou. You may want to develop a relationship with mem-bers of the group because they can help you get the infor-mation you need. You may want to inform them of youractivities occasionally, or you may want to include themas members of your group. You may want to involvethem in only one phase of your activities or work withthem throughout the process. You may want to enter intoa full-scale partnership to address a particular agenda.For example, because public officials have manydemands on their time, it may be useful to invite a citycouncil member or other sympathetic official to sit in ona meeting. That person would hear directly from citizensabout how that issue affects them. The official could thenbe encouraged to "adopt" the issue and help move it for-ward among his or her colleagues.

Here are some groups to consider enlisting as allies orpartners:

local library staff; parks and recreation department staff; local police; local media; city or county planning groups; city or county council staff; local or city tourist board; local theater or arts groups; business groups or the chamber of com-

merce; community service organizations; faith communities; and other community groups.

Complete Other Advance Preparation Tasks Form survey teams. Create teams of two to

five volunteers to conduct the survey. Workingin pairs or small groups will stimulate discus-sion and also help with personal safety whenvolunteers are surveying. When creating yourteams, emphasize the benefits of participating -LIVABLE COMMUNITIES:

An Evaluation Guide

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working on a survey is an opportunity to getsome exercise, socialize with friends and meetnew people, and help improve the community.

Ask for volunteers to carry out specificresponsibilities. You will need people to drivevolunteers around the survey area, fill out thesurvey form and take additional notes, maketelephone calls, visit local or city officials, doresearch, and perform many other jobs.

Create a schedule. Make sure you allowplenty of time for the survey.

Make sure that volunteers are familiar withthe survey area before they begin. If volunteersknow where they are going and what they needto look for before they actually begin, they willbe able to conduct the survey more effectively.

Conducting the SurveyHaving identified your areas of concern and completedall your advance preparation, you're ready to begin con-ducting your survey. Each of the eight sections that fol-low gives specific background information and guidancefor conducting a survey on that topic. These topicsinclude:

transportation; walking; safety and security; shopping; housing; health services; recreation and culture; and caring and mutual support.

Planning and Carrying out Next Steps after theSurvey Is CompleteWhen the group reconvenes after completing the survey,the discussion will focus on the problem areas that eachteam has identified, as well as areas that could serve asgood examples. The teams will share the informationthey have been able to find about their areas of concern.


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Not everyone will reach the same assessment of eachitem, and discussion is very helpful in sorting out thevarious concerns. Here are some suggestions for how toturn survey results into positive and productive commu-nity action.

Summarize and Prioritize Have a small group of volunteers prepare a summary ofthe problems that the teams identified through the sur-vey. Once the summary is completed, review it anddecide which problem area needs to be addressed imme-diately and which problem areas are lower priorities.

One approach is to start small with one manageable proj-ect and, once that has been done successfully, move on toadditional projects. With each success will come the con-fidence to tackle the next, possibly more complex project.With each success you will also build credibility in thecommunity, which will further enhance your futureefforts with other projects.

A priority-setting exercise may help your group decidewhich problem area to focus on initially. The problemarea needs to be something that can excite interest andfor which a solution is possible. A list of contacts for fol-low-up information is included at the end of each sectionof the survey. These contacts may help the group beginto explore ways of addressing various types of concerns.

Make Other People Aware of the Problem The next step is to organize your survey results and putthat information in a format that can be presented easilyto public officials, interested community groups, andother important individuals and groups. Organize yourresults so that the problems are clearly identified. Itshould be clear to public officials and other audienceshow the key problem that you selected as an action itemaffects a specific activity that is important to the healthand well-being of older residents and their ability to con-tinue living independently. Here are some examples ofclearly articulated problems:


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Busy intersections in neighborhoods withmany older drivers do not have left-turn lanesor left-hand-turn arrows, creating safety con-cerns for drivers and pedestrians.

The only way that older residents in a newleisure development on the edge of town can getto shops is by walking along the shoulder of abusy highway because there is no sidewalk orbus service.

In this community, accessory housing unitsare not currently permitted in areas zoned forsingle-family units, but there is considerableinterest in that housing option.

The helpline for older adults is not well pub-licized, so residents don't know where to look forkey services.

You should also include a description of how resolvingthe problem might improve a specific experience for olderresidents. The suggestions associated with each chaptershould help in identifying places where the communityand your volunteer group can start. Information aboutthe experiences of other communities may come in handyat this point. Obviously, each community has its ownspecial character and its own structure. No one solutionworks for all communities, but the experience of othersmay help you in your work.

At this stage, it also may be appropriate to inform thelocal media. Getting local media involved not only willhelp make the community aware of the problem, but mayencourage other volunteers to address similar problems.For example, some older adult groups have been verysuccessful in inviting media representatives to observe adangerous street crossing or an unlighted, remote busstop.

Mobilize for ActionAs noted above, strategies need to be designed for indi-vidual communities, and they should include a broadbase of public involvement. This is one place where youralliances and partnerships with others who share your LIVABLE COMMUNITIES:

An Evaluation Guide

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interest or concerns or who can effect change in that areawill be critically important. For example, youth recre-ation advocates can be natural allies in park improve-ments. Local theater or arts groups may be interested inworking with you on an effort to expand cultural andarts activities. The police department is an obvious col-laborator in a community safety audit. Some issues, suchas insufficient affordable housing or limited shoppingopportunities, will require conversations and strategybuilding with key private interests, such as developers orlocal chambers of commerce.

Talk with municipal government because many issuesfall within the responsibility of local government. Forexample, placement of street signs within a communitywould most likely fall within the province of the localdepartment of public works, but requirements regardingdimensions and placement may well be determined bythe city or county council. Improving the environment forpedestrians may involve several entities, though it maybe best to start with a specific local agency. For exam-ple, most municipalities establish requirements for build-ing and maintaining sidewalks. However, the responsi-bility for maintaining the sidewalks belongs to the prop-erty owner. And while in old neighborhoods, the citymay be responsible for fixing or constructing sidewalks,in new neighborhoods the developer is generally respon-sible for constructing sidewalks.

The key to success in all of these areas is to focus atten-tion and select a manageable issue in which your groupand its partners can actually make a difference. It will bemuch better to build on a success than to drag out a proj-ect that is too big for your group to handle.

Issue areas that cannot be resolved immediately can beplaced on the broader community's agenda. For example,the broader community would need to be involved to offerincentives for a small grocery store to open in a down-town area near a large number of older residents.Younger residents could prove to be natural allies in thateffort. Some agenda items may already coincide withagendas of local transit agencies, libraries, senior cen-ters, or city/county councils.


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3THE COMMUNITY SURVEYPART

TRANSPORTATION Mobility Options Continuing to Drive

IntroductionWith the decline of downtown shopping areas in manyurban and rural communities and the scattered develop-ment pattern of suburbs, it is increasingly difficult forolder residents in many neighborhoods to get to shops,services, and recreational opportunities without an auto-mobile. In downtown areas, shops often cater to touristsand antique shoppers, while basic shops and grocerystores have moved from downtown to strip malls milesaway. Affordable apartments for older adults and hous-ing with supportive services are frequently located on theurban fringe where land is less costly and little thoughtis given to proximity to shopping and personal services.New leisure communities similarly emerge on largetracts on the urban fringe. The views may be restful andrecreational opportunities delightful, but those communi-ties may also be located miles from the nearest shoppingcenter or medical facilities.

For older adults who do not drive much or who havestopped driving altogether, this land-use pattern canpresent a real threat to continued independence. Fewcompletely satisfactory alternatives to the automobile areavailable in communities that were designed with theautomobile in mind or were transformed in the age of theautomobile.

Public TransportationPublic transportation may be one viable option. Almostall participants in community focus groups highlightedquality public transportation as an essential factor of alivable community. Ideally, a public transportation serv-ice would have almost all the attributes of a private car(convenience, flexible routes, frequent schedules, andlimited out-of-pocket costs) but many participants saidthey would be willing to settle for just reliable service.The only two locations where public transportation didnot seem to be a main issue were places where residentscould walk easily to shops, services, and recreationalfacilities. Notably, such areas are frequently the mostcost-effective for transit service because of populationdensity and diversity of land uses.

MOBILITY OPTIONSAND CONTINUEDINDEPENDENCE


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Variation in Quality and Type of PublicTransportationThe quality and type of public transportation servicesvary considerably across the country. In fact, many com-munities have no public transportation, making it neces-sary for nondrivers to depend on oth-ers for all types of trips. In somecommunities, organized groups ofvolunteer drivers help older resi-dents meet basic needs. Some com-munities have special-purpose vansthat provide trips to the doctor, ameal program, or other human serv-ices programs, but not for shoppingor social purposes. Although somecommunities have regular fixed-route buses with established stops,the quality of those systems alsovaries. Some operate seven days aweek at frequent intervals into theevening, while others only operateduring the workweek. Some provide only very limitedmidday schedules, the time of day that many older citi-zens prefer to travel. Even where there is frequent, reli-able weekday bus service, users usually express a needfor expanded routes and weekend service. Across thecountry the price of bus fare varies considerably. Almostall cities offer a reduced fare for older residents, andsome states offer an additional subsidy for older publictransit riders.

Fixed-Route BusesIn some communities, bus routes are clearly marked onmaps that also have large-print schedules. TheAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA) now requires thattransit systems, including buses, announce major crossroutes to help people identify their stop or a major trans-fer point. The driver may make the announcement, butnewer vehicles may be equipped with automatedannouncers. Some senior centers offer volunteer escortsto help older residents learn the system.

In other communities, the routes may not be well markedor easily learned and may seem very confusing to olderresidents. Difficult experiences with use of fixed-routebuses may discourage older individuals from venturing


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out alone. Furthermore, the routes themselves may notprovide for the needs of some older residents. Althoughmost regular-route buses stop at shopping facilities,other places such as nursing homes, medical facilities,religious institutions, or even newer residential areasmay be off the route. Some common stops for older peoplemay require transfers, which can add stress, inconven-

ience, and confusion.

All bus stops require a walk fromhome. That walk can be a pleasantstroll over a well-maintained side-walk with shade trees, or it can be achallenging trek over an unevenpath or require street crossingswithout pedestrian signals. In somecommunities, bus stops offer bench-es, shade, and shelter from theweather; other communities provideonly a sign marking the bus stop.Some communities provide adequatelighting at stops, which gives agreater sense of safety and security,yet other communities offer no such

protection.

The buses themselves contribute to a sense of safety andsecurity if they are well maintained and have courteousdrivers. In urban areas with crowded buses, clearlymarked signs offering preferred seating to older residentsmay be a major asset.

Dial-a-RideThe ADA requires public transportation providers tooperate paratransit for riders who cannot reach or usebuses because of a disability such as a visual impair-ment, mental disability, or even a problem made worseby seasonal changes like emphysema. This type of dial-a-ride service picks up eligible residents at the curb infront of their homes as long as they live within three-quarters of a mile of a bus route. Some communities offera dial-a-ride, door-to-door service for older residents andthose with disabilities, usually at a higher cost than mostfixed-route buses. In small communities with no regular-route bus service, a dial-a-ride service is sometimes


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available to the general public if the individual canafford to pay an established fare. These services fre-quently require advance booking and usually involve ashared ride. Some older people find shared ride servicesinconvenient, and others find it difficult to schedule ridesin advance.

Other Mobility OptionsSome communities offer a mix of alternative transporta-tion services, including volunteer drivers. Where taxisare available, the cost is often too high for those withfixed incomes. Some leisure communities or housingfacilities for older adults offer specialized van service tothe doctor as well as scheduled group trips for shopping,cultural, and recreational activities. These certainly helpto meet basic needs, but they offer little choice in desti-nations and trip timing.

In urban neighborhoods with established subways orlight rail trains, access to the stations may be anissue, and routes do not always serve the destinationsthat older residents prefer. Where available, com-muter trains link suburbs to central cities and offerolder residents access to recreational and culturalopportunities, sometimes at reduced midday rates.They may not provide access to basic services or shop-ping, however, and stations are usually located at aconsiderable distance from residences.

The issues associated with mobility options varyamong communities and neighborhoods. The followingsurvey questions are intended to help you take a closerlook at existing services in your community. The sametype of transportation system is certainly not appropriateor viable in communities of different sizes. Nonetheless,older residents in all communities need alternatives tothe automobile. These questions are intended to help youidentify characteristics of a local public transportationsystem that, with some improvement, could enhance liv-ability for older adults.


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26

INNOVATIVE IDEAS AND SUCCESS STORIES

Enabling TransportationThe City of Mesa, Arizona, offers a mileage reimbursement program,Enabling Transportation (ET), for older residents and persons with dis-abilities. It provides qualifying clients who cannot drive with a 34-cents-per-mile reimbursement for car trips when a friend or neighbor volun-teers to drive for them. (Relatives who live with the ET passenger arenot eligible for the funding.) Reimbursements are paid directly to partici-pating or eligible ET passengers who are required to pass the paymentalong to their volunteer drivers. The program provides reimbursementsfor trips to medical appointments, grocery shopping, personal errands,banking, religious activities, volunteer work, as well as to the local sen-ior center. Since March 1999, over 560 older residents have joined theET program.

The Independent Transportation Network (ITN)ITN is a nonprofit, membership-based organization operating near andwithin Westbrook, Maine. It is committed to providing dignified trans-portation for older persons. ITN uses automobiles, rather than vans orbuses, to pick up clients at their doors and take them anywhere in theservice area. The service is safe, affordable, and desirable for peoplewho have given up driving but who still want to maintain an independ-ent lifestyle. Clients and their families plan and pay for transportationthat effectively replaces the private automobile (for further informationsee www.itninc.org).

Boone County TransportationThis rural/small town transportation system is a nonprofit organizationproviding quality, affordable transportation to all citizens of BooneCounty, Iowa. Boone County is a largely rural area in central Iowamade up of one larger full-service community of 12,000 and severalsurrounding small farming communities. Twenty-five percent of the pop-ulation is over age 65. With the leadership of a determined and dedicat-ed manager the system grew from three older vehicles to a current fleetof 13 fully- accessible vehicles. The system now serves 80–90,000 tripsa year within the county on a dial-a-ride basis in addition to three regu-lar trips to the dialysis center in the next county each week.

Managing the funding for this system takes particular dedication. Thecosts-per-ride continue to rise. Donations from the passengers don’tbegin to cover these costs. The system manager juggles 132 differentfunding sources that she has been able to piece together including avariety of city, county, state and federal grants, foundation funding, indi-vidual contributions, and rider donations. The system also acceptsmemorial gifts and hosts an annual giving campaign. The drivers are alldedicated retired persons who have participated in driver training pro-grams and are able to secure wheel chairs.

MOBILITY OPTIONSSURVEY


28

Getting Ready Checklist (see pages 9-14 for more details)

Review and DefineReview the sample Transportation surveyDefine the community to assess

Gather MaterialsStreet mapsClipboardsNote paper or handheld voice recorder (if desired)Pens, pencils, highlightersComfortable walking shoes and clothingCamera (if desired)Flashlight (if desired)

Collect Useful Background MaterialGet census information on sections of the community with significant numbers of older residentsGather information on current public transportation options and schedules in the community fromlibrary, senior center, city or transportation company websites, or state department of transportation

Enlist Allies and PartnersLocal library staffCity planning staffCommunity transportation agencyOther:

Complete Other TasksForm survey teamsAsk for volunteers to carry out specific jobsCreate a schedule for conducting the surveyMake sure volunteers are familiar with survey area

Conducting the Survey

Availability of Public Transportation

1. Does your community have a regularly scheduled busor other public transportation service that picks up pas-sengers at established stops? (If there is no regularlyscheduled service skip to question # 21.)

YES NO

2. If there are regularly scheduled bus or other services,are stops located within a 10-minute walk of residencesin the sections of town with older residents?

YES NO

Note particularly sections of the community that areNOT served.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Are the sidewalks that serve bus stops maintained? Isshade available? Are street crossings safe?

YES NO

Note areas that need attention.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Does this system serve hospitals, clinics, shoppingfacilities, and other routine destinations of interest toolder persons?

YES NO

If not, note which key destinations are NOT served?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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5. When is this service available? (Every day? Mondaythrough Friday only? Saturdays? Sundays? Holidays?Hours of service?)_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Would other service times help older residents?

YES NO

If so, which times?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7a. Are schedules and route maps easy to read?

YES NO

7b. Are they readily available in libraries?

YES NO

Senior centers?

YES NO

Medical facilities?

YES NO

shopping centers?

YES NO

transit stops?

YES NO

Note other places where public transportation schedulesare available or should be made available.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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8a. Is it possible to call the transportation company forroute and schedule information?

YES NO

8b. Is information available for those who have difficultyhearing?

YES NO

8c. Is transportation information available in languagesother than English? If so, note what languages andwhether this meets the language needs of the communi-ty.

YES NO

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Is it relatively easy to transfer between two buses orother forms of public transportation?

YES NO

10. Does the driver provide information about transferswhen you board, and are you informed about transferpoints?

YES NO

Note how much time you need to wait for a transfer busat several major transfer points.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. Are reduced public transportation fares available forolder residents?

YES NO


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Quality of Transit Stops

12. Are the transit stops well marked?

YES NO

13. Do most of the transit stops offer shade, seats, andshelter from the weather?

YES NO

14. Is there adequate room for a wheelchair?

YES NO

15. Are routes and schedules served by each stop clearlyposted?

YES NO

16. Is information also available for those with limitedsight?

YES NO

17. Are the transit shelters well lighted in the evening?

YES NO

Note stops that need particular attention.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Quality of Public Transportation Vehicles

18. Is preferred seating available near the door for thosewho have difficulty walking or standing?

YES NO

19. Are upcoming stops announced?

YES NO


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20. The ADA requires that all fixed-route bus systemsmust be accessible to those with disabilities. How dothose traveling in wheeled mobility devices and othertypes of mobility devices access vehicles in this system?What accommodations are made for individuals withvision or hearing impairments?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dial-a-Ride

21. Does your community have a dial-a-ride service? (Ifnot, skip to question #30)

YES NO

22? Who is eligible to use the service?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

23. What do riders have to do to participate?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

24. What area does the service cover?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

25. Does it offer door-to-door service for residents?

YES NO

26. How far ahead do you need to call for service?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

27. Does the dial-a-ride service usually arrive at theappointed pickup time?

YES NO

28. Does it charge a higher fare than the fare for regularfixed-route buses?

YES NO

29. Do older residents in the community express concernsabout the cost or convenience of dial-a-ride fares?

YES NO

Taxi

30. Is taxi service available in the community?

YES NO

31. Does it serve the whole community?

YES NO

32. Do older residents express concerns about the cost orreliability of taxis?

YES NO

Specialized Services

33. Do local organizations (such as senior centers,churches, or other groups) offer van service to meal sites,doctor's appointments, or special recreational excursions?

YES NO

34. Is this service well advertised?

YES NO

35. Who is eligible for this type of trip?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

36. Do medical centers offer their own transportationservice for dialysis and other regular medical needs?

YES NOLIVABLE COMMUNITIES:

An Evaluation Guide

34

37. Do leisure communities have their own van to takeresidents shopping, to the doctor, and to cultural activi-ties?

YES NO

Volunteer Services

38. Is there an organized volunteer driver program inyour community?

YES NO

39. For what purposes is that program available?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

40. Is it available to all older residents?

YES NO

41. How is it advertised?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Planning and Carrying Out Next StepsAfter completing the survey, note areas that could useimprovement and plan a strategy to address these areas.In most cases, you should discuss these issues directlywith the agency operating the transportation systems inyour community. Funding may limit an immediateresponse, but the agency can certainly consider yourideas when developing its own operations plans andapplications for federal or state funding. For example,some simple suggestions, such as better distribution ofschedules and larger-print schedules, may only requirereallocation of existing resources. Discuss ideas forenhanced private services or senior center services withthe appropriate system operator. If your neighborhood has no public transportation serv-ice, you may want to raise that issue directly with yourcity or county transportation agency or with your com-munity homeowners' association or senior center. The


35

federal government makes funding available to the statesto assist in purchasing vehicles and services for special-ized transportation services for older persons and per-sons with disabilities. Federal funds are also availablethrough the states to assist with rural public transporta-tion. For both specialized transportation and rural publictransit service, you may want to contact your statedepartment of transportation to find out where suchfunding is directed, the services currently available, andwhom to contact about ways of enhancing or augmentingthem.

Establishing some form of new transportation systemwill require considerable effort, and other members ofthe broader community can often help in this effort.Parents of young teenagers may be natural allies, as arecommunity development and environmental advocates.

ResourcesHelpful information on alternative ways of providing forthe transportation needs of older residents is availablefrom the Community Transportation Association ofAmerica (http://www.ctaa.org).

Senior Navigator has a website with helpful suggestions:"Transportation Services: Where to Get Them in YourCommunity" (http://www.seniornavigator.com/content/community/transportation.asp).

Information on forming or enhancing new volunteer pro-grams can be acquired from Easter Seals “SolutionsPackage for Volunteer Transportation Programs.”(http://www.easterseals.com/transportation)

Access to shopping continues to be a major issue for olderadults. For a success story see Harrison Right Rue, “TheCorner Store: Cornerstone of a Livable community,”available from the Florida Sustainable CommunitiesCenter. (http://fcn.state.fl.us/fdi/fscc/ news/state/cor-ner1.htm)

Additional discussion of issues is found in: AgingAmericans: Stranded Without Options, SurfaceTransportation Policy Project, Washington, DC, 2004.(http://www.transact.org).

A comprehensive source of information for communitieslooking at how to coordinate human service transporta-tion is at (http://www.unitedweride.gov/).


36

IntroductionThe number of drivers 70 years old and older increasedby 111 percent from 1980 to 2000, from 8.8 million in1980 to 18.9 million in 2000 (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov).Those older adults who drive far outnumber those whouse public transportation. Even those who occasionallydo take alternative forms of transportation also continueto drive.

For many Americans, regardless of age, driving an auto-mobile is equated with personal independence. Obtaininga driver's license is a rite of passage into independencefor a teenager, and retaining that license seems allimportant as we get older. Most of us continue to driveand enjoy the convenience of being able to travel at amoment's notice.

Nevertheless, driving may become more difficult as aperson ages, particularly in inclement weath-er or at night. Reaction time may slow andvision may become less sharp. The glare ofheadlights is a major factor affecting olderdrivers' visual abilities at night. Slower reac-tion time can make left-hand turns morechallenging. It is possible, however, to makestreets safer for older drivers and, at thesame time, safer for all drivers.

Enhanced Street SignsSeveral street design changes can be particu-larly helpful. One key improvement is installing streetsigns with large letters that are easy to read at a dis-tance. Lighted or reflective center-mounted street signsmean drivers do not need to strain to read small, side-mounted street signs.

Regularly placed streetlights also help drivers see pedes-trians or unexpected obstructions in the road at night. Inaddition, central medians that soften the effect of thelights from oncoming traffic are much easier on the eyesthan are simple jersey barriers or pavement markings.Raised reflectors in the road can reinforce pavementstripes and offer an extra warning about crossing lanesunintentionally.


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CONTINUING TODRIVE

IntersectionsHalf of all fatal crashes involving drivers 80 years andolder occur at intersections. The disproportionateinvolvement of older drivers is due in part to increaseddriving task demands for a given maneuver (FederalHighway Administration Guidelines). Intersectionswhere roads meet at sharp angles are particularly diffi-cult for those who have trouble turning their heads.Some states have begun to address this issue.

Left-hand Turns Left-hand turns create particular challenges for olderdrivers. A dedicated left-hand-turn lane and a turningarrow are very helpful. Where those are not provided,older drivers may have to travel out of their way just tobe able to make a series of right-hand turns. Drivershave the time and distance they need to be sure that theopposing lane is clear before turning left if a dedicatedleft-hand-turn lane begins at mid-block.

ParkingParking also can be difficult for older drivers. Challengesto peripheral vision, perception, and reaction time allmake parallel parking a complex task. It becomes evenmore difficult to pull out of a parking space when parkednext to a larger vehicle (such as an SUV or minivan),which can block the driver's view of oncoming traffic.Diagonal parking, on the other hand, is usually easier tonegotiate.

Parking lots often do not have clear driving patterns, andcautious drivers may encounter other drivers racingaround looking for parking spaces. Directional arrowscan make it easier for drivers to know where to look forother cars. Parking lots also can be difficult places foranyone to walk through, and they are even more chal-lenging for someone who walks slowly. A few parking lotsnow offer walkways between banks of cars that leadright up to the stores. Ample lighting helps with securityissues. Some shopping centers are introducing parkinglot surveillance cameras to increase security.


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Drivers with disabilities that make it difficult for them towalk welcome dedicated parking places. To be effective,however, these parking places need to be monitored regu-larly and unauthorized cars ticketed or towed.

The following survey questions are intended to help youlook at your community from the perspective of safe andcomfortable driving for older residents. Depending on thesize of your community and the volume of traffic on itsstreets, the following may or may not be issues for you.Note any aspects that you would like to follow up on.


40

DRIVABILITYSURVEY


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Review and DefineReview the sample Continuing to Drive surveyDefine the community to assess

Gather MaterialsStreet maps in a scale large enough that you can code specific intersections that are challenging fordrivers, problematic street signs, and other drivability issuesClipboardsNote paper or handheld voice recorder (if desired)Pens, pencils, highlightersComfortable walking shoes and high visibilityclothingCamera (if desired)Flashlight (if desired)

Collect Useful Background MaterialGet census information on sections of the community with significant numbers of older residentsGather information on driving and traffic safety issues involving older drivers from surveys conducted by the department of transportation or public safety

Enlist Allies and PartnersLocal library staffCity planning staffCommunity transportation agencyOther:

Complete Other TasksForm survey teamsAsk for volunteers to carry out specific jobsCreate a schedule for conducting the surveyMake sure volunteers are familiar with survey area


43

Conducting the SurveyYour survey teams will want to take at least two tripsthrough your community in an automobile, one duringthe day and one in the evening. For now, avoid travelingduring peak driving periods-7 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 6pm. You will want to drive slowly and observe traffic pat-terns and street signs. Afterward, you may wish toobserve key areas during peak driving periods to see howchallenges differ. In larger communities, teams of threecan survey different neighborhoods. The day trip shouldinclude an assessment of major parking lots in shoppingcenters, post offices, libraries, and other activity centersolder residents frequently visit. The night drive will notelighting, sign legibility, and glare problems.

1. Does your community have street signs with largeenough letters to be seen at a distance?

YES NO

2. Are those street signs readable at night?

YES NO

3. Are there streetlamps at regular intervals?

YES NO

4. Do your streets have turning arrows at intersectionsand dedicated left-turn lanes?

YES NO

5. Do the dedicated left-turn lanes start at the middle ofthe block?

YES NO

6. If your community has streets with a heavy volume oftraffic, are there medians or other devices to minimizethe glare from opposing traffic at night?

YES NO

7. Are the lane markings clear?

YES NO


44

8. Are they reinforced by reflectors?

YES NO

9. Do parking lots have clear travel patterns?

YES NO

10. Do lots have an ample number of parking places thatare easy to use?

YES NO

11. Are there well-marked parking spaces for individualswith disabilities?

YES NO

12. Is proper use of these spaces monitored and enforced?

YES NO

13. Are there safe walkways to get to the stores from theparking lots?

YES NO

Planning and Carrying Out Next StepsFollowing up this survey may involve focusing on a vari-ety of issues with several public agencies. For example, ifyou note that street signs are not visible from a distance,you will want to follow up with the public works or trans-portation department in your city. If the proposed signchanges would be on a designated state highway or fed-eral highway that runs through your city, you will wantto contact the state department of transportation.

Keep in mind that, due to costs, many transportationimprovements are planned years in advance. In somecases, needs that have already been identified by plan-ners can be prioritized and moved up. But generally, citystaff will value input on those issues that can beaddressed in the short and long term.

Also remember that city councils often make decisionsabout selecting street signs because the signs can relateto a community identity. Some city council members may

feel strongly about a traditional type of sign. Your agen-da, however, will relate to public safety and can attractbroad-based public attention if you enlist the support ofthe local media and other local community groups.Perhaps your community could phase in larger signs formajor streets or even install advance warning signsannouncing major intersections.

Improved traffic signals with better walk signs and greenleft-hand-turn arrows should also be discussed with thedepartment of transportation. Those signals are costlyand will require the full cooperation of the city trafficengineering staff for installation. There may be cost effi-ciencies for a smaller city to cooperate with other cities inthe area in a joint purchase agreement. You can raise thepossibility of retiming existing signals with the city traf-fic engineering staff. It is difficult to make changes in asingle signal light without affecting traffic flow on theentire street, but changes are possible if you make aneffective case for them.

Efforts to install designated left-hand-turn lanes willrequire a concerted effort as well. Street modificationswould need to be included in a city's long-term trans-portation improvement plan. Items are identified forinclusion in the plan as a result of transportation depart-ment studies and accident reports issued by the depart-ment of public safety. Items within the plan are priori-tized and identified for action each budget year. Publicmeetings are held to discuss these priorities, so a con-certed volunteer effort can draw attention to problems ata critical intersection and potentially move the issue upon the list of priorities. Because safety issues affecteveryone in the community, this issue may be particular-ly ripe for alliances and partnerships with other commu-nity groups that are also concerned about traffic safety.

ResourcesOne of the most comprehensive technical resources is theFederal Highway Administration's Highway DesignHandbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians (Staplin, L.,K. Lococo, and S. Byington,and D. Harkey. Fhwa_RD-01-103, May 2001).


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The State of Florida Traffic Engineering Manual (section6.1) includes "Florida's Elder Road User Program," whichoffers a complete guide to improved roadway design andtraffic control devices. Traffic Engineering Manual(FDOT Manual Number 750-000-005 March 1999)

Alicandri, Elizabeth, Mark Robinson, and T. Penney.Designing Highways with Older Drivers in Mind(http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/mayjun99/olddrivers.htm).

Designing Roadways to Safely Accommodate theIncreasingly Mobile Older Driver, July 2003, a reportprepared by the Road Information Program (TRIP), 1726M Street NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20038(http://www.tripnet.org).

U.S. Department of Transportation, National HighwaySafety Administration. SAFE Mobility for Older PeopleNotebook. DOT HS 808-853, April 1, 1999.(http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/olddrive/)

Some programs like AARP's Driver Safety Program areavailable to assist older persons sharpen their drivingskills and maintain their independence. The program istaught by other older adults (through AARP) and is par-ticularly useful in helping older drivers compensate forchanging vision and reaction time (www.aarp.org).

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety also offers helpfulguidance for older drivers through an easy-to-readbrochure titled, "The Older and Wiser Driver"(www.seniordriver.org)


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WALKABILITY

IntroductionWalking is the oldest form of transportation, and side-walks are the fundamental building blocks of a pedestri-an network. For older adults who no longer drive, side-walks are a crucial resource for remaining active andinteracting with others. Most important, they allowolder people to get to a variety of vital destinations, suchas shopping and medical facilities. (This survey is con-cerned with walking as a crucial mode of transportation.The recreational aspects of walking are covered inSection 7, Recreation and Cultural Activities.)

Unfortunately, in too many communities, the transporta-tion system has been built around the automobile, andlittle consideration has been given to the needs anddesires of pedestrians. Lack of sidewalks, construction ofsidewalks too close to streets and roads, and lack ofmaintenance can discourage people from using this vitalaid to walking and can keep those who need to walk fromreaching their destination.

Challenges for Pedestrians and Why People Don'tWalkObviously, many people do walk. But manymore would like to walk if their communityhad an adequate pedestrian system in placethat made walking safe and enjoyable. Whatare some of the challenges that your com-munity faces in encouraging walking as analternative mode of transportation? Hereare a few common problems; your communi-ty may have different or additional con-cerns.

WeatherWeather plays a role in when, where, and how far peopleare willing to walk. Realistically, there is not much wecan do about the weather, but if other physical con-straints are minimized, weather can become less of a fac-tor in walking. For example, having and enforcing rulesabout keeping sidewalks clear of ice and snow can makewalking safer and more possible in winter.


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Discontinuous and Disjointed RoutesSidewalks that stop and then pick up again later canmake it physically impossible for some pedestrians toreach a destination. Sidewalks that do not go where peo-ple want or need to go can discourage residents fromwalking.

Traffic ConflictsPoor design and poor placement of sidewalks causepedestrians real or perceived danger from fast-movingvehicles. Locating a sidewalk immediately next to busystreets can discourage many people from using it. Forinstance, having a strip of grass between the sidewalkand roadway may help pedestrians feel safer.

Difficulty in Crossing StreetsPedestrian signals, where available, often do notaccommodate those who walk more slowly than thestandard four feet per second. This presents a seriousdanger, particularly where there are very wide streets,or where multi-lane streets lack a median for pedestri-ans to pause until the next signal.

Personal SecurityPoor design and lighting can contribute to people feel-ing vulnerable to crime and fearful about walking.

Poor DesignNarrow sidewalks that make it difficult for two peopleto walk side-by-side can discourage people from walk-ing.

Lack of MaintenanceUneven surfaces, broken pavement, and large cracks areexamples of poorly maintained sidewalks and increasethe risk of falling.

ObstructionsObstructions such as overgrown bushes and trees canmake it difficult for people to walk on a sidewalk.Likewise, poor planning can result in obstacles such asfire hyrdants or utility poles being placed in a sidewalk.In addition, unleashed dogs can be threatening to a per-son walking along a sidewalk.


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Preparing to Conduct the SurveyTo conduct a survey of the walking opportunitiesin your community, it is important that yourteams take the time to walk the streets andrecord their results. If your community is verylarge, you may want to select a smaller, moremanageable area on which to focus. Dependingon the interests of the survey teams, you alsomay want to focus on specific issues, such assidewalk location or maintenance.

An added note about preparing for this survey:Although the survey questions provided herefocus on problems with sidewalks, consider ask-ing your survey teams to collect informationabout areas that are particularly commendableas well. Being able to demonstrate that yourobjectives are being met in some locations canbolster your argument for action in other loca-tions.

WALKABILITYSURVEY


52


Review and DefineReview the sample Walkability surveyDefine the community to assess

Gather MaterialsStreet mapsClipboardsNote paper or handheld voice recorder (if desired)Pens, pencils, highlightersMeasuring tape (if desired)Stopwatch or watch with second hand (if desired)Comfortable walking shoes and clothingCamera (if desired)Flashlight (Some questions address lighting issues,and you will have to check for this at night. You will need a flashlight to record your responses and provide light in those areas where lighting is inadequate.)

Collect Useful Background Material Get census information on sections of the community

with significant numbers of older residentsGather information about regulations on sidewalk snow removal and other maintenance issues

Enlist Allies and PartnersLocal library staffCity planning staffCommunity transportation agencyLocal police (an officer may be willing to join you on a nighttime survey)Other:

Complete Other TasksForm survey teams (DO NOT GO ALONE TO DO THE SURVEY AT NIGHT) Ask for volunteers to carry out specific jobsCreate a schedule for conducting the surveyMake sure volunteers are familiar with survey area


53


Sidewalks and Their Maintenance

1. Are there sidewalks throughout your community?

YES NO

2. Are the sidewalks well maintained? (Surfaces shouldbe flat with only minor cracks and minimal separationbetween slabs.) Note the location of problem sidewalks.

YES NO

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Are curb-cuts visible? Would it be difficult for thosewith visual impairments to detect them or those withwheelchairs or walkers to negotiate them? Note the loca-tion of problem curb-cuts.

YES NO

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Are any sidewalks obstructed by bushes or overhang-ing tree branches? Note the location of problem side-walks.

YES NO

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Useful Terms to KnowCurb-cut: The area cut out of the edge of asidewalk at an intersection. Curb-cuts allowpeople with wheelchairs, bicycles, andstrollers to move easily from the sidewalk to


54

5a. Does the community have a regulation regardingsnow removal from sidewalks? (Your local public worksdepartment or city/county manager's office should havethis information.)

YES NO

Note locations where sidewalks are not cleared, if appli-cable.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5b. Does the community have a program to help olderpersons clear snow from the sidewalk in front of theirhome?

YES NO

6. Are the sidewalks wide enough for at least two peopleto walk together? (A minimum width of 4 feet is neededfor two people to walk together.)

YES NO

Note the location of substandard sidewalks on the surveymap.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Do bicyclists, skateboarders, roller skaters, and othernonpedestrian users make walking difficult?

YES NO

If this is a problem in specific areas, locate those areason the survey map.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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8. Are there other problems that affect use of the side-walks, such as animal waste or unleashed dogs thatthreaten pedestrians?

YES NO

If this is a problem in specific areas, locate the areas onthe survey map.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Traffic Signals

9. Are traffic signals located at pedestrian crossings?

YES NO

Note on the survey map where you think additional traf-fic signals are needed.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. Do the traffic signals provide adequate time forpedestrians to cross the street without feeling rushed?

YES NO

Note on the survey map the location of signals that donot provide adequate time for crossing.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. Do signals have push-to-walk buttons to help stoptraffic on a busy street?

YES NO

Note location of signals without push-to-walk buttons onthe survey map.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Traffic signals generally provide asafe method for pedestrians tocross a street. However, non-sig-nalized crosswalks can create afalse sense of security that couldresult in a pedestrian fatality. TheFederal Highway AdministrationHighway Design Handbook forOlder Drivers and Pedestrians:Recommendations and Guidelines(December 2000) suggests that theshorter stride and slower gait ofless agile older pedestriansrequires that pedestrian control sig-nal timing should be based on anassumed walking speed of .85meters or 2.8 feet per second.


56

12. Do any long streets with no intersections have mid-block crosswalks?

YES NO

Note location on the survey map.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. Are crosswalks well marked? (This could includestriping, signage for pedestrians and vehicles, cautionlights.)

YES NO

Note locations of crosswalks that are not well marked.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. Do all crosswalks have curb-cuts to provide a transi-tion from the sidewalk to the roadway?

YES NO

Note locations on the survey map of crosswalks that donot have curb-cuts or curb-ramps.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. Are curb-cuts textured to alert persons with visualimpairments that they are about to enter the street?

Pedestrian Amenities

16. Are the sidewalks in your community shaded bytrees?

YES NO

Note on the survey map where there are no shade trees.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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17. Are there resting places (e.g., benches, low walls) forpedestrians along the sidewalks?

YES NO

Note on the survey map where resting places are located,especially in areas of the community with many olderresidents.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. Are there enough resting places?

YES NO

Note on the survey map where you think additional rest-ing places are needed.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. Are resting places shaded adequately from the sun?

YES NO

Note on the survey map the location of seating placesthat are not shaded.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. Do the community's signs provide clear directions forpedestrians?

YES NO

Note on the survey map where you think signs are need-ed or should be improved.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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Planning and Carrying Out Next StepsMost of the concerns raised in the walkability survey willrequire working with the city or county public worksdepartment. For example, you can present your findingsabout placement and width of sidewalks and sidewalkmaintenance issues directly to this agency. However,keep in mind that responsibility for specific sidewalkissues may vary. For example, even though the city pub-lic works department is the place to begin to addresssidewalk maintenance, such maintenance ultimately maybe the responsibility of property owners. The addition ofa new walkway may require negotiating with the respec-tive property owners about paying for it. This process iseasier if what is needed is to fill in a gap rather than toinstall a completely new walkway that will cross a num-ber of private properties. Trimming bushes that over-hang the sidewalk is the responsibility of the propertyowner, but the city or county will send an official noticeto request that the property owner take care of it. If theproperty owner does not comply, a public works crewmay trim the bushes and bill the property owner. Insome neighborhoods, the responsibility for sidewalksrests with the homeowners' association, and you shouldaddress your concerns there.

Some communities or neighborhoods have ordinancesthat restrict installation of sidewalks or curbs because ofaesthetics or as part of an effort to make the area appearto be less urban. That will present a real challenge toany group that wants to add sidewalks to make walkingeasier. In these communities, you must present the needfor sidewalks to the city or county council. In the shortterm, you might direct your energies more effectivelytoward other issues, such as ensuring that neighborhoodstreets are well maintained.

If action on sidewalks is not possible, your group may beable to move forward in other areas that can help tomake streets safer to walk along. For example, somecommunities have been very effective in urging that thecity install traffic calming measures such as round-abouts, speed tables, or speed humps as ways of reducingcut-through traffic or speeding cars. In Peoria, Arizona,residents in a housing development can collect signatureson a petition requesting traffic calming devices. If all res-idents sign, the city will install devices at the city's


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expense. If 80 percent sign, the city will pay 80 percent,with the property owners paying the rest as an assess-ment. No devices are installed if less than 70 percent ofthe property owners sign the petitions.

You may pursue action on streetscapes that need moreeffective streetlights, benches, and shade trees throughdifferent agencies or organizations depending on thelocation. Consider forming an alliance with downtownmerchants or others who may be interested in improvingyour community's visual identity. Other groups that maybe interested include the planning department, whichwould be involved in improving streetscapes, or theparks department, which might be involved in plantingtrees. Local parent-teacher associations (PTAs) may alsobe interested because of their concern for safe routes toschools.

Traffic signals are the responsibility of the traffic manag-er in the city or county department of transportation.Pedestrian cross signals are usually timed for a person towalk at four feet per second; however, older residentsoften take longer to cross streets. It is possible to allowmore time in locations with many older residents.However, such a change will affect the rest of the signallights on the street, so the traffic manager may be reluc-tant to make such an adjustment.

Crosswalks are another important issue to raise withofficials. Signalized crosswalks with flashing lights orspecial signals activated by a walk sign are the safest.New types of crosswalks in which the striping in thecrosswalk itself lights up when activated by a pedestriandemonstrate the potential of technology to enhancepedestrian safety. Representatives of the city or statedepartment of transportation may be interested in ademonstration site that shows how older residents willparticularly benefit by improvements in major streetcrossings.


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ResourcesThe Internet has many available resources on walkingand community livability. Here are just a few:

National Center for Bicycling and Walking (www.bikewalk.org)

Walkable Communities (www.walkable.org)

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center(http://www.bicyclinginfo.org and www.walkinginfo.org)

Quality Places (www.qualityplaces.marc.org)

Active Living Network (www.activeliving.org)

Smart Growth Network (www.smartgrowth.org)

Sustainable Communities Network (www.sustain-able.org)

American Institute of Architects, Center for LivableCommunities (http://www.aia.org/livable/)

Numerous other sources are available that deal withpedestrian signs and safety, such as:

The New Jersey Department of Transportation site,“Pedestrian Safety.”(http://www.state.nj.us/commuter/pedsafety/crosswalks.shtm)

Guerrier, Jose, and Sylvan Jolibois. "Give ElderlyPedestrians More Time to Cross Intersections," 1999(http://www.msstate.edu/org/gerontology/hfes-gep.htm).

SAFETY & SECURITY

IntroductionA sense of personal safety and security is fundamental toa livable community. Sidewalks will remain unused andolder adults will be reluctant to venture from theirhomes unless they are confident that they will be able toreach their destination and return home safely. In fact,participants in several of the focus groups indicated thatpersonal safety and security was one reason why theywould choose to live in an age-restricted, gated communi-ty if they had sufficient income.

Traffic signals and well-maintained walk-ways encourage walking, but equally impor-tant is the atmosphere of the community-perceptions of criminal activity and the atti-tudes of residents. In towns or cities with ahigh incidence of petty theft, older residentsmay be targets. Appropriate street lighting,well-maintained streets, and well-trimmedbushes and trees can go a long way towardenhancing personal security. Special neigh-borhood designators (that is, a special com-munity design for signs or a unique plant-ing pattern in common areas) can help tocreate a special identity for a neighborhood.Neighborhood watch signs can indicate thatan active and concerned group of residentslives in that area.

Another major contributor to personal safe-ty is living in a well-maintained neighbor-hood whose houses have windows facing thestreet. One urban focus group participantwho had been knocked down in an attempt-ed purse snatching reported that she was

rescued quickly by concerned neighbors who had seenher plight from their windows. Sometimes, the mere pos-sibility of being seen can deter crime, such as on a streetwith other pedestrians or windows facing the street.

What can community residents do to make sure thatthey and their neighbors are safe inside as well as out-side their homes? In addressing these questions, it isimportant to understand first what causes older personsto be fearful in their neighborhoods and communities.

Fear of CrimeFear of crime is one of the most important problems thatolder persons must confront in their communities. Innational surveys over the last several decades, more than


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40 percent of Americans have consistently identifiedcrime or the fear of crime as the primary reason thatthey will not walk in their neighborhoods at night. Fearis highest among certain groups, primarily women andolder residents.

In most communities, fear of crime is related to featuresat both the macro and micro scale. The macro scalerelates to the broader community, including areas wherepeople work or congregate for leisure activities, such asdowntown areas or malls. Micro scale relates to areas inneighborhoods and around homes that are perceived tobe unsafe and that people tend to avoid, such as alleys orcertain properties. These unsafe areas make residentshesitant to walk in their neighborhood at night, or insome cases, even during the day. They do not feel safe,although in many instances it may be difficult for themto identify the source of their fear. Helping older personsto identify the elements of the physical environment thatcause fear is addressed later in this section.

In general, two basic theories help explain why peoplefear their physical environment. One theory suggeststhat deterioration of the physicalenvironment sends a signal that aplace is no longer maintained orcontrolled by those who live or workthere. People also fear signs ofdeterioration, such as trash on theground, graffiti, or deferred mainte-nance, because they know thatcriminals are attracted to neighbor-hoods that appear to be deteriorat-ing. Dealing with neighborhooddeterioration issues is generally apublic policy issue and should beaddressed through the local govern-ment.

A second theory suggests that somephysical features, such as bushes, low lighting, darkwalkways, and enclosed areas created by building designand location, can of themselves enable crime to develop.It is not always easy to identify these types of physicalfeatures, but the safety survey in this section can help.

Social Impacts of Fear of CrimeFear of crime has serious negative social impacts outsideof those generated by crime itself. Fear causes decreasingparticipation in public activities and use of public spaces.


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Such withdrawal is detrimental to individualsand leads to missed opportunities and a lowerquality of life. A reduction in the number ofparticipants in public space and public lifediminishes the entire community. Crime mayeven increase under these conditions. Fewer"eyes on the street" increase the likelihood thatcrimes will not be witnessed or discouraged.

People sometimes assume that the solution tocrime and security concerns is to live in agated community. Typically, such communitiesare designed for higher-income homeowners.More that seven million households (about 6percent of the national total households) live in

developments behind walls and fences. About four mil-lion of them are in communities where gates, entrycodes, key cards, or security guards control access.Renters also sometimes choose gated apartments becausethey perceive such housing to be safer.

However, it is unclear whether living in a gated commu-nity is in fact safer than living in a traditional communi-ty. Research by the Urban Land Institute and otherschallenge the actual security value of a gated communi-ty. Probably the most significant outcome of gated com-munities is the physical separation that it creates. Gateskeep other residents out of the gated community, andthey make it more difficult for community members toaccess amenities in the broader community, such asparks or retail stores. This is particularly true for resi-dents who no longer drive.

Creating a Sense of Community with DesignWhat makes older residents feel safe in their physicalenvironment? This varies by community, but basicallythey prefer an environment in which they feel a sense ofcommunity, where they have the opportunity to socializeand interact with others, and where they are confidentthat others are also invested in the quality of the neigh-borhood. Whether it is a senior center, recreation center,park, coffee shop, or some similar facility, communitiesshould have spaces that facilitate social interactions.


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Preparing to Conduct the SurveyThis survey should be conducted in both daytime andafter dark, particularly because lack of lighting is often amajor contributor to safety problems. Conduct the day-time portion first so you can become familiar with thearea and identify possible trouble spots. Travel in agroup or arrange for a police officer to accompany thesurvey team. Some police officers have Crime PreventionThrough Environmental Design (CPTED) training thatwill help the team identify unsafe areas. It is also impor-tant to include a member of the city planning staff who isfamiliar with local zoning ordinances to help identifyhealth and safety issues. Depending on the size of yourcommunity, you may decide to have more than one teamwalk different areas or the same team walk the entireneighborhood on different days or evenings. The follow-ing checklist can help your group get ready for the sur-vey.

NEIGHBORHOODSAFETY SURVEY


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Review and DefineReview the sample Safety surveyDefine the community to assess

Gather MaterialsStreet mapsClipboardsNote paper or handheld voice recorder (if desired)Pens, pencils, highlightersComfortable walking shoes and clothingCamera (if desired)Flashlight (Some questions address lightingissues, and you will have to check for this at night. You will need a flashlight to record your responses and provide light in those areas where lighting is inadequate.)

Collect Useful Background MaterialGet census information on sections of the community with significant numbers of older residentsRead crime columns of your local newspaper to get a sense of trouble areas and of the types of crimes

Enlist Allies and PartnersLocal library staffCity planning staffDepartment of public safetyDepartment of public worksLocal building permit agencyLocal police (ask officers to join you on a nighttime survey)Other:

Complete Other TasksForm survey teams (DO NOT GO ALONE TO DO THE SURVEY AT NIGHT) Ask for volunteers to carry out specific jobsCreate a schedule for conducting the surveyMake sure volunteers are familiar with survey area


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Lighting

1. Do the streets in your neighborhood have adequatestreet lighting?

YES NO

2. Are the sidewalks adequately lighted at night?

YES NO

3. If your neighborhood has alleys, are they well lighted?

YES NO

4a. Are public areas well lighted?

YES NO

4b. Are private areas (e.g., yards near public sidewalks)well lighted?

YES NO

Note which areas, if any, are not well lighted.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Does the neighborhood have signs that designate it asa neighborhood watch area?

YES NO

Sight Lines

6. Are there areas with overgrown vegetation and limitedlighting along the sidewalks where someone could hideor where pedestrians would feel unsafe?

YES NO

Note these locations.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

INNOVATIVE IDEAS ANDSUCCESS STORIESS

Neighborhood Safety SurveyAs part of the Safe CommunitiesProgram, the Phoenix PlanningDepartment initiated aNeighborhood Safety Audit projectfor neighborhoods in Phoenix,Arizona. The safety audits are coor-dinated with the police departmentand with the Neighborhood ServicesDepartment. The police departmentparticipates as part of theirNeighborhood Policing Program.The Neighborhood ServicesDepartment participates as part oftheir Neighborhood Fight BackProgram. Neighborhood Services isalso responsible for enforcing theNeighborhood Preservation Code.The first neighborhood safety auditwas conducted in October 1997,and since that time more than 30audits have been conducted to tar-get improvements to site lines, light-ing, walking areas, etc.


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Eye/Ear Isolation

7. Are there locations in your neighborhood where apedestrian would be isolated and out of the earshot ofother residents? Would anyone hear if a person called outfor help? (Consider how this answer might be differentduring the day and during the evening/nighttime)

YES NO

Note these locations.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Entrapment Areas

8. Are there areas along a pedestrian route that mightbecome locations for entrapment (small, confined areasadjacent to a pedestrian route that are shielded on threesides, such as walls around dumpsters or insets or bump-outs in buildings)?

YES NO

If yes, note locations._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Escape Routes

9. Do you see routes that criminals could use to escapeeasily from your neighborhood onto a major street?

YES NO

If so, note these routes._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sense of Ownership/Maintenance

10. Are there locations in your neighborhood that are notproperly maintained?

YES NO


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If so, note these locations.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Police Services

11. Are there call boxes that are well marked in case ofemergency?

YES NO

12. Do police patrol the area routinely?

YES NO

Planning and Carrying Out Next Steps Once you have completed the safety survey, selected themost important issues, and discussed an action plan, youmay want to conduct a public awareness effort about keyissues you discovered through the survey. Such an effortcan be very important in mobilizing support for action.Consider starting this effort through an informal neigh-borhood social event. Invite residents and property own-ers and present your safety findings. Placing fliers on allhomes is another way to increase awareness about yourgroup and its safety efforts.

LightingAdequate lighting is a key safety issue. If your surveyidentified poorly lit locations, work with your local gov-ernment agencies to identify the procedure for installingadditional streetlights. Because new streetlights repre-sent an expense, municipalities prioritize requests acrossa community. Local officials are more likely to pay atten-tion to active, involved neighborhoods with a clearly-defined request.

Sight LinesMany cities require residents to trim bushes and doother maintenance to ensure clear lines of sight on side-walks and near buildings. Notifying the city public worksdepartment regarding overgrown bushes or other visualobstructions will probably trigger a notice to the property


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owner to trim the bushes in question. As noted in theWalkability survey section, if the property owner does notcomply, the city will trim plantings that overhang astreet, alley, or sidewalk and then bill the propertyowner. This is especially true if a public safety issue israised. Neighbors can band together and push for such anordinance if none exists.

A similar approach may be successful in alerting propertyowners about potential entrapment areas and the need tomodify them. Property owners may be willing to comply ifthey are aware of possible liability for those who areaware of safety issues and do not take steps to deal withthem. The city building permit department may be will-ing to issue guidance on placement of walls arounddumpsters or building designs that involve insets andbump-outs.

SignsSigns can also announce neighborhood block watch pro-grams and will be posted by the department of publicsafety once a neighborhood block watch has actuallyformed and is operating.

Some neighborhoods attempt to enhance local pride byseeking a special designator, a sign or other identifier.Both formal and informal designations are possible. Thecity planning department and the public works depart-ment would be important contacts for a group planning amore formal identifier for the neighborhood.

ResourcesThe National Safety Council (NSC) is the leading advo-cate for safety and health issues (http://www.nsc.org).

The Community Policing Consortium's primary mission isto deliver community policing training and technicalassistance to police departments and sheriff's offices(http://www.communitypolicing.org).

The National Criminal Justice Reference Service(NCJRS) is an important resource for a broad cross-sec-tion of safety and security issues (http://www.ncjrs.org).


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Administration on Aging, National Institutes of Health,U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Resource Directory for Older People.(http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/How_to_Find/ResourceDirectory/resource_directory.asp)

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist forOlder Adults.(http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/falls.htm)

OrganizationsNational Fire Protection Association (NFPA)(http://www.nfpa.org or 1-800-433-3555 or 1-617-770-3000 if outside the United States).

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)(www.cpsc.gov).

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control(NCIPC) (http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc or 1-770-488-1506).

WebsitesSAFEUSA (http://www.safeusa.org/olderfalls.htm)

FirstGov for Seniors (http://www.seniors.gov)

Community Safety Series (http://www.be-safe.org)

National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org)

Administration on Aging (http://www.aoa.gov)

National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Health(http://www.nia.nih.gov)

The Enterprise Foundation (http://www.enterprisefoun-dation.org)


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SHOPPING

IntroductionAs noted in the section on transportation, access to shop-ping opportunities is important to older residents whovalue their independence. Yet, in many communities it isbecoming increasingly difficult for those who cannot orchoose not to drive to get to basic retail and banking out-lets. Most major retail establishments have responded tothe movement of large segments of the population to thesuburbs by relocating in strip or shopping malls, whichrequire more driving trips. Those who want to stay orreopen in a downtown area often find that the price ofland and the cost of rent are much higher in that areathan they are in the suburbs or the urban fringe, andthat only smaller parcels of land are available. As aresult, older residents in downtown areas may have few

useful shopping opportunitiesnear their homes. Where down-town areas have been reinvigorat-ed, new shops frequently cater totourists or become a center forarts and culture.

For older residents in suburbansettings, strip malls that are easi-ly accessible by car appearunfriendly to pedestrians. Even insuburban areas that are served bypublic transit, stops are located onsidewalks, leaving pedestrians towalk across expansive and busyparking lots to reach the stores.This situation is a challenge for

anyone, but for older persons who are carrying grocerybags or are unsure of their footing, it can be dangerous.Even more disconcerting is the fact that familiar shops inolder strip malls often close their doors and move fartherout on the suburban fringe toward newer developingareas. All too often, the result is rundown strip mallsthat are not economically viable and do not serve localresidents adequately.

Some older strip malls are being renovated for new andinnovative uses, and some cities are reintroducing mixed-use development with shops on the lower level and resi-dences above. A major benefit of the mixed-use approachin downtown areas is increased activity in sections oftown that were fairly deserted after five o'clock. Some


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new communities are taking a different approach byincorporating small shopping areas into design. Theseefforts are encouraging for older residents when theshops include basic groceries, banking, reasonably pricedhair stylists, coffee shops, and gift stores.

In some communities, older residents who do not drivean automobile may need to rely on friends and relativesto help with basic shopping. Getting to a hairdresser orthe dry cleaner also may prove to be challenging. Seniorcenters or assisted living facilities may provide excur-sions to shopping centers, combining social activity withshopping.

Availability of Grocery StoresAccess to grocery stores is essential for older people'sindependence. The trend among supermarkets, however,is to move into larger and larger facilities that they canshare with a pharmacy and a branch bank and to expandtheir inventories to include a broad range of householdand other items such as flowers. The annual FinancialReview released by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI)indicates that the average supermarket was 44,000square feet in 2000, up from 33,000 square feet 10 yearsago (www.fmi.org). Because typical grocery store profitsafter taxes are only 1.36 percent (FMI cite), they mustoperate on a high volume of sales, which encourages thetrend to increasingly larger stores. Downtown locationsgenerally do not have the space that supermarkets needfor their large inventory or for customer parking. Thiskind of space is typically only available along arterialhighways or near the urban fringe. The result is a down-town without a grocery store. For many urban residents,the only outlet available is a convenience store with alimited selection and higher prices. Even older residentsliving in suburban settings may find it difficult to get togrocery stores; public transit is often not available inthese settings.

Some chain grocery stores have considered a variety ofsolutions to this problem. For example, Ralphs, a largeCalifornia chain, has introduced an urban store in SanDiego. It is accessed from a sidewalk and has parkingunderneath. Giant, a fairly large chain in Delaware,Maryland, and Washington, D.C., has opened a smallerstore on the lower level of a Washington office building.Office workers, nearby college students, and local neigh-


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City Place in Long Beach,California, is an effort to trans-form an older downtown into avibrant community with a rangeof housing units, retail shops, anda grocery store. In Bellevue,Washington, the revitalized down-town includes two grocery stores,drugstores, retail shops, and arange of housing options. Arejuvinated city park offers recre-ation and an urban focus.

In Stanton, California, 25 milesfrom Los Angeles, a rundown stripmall with excess commercial spaceis being transformed by addingshops that present a single archi-tectural theme. Most important,50 percent of the excess commer-cial space is being transformedinto townhouses, housing desig-nated for older people, and small-lot, single-family homes.

In Saginaw, Michigan, a five-dayworkshop focused on a fragmentedlandscape lined with 1970s mallsand 1990s big-box retailers withmassive parking lots. A designteam came up with a new conceptthat included a comprehensiveplan to affect land use and infra-structure design for future com-mercial developments. The planrequires changes in zoning, designstandards, and infrastructure thatwill make this area safer, morepedestrian-oriented, and morepublic transportation-friendly.


borhood residents all frequent the store. TheIndependent Grocers Association (IGA) serves a globalmarket with 4,400 associated stores. Following its slo-

gan, "hometown proud," IGA mar-kets have been able to maintainsmaller stores in a number of loca-tions abandoned by larger super-markets (www.igainc.com). Otherstores have instituted services tomake shopping more pleasant forcustomers, for example, helpingcustomers to carry out bags of gro-ceries or load them into the car oroffering home delivery service forgroceries and pharmacy products.

Mobility within StoresFor those who are able to get to alarge supermarket or large retailstore, the problem may be mobility

within the store. The distances are frequently too greatfor someone who has difficulty walking to manage effec-tively. Other older shoppers may find store layouts con-fusing and tiring to negotiate. Some stores respond tomobility needs by providing motorized carts as a courtesyto shoppers. Shoppers with wheelchairs may have trou-ble navigating if aisles are cluttered. Signage noting keyitems needs to be legible at a distance and posted nearthe beginning of the aisle. Places for customers to sit andenjoy refreshments are welcome, as is a bench near thedoor. Well-maintained public restrooms and friendly,helpful employees are particularly appreciated.


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Preparing to Conduct the SurveyThe key factor in this survey is the proximity ofshopping options to residences of older peopleand the ease with which older residents can useshopping facilities.

SHOPPINGSURVEY


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Review and DefineReview the sample Shopping surveyDefine the community to assess

Gather MaterialsStreet mapsClipboardsNote paper or handheld voice recorder (if desired)Pens, pencils, highlightersComfortable walking shoes and clothingCamera (if desired)Flashlight (Some questions address lighting issues, and you will have to check for this at night. You will need a flashlight to record your responses and provide light in those areas where lighting is inadequate.)

Collect Useful Background MaterialGet census information on sections of the community with significant numbers of older residentsResearch zoning codes to see if they permit mixed-use development

Enlist Allies and PartnersLocal library staffCity planning staffDepartment of public safetyLocal police (ask officers to join you if you conduct partof the survey after dark)Other:

Complete Other TasksPrepare maps by drawing a circle representing a quarter-mile in every direction from each cluster of older adult residence. These circles represent a comfortablewalking distance.Form survey teamsAsk for volunteers to carry out specific jobsMake sure volunteers are familiar with survey area


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1. Does your community have grocery stores within asafe, convenient walking distance (¼ mile) of clusters ofresidences of older adults?

YES NO

If so, note which neighborhoods have and do not havegrocery stores and briefly describe the type of store (e.g.,large chain store, "mom and pop").

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. If your community has a large supermarket or retailstore, does it provide wheeled mobility aids to help shop-pers?

YES NO

3. Is it relatively easy in the nearest grocery store to finditems?

YES NO

Include any notes about the mix of merchandise and lay-out of the store (e.g., how easy is it for older shoppers tofind and reach merchandise?).

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Does the large supermarket have clear, legible signs inhigh-contrast lettering, indicating the location of key gro-cery items?

YES NO

5. Do grocery stores in the area offer home delivery serv-ice?

YES NO

6. Do drugstores/pharmacies in the area offer home deliv-ery service?

YES NO


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7. Are other shops that meet the needs of older residentslocated within walking distance?

YES NO

If so, note which neighborhoods have and do not haveother shops, and briefly describe the type of store.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Are the stores laid out in such a way that older resi-dents can easily find and reach what they need?

YES NO

Include any notes about layout._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Is there a sidewalk and a safe crossing between resi-dences and shops?

YES NO

Note whether the sidewalk is in good repair, whethertraffic signals allow enough time for pedestrians to crossthe street, and whether the crosswalks are well marked.(See the Walkability survey for more questions aboutstreet crossings.)

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. Is there a public transportation connection betweenresidential areas and shops?

YES NO

13. Is public transportation to stores available at timesthat are convenient to older residents?

YES NO


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14. Does your community's zoning code permit mixed-usedevelopment?

YES NO

15. If so, are there mixed-use develop-ments with shops and a mix of resi-dential units that would appeal toolder residents?

YES NO

16. Are there active communityefforts to encourage replacement ofgrocery stores and other retail storesby redeveloping vacant propertiesnear clusters of residences of olderadults?

YES NO

17. What additional types of stores doyou think older residents need themost?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Planning and Carrying Out Next Steps

Pressing for Business Incentives in DowntownAreas It will be a challenge for your group by itself to be effec-tive in urging changes to the development pattern of thecity or town in which you live. Cultivating a partnershipwith a downtown business association and neighborhoodbusiness associations can be crucial to the success of yourefforts. Together, you can press the city council to offerincentives to businesses that are considering locating ina downtown area. The city planning department isanother key ally. Not only does it have expertise aboutdowntown revitalization, but it also typically plays amajor role in reviewing plans for large subdivisions. It


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may even press for adding retail stores into subdivisions.Locations as diverse as Missoula, Montana, and Buckeye,Arizona, have been successful with this approach.

Pressing for Mixed-Use DevelopmentThe planning department also can identify sections oftown that are zoned for mixed use or champion the casefor a zoning changes that will allow for mixed use. Anumber of cities are moving in this direction, includingJackson, Wyoming; Seattle, Washington, and Wilmingtonand New Castle County, Delaware. Ultimately, electedleaders will need to approve this type of change. Housingdevelopers will need to be encouraged to build morehomes or apartments in the downtown area to create amarket large enough for a mixed-use development to suc-ceed.

Attracting Specialty Grocery StoresYou and your allies also may want to consider somesmaller-scale strategies. It is not easy to attract a typicallarge grocery store to an area where space is limited.Concerns about insufficient space for a store and parkinglot will greet any plea for such a store. One solution forareas with a stable or increasing population base mightbe to approach a specialty grocery that also carries a fullline of groceries. Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Fresh Grocer,or Trader Joe's are groceries that offer a range of foods,yet their stores are typically much smaller than those ofmajor supermarkets. In fact, this type of grocery storehas moved into locations abandoned by major supermar-kets and therefore fit easily into more urban niches. Forexample, Whole Foods now has more than 140 outletsaround the country. Its rapid expansion was accom-plished by absorbing similar smaller chains in severalparts of the county. Its strategy is to take advantage ofthe emerging market of young, upwardly mobile resi-dents who are returning to more established neighbor-hoods in reviving downtown areas. Young, upwardlymobile residents would be ideal allies in seeking out aspecialty grocery store in neighborhoods with older resi-dents. A similar strategy might be effective in an areawith a new mixed-use development.

This approach has worked in a variety of settings. Forexample, a Hispanic neighborhood in Tempe, Arizona,was able to attract a small Food City grocery store that


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offers ethnic foods in a site that a standard grocery storehad abandoned. Food City is a subsidiary of Bashas(www.bashas.com), an Arizona-based supermarket chainthat prides itself on its involvement in the community.Nearby residents in established older neighborhoods areserved by the new store as well. In Seattle, a specialtyoriental market recently located on the first floor of anew apartment building. The store also carries basic gro-cery staples and is open to all residents in the area.

Advocating for Public Transportation Stops onRoutes near StoresStill another strategy would be to mobilize local residentsto press for a public transportation stop near a strip mallwith a grocery store and other shops older residents fre-quent. You will need to work with your local transporta-tion authority on this issue.

ResourcesGeneral sources of information on community revitaliza-tion are available through the American PlanningAssociation (www.planning.org), the Urban LandInstitute (www.uli.org), and the InternationalCity/County Management Association (www.icma.org).These organizations are interested in revitalizing urbancore areas where a number of older residents are agingin place.

There are a number of websites focused on downtownrevitalization that provide links to other sources. Onehelpful site is (http://www.revitalization.blogspot.com)

The Center for Community Economic Development,maintained by University extension at the University ofWisconsin (www.uwex.edu/ces/cced), offers a helpfulnewsletter, Let's Talk Business. The December 2002issue (issue number 76) included a helpful article enti-tled, "Keeping a Grocery Store Downtown," by NeilLoehlein and Bill Ryan.

The Rural Information Center of the U.S. Department ofAgriculture offers a handbook titled, Smart Towns: ACommunity Guide to Downtown Revitalization(http://www.nal.usda.gov/ric/faqs/downtnfaq.htm). Thecenter, which provides information searches, librarysearches, and searches for film, videocassettes, slides,


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and other materials, is affiliated with numerous othergovernment sources.

The Downtown Research and Development Center(www.downtowndevelopment.com) also offers a numberof resources, newsletters, free planning tools, and booksto assist with downtown revitalization and direct links toother information.

The National Main Street Center offers assistance toqualifying communities that are committed to economicdevelopment and plan to use their heritage to move inthat direction (www.mainstreet.org).

A project that is included in a city's consolidated planmay be eligible for community development block grantfunds (www.hud.gov/progdesc/cdbgent.cfm). The U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development siteoffers helpful information for organizing your community(http://www.hud.gov/community). The Small BusinessAdministration site (www.sba.gov) is a good place tostart looking for funds to attract needed businesses orreinvigorate existing ones. In addition, a number of citiesand states offer revolving loan funds to assist with busi-ness enhancements(www.state.co.us/oed/bus_fin/funds.cfm).

HOUSING

IntroductionEveryone needs housing. As we become older, our familycomposition, interests, and abilities change. For some,the need for increased accessibility requires modifica-tions to an existing home, while others move into a dif-ferent type of housing or community. Some older adultschoose to leave a large home in which they raised chil-dren to move into a home that is smaller and more man-

ageable. Still others are forced to sell their homebecause they can no longer afford the costs associ-ated with maintaining it. Maintenance costs, risingutility bills, and property taxes are particularly dif-ficult for those on fixed incomes.

Each community is unique in the housing types itoffers. Ideally, however, each community providesa variety of housing types (including services-ori-ented housing) at various levels of affordability.This is essential if a community wants to fostercontinued independence of its older residents.

Choosing to StayDespite rising housing costs, many older adultsprefer to age in place. According to AARP's 2000survey report, Fixing to Stay, more than 90 percentof persons age 65 and older prefer to remain in

their current residence as long as possible. Their reasonsinclude familiarity with the home and neighborhood,social relationships with nearby friends and neighbors,and the accumulated memories and life experience theyidentify with their home. Older persons who do moveoften attempt to remain in or near the same community.

For reasons like those, many communities have become aNaturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC).This type of community develops as residents move in ata young age and remain in place over a long period-even-tually resulting in a long-established community of olderpeople. A NORC can refer to a block of apartments or aneighborhood of older single-family homes. By some esti-mates, nearly a quarter of people age 65 and older live inan area that could be described as a NORC.


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A ramp can be retrofit toexisting home

Home Modification and WeatherizationFor many older people, home modificationcan make it easier to live in and enjoy the useof a home. For older people who are frail ordisabled, home modification may even becomea necessity, if they are to continue to age inplace.

Many types of home modifications are possi-ble, including:

- lever door handles;- 32-inch minimum entry door, with 36inches preferred;- nonslip surfaces;- low thresholds;- stairs with handrails on both sides;- kitchen counters at varying workheights and with rounded corners;- single-lever faucets; and- grab bars.

In addition to home modifications, many older residentsneed assistance with home repair and maintenance.Such activities may include painting, repairing siding orroofing, replacing equipment such as water heaters or airconditioning units, and fixing leaking faucets.

With both home modifications and home repair, problemswith deciding on immediate needs and how to pay forthem often occur. Some national organizations offerchecklists of what to look for (some are listed at the endof this chapter), and many local agencies and volunteergroups for older people help link residents to informationand resources. Some may even offer an on-site homeassessment.

For low-income residents, public resources may be avail-able through a local housing agency. Federal funds arefrequently available to communities (through such feder-al programs as the HOME program or CommunityDevelopment Block Grants) for a variety of local housingneeds, including home modifications and repair.


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Some people may be eligible for assistance with improv-ing a home for long-term energy savings through the fed-eral Weatherization Assistance Program. This program,which began during the 1973 oil crisis when prices forfuel increased dramatically, is an attempt to respond tothe needs of low-income families and individuals whotypically spend a high percentage of their annual incomefor energy to heat, cool, and run appliances in theirhomes. The program provides funds to add insulation toresidential buildings, shade sun-exposed windows, insti-tute air leak control measures, and install low-flow show-erheads. In addition, the Low Income Home EnergyAssistance Program helps low-income families pay theirheating or cooling bills. These programs are fundedthrough the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services, but areadministered locally through a variety of communityaction agencies.

Home Loans and Reverse MortgagesOlder residents who cannot afford to modify or repairtheir home with personal savings or income can tap intotheir home's equity. Conventional loans on home equityare available from many financial institutions. A rela-tively new and emerging loan instrument, called areverse mortgage, is available as well. Homeowners whoare 62 years of age or older, own their home outright orhave a low mortgage balance, and live in the home maywant to consider a reverse mortgage as a means of con-verting a portion of their equity in the home into cash.Unlike a traditional home equity loan or a second mort-gage, no repayment is required until the borrower nolonger uses the home as a principal residence. A U.S.Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reverse mort-gage is federally insured and is available to eligible resi-dents who have participated in HUD-approved counsel-ing. (For more information, visitwww.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hecm/rmtopten.cfm.)

Regardless of the type of loan, persons of all ages andincomes should be aware of predatory lending practices,such as being charged an exorbitant fee or interest rate.This may occur, for instance, when borrowers are unsure


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This kitchen area includesa roll under sink area, leverhandle faucet, and astove/oven unit with con-trols up front

Useful Terms to Know

Single-Family Homes: These homes offer an individualized livingenvironment; however, they are often not designed to meet theunique needs of older residents. Some single-family homes arelocated in age-restricted retirement communities.

Multifamily Housing: These units, including apartments or condo-miniums, are several connected homes that also offer independentliving situations. Some of these facilities are age restricted (e.g.,"seniors apartments").

Shared Housing: This involves a group of unrelated, independentolder individuals living together and sharing household duties andcompanionship. In some communities, zoning restrictions in single-family neighborhoods may pose difficulties for these living arrange-ments.

Accessory Dwelling Units: These take several forms, includingindependent 600- to 700-square-foot cottages in the backyards ofsingle-family homes. Some elder cottages (ECHO units) are modularunits that can be located temporarily in a backyard. Other units canbe attached to a home or located over a garage. Accessory units arefrequently associated with the home of a relative, offering independ-ence along with nearby care when needed.

Congregate Care: This type of older resident apartment typicallyoffers hospitality services, such as group meals, light housekeeping,social and recreational opportunities, and scheduled transportationto shopping and cultural activities.

Assisted Living Facilities: These facilities offer housing thatallows direct personal care along with independence. Residents livein private apartments that include supportive services to help indi-viduals with basic living needs such as personal care and medica-tion management. These facilities also offer the hospitality servicesfound in congregate care facilities.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities: These three-stagefacilities provide for life care in a managed community. They pro-vide separate homes or cottages with optional hospitality services,assisted living, and nursing care. Residents can use the servicesthat they need as their lives change. An initial down payment andregular monthly charges pay for the possible use of more costlynursing home care.

Nursing Homes: Nursing homes offer the least amount of inde-pendence; their residents often require 24-hour care and need assis-tance with most or all activities.


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about their credit history and loan eligibility. Older own-ers are sometimes targeted for such practices. Cities fre-quently offer tips to help avoid unfair loans as part oftheir materials on home modification, and others haveadopted or considered ordinances to help curb such prac-tices.

Residential Property Tax ReliefOlder residents on fixed incomes are understandably con-cerned about property taxes. Most states, and many localareas, offer some form of property tax reduction forhomeowners who are over age 65. Some offer homesteadcredit for homeowners of all ages, while others offerreductions in the amount of assessed property that issubject to taxation for owner-occupied housing.

Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia offer whatare known as circuit breaker programs under which thetax credit or homestead exemption decreases as incomelevels increase. Most of these circuit breaker programsare limited to low- and moderate-income homeownersand renters, but income thresholds vary widely. A 1996nationwide survey conducted by AARP of its membersfound that two-thirds of the respondents were unawareof these programs, however. A recent AARP Public PolicyInstitute Paper (AARP, 2003) provides a helpful guide tounderstanding state laws, practices, and programs toreduce property taxes for owner-occupied households andrenters. (For more information, visit:http://research.aarp.org/econ/2003_04_taxes.html.)

Universal Design for Aging in PlaceDespite opportunities for home modifications, existingsingle-family homes are not always appropriate for agingin place. Neither are some of the newly developed com-munities that focus on attracting active retirees. Adultsin their mid-50s or 60s are often uncertain about whathousing features they might need in the next 20 or 30years. This could result in their purchasing a retirementhome that does not respond to their changing needs.Therefore, they might need to make another livingarrangement later when moving is more difficult.

Adopting universal design principles into current build-ing practices can help mitigate these effects, allowingLIVABLE COMMUNITIES:

An Evaluation Guide

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older residents to age in place. This design approachincorporates into new buildings attractive and practicalfeatures that accommodate persons of a wide range ofages and abilities. These features range from wide, no-step entrances to the home to barrier-free kitchen andbath layouts. Universal design features are particularlyhelpful to older people who are frail or who have a dis-ability. It is especially important for developers who tar-get the 60 and older population to incorporate these fea-tures and make them standard practice. AARP's website(http://www.aarp.org/life/homedesign) discusses theseuniversal design features in detail.

VisitabilityAlthough there are no federal standards for the design ofsingle-family homes, the new concept of "visitability"offers clear accessibility directives for new construction ofthese homes. Visitability standards are intended toenable everyone to access the main level of a home. Theyare relatively inexpensive to install when a home is built,allow mobility-constrained neighbors and relatives tovisit socially, and allow for some degree of aging in place.Though standards can vary from place to place, they gen-erally include a no-step entry, a 36-inch outer doorway,32-inch doorways on the first floor, 36-inch halls on thefirst floor, and a first-floor bathroom. In addition, thethermostat and light switches should be placed no higherthan 48 inches from the floor, and the electric outletsmust be at least 15 inches off the floor. Several of thesestate and local requirements also mandate reinforcedbathroom walls to allow for future installation of grabbars.

States such as Georgia, Minnesota, and Texas nowrequire compliance with visitability standards for state-subsidized properties. Vermont requires compliance withvisitability standards (except for the no-step entrance)for all new home construction except custom homes.Pima County, Arizona and Bolingbrook, Illinois, alsorequire compliance with visitability standards in all newconstruction, and cities like Atlanta, Nashville, andUrbana-Champaign require compliance for homes thatreceive local subsidies.


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Roll under countertops(above) and easily reach-able outlets and lightswitches (below) areamong universal designideas

Accessible Multifamily HomesSince 1973, section 504 of the HUD Rehabilitation Acthas had accessibility requirements for multiple-familyhomes built or substantially rehabilitated by recipients offederal funds, including affordable housing providers. Atleast 5 percent of the housing units in these propertiesmust be accessible to people with mobility impairmentsand at least 2 percent accessible to people with hearingor visual impairments. These enhancements includedoors with a minimum clearance of 32 inches with thedoor open at 90 degrees. The entrance door should have ahandle that is easy to grasp with one hand and does notrequire twisting the wrist to operate. If ramps are used,the slope cannot be more than 1:12, and at least onebathroom should have a clear area to the right or left ofthe toilet and architectural reinforcements to allowinstallation of grab bars.

The Fair Housing Act of 1988, Section 6a made it illegalfor landlords to refuse to let tenants make reasonablemodifications to their house or apartment if the tenant iswilling to pay for the changes. The law also requires newconstruction of dwellings with four or more units toinclude features such as wheelchair accessibility, rein-forced walls to accommodate later installation of grabbars in bathrooms, and accessible electrical outlets andthermostats.

Housing TypesOlder adults now have a variety of housing options thatsupport differing levels of independence, including single-family homes, multifamily housing (such as apartmentsor condominiums), shared housing, accessory dwellingunits, congregate care, assisted living facilities, continu-ing care communities, and nursing homes. This variety ofhousing types accommodates varying physical abilitiesand changing capabilities to manage home maintenance.Ideally, a community will include a full range of housingtypes, allowing older people to find appropriate housingwhile remaining in the community where they have


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friends. The proximity of these housing types to shoppingand community services is also very important for thosewho want to maintain their independence. The availabili-ty and affordability of each of these types of housing willdiffer among communities.

Housing AffordabilityIn addition to a variety of housing types, older residentsshould have access to a sufficient supply and range ofaffordable housing options. Surveys show that as manyas 55 percent of older renter households have "excessive"expenditures for housing, which is generally defined ashousing costs (including rent/mortgage, taxes, utilitiesand maintenance) that exceed 30 percent of income.Local housing agencies help match low-income individu-als with affordable housing, but waiting lists can be long,and the range of affordable options is sometimes not suf-ficiently diverse.


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HOUSING SURVEY


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Preparing to Conduct the SurveyAs a crucial part of conducting a survey of housingoptions in your community, your group will need to dosome preliminary research. Here are some offices youwill want to contact:

The Local Planning and Zoning Department can give youa map noting specific zoning districts in the city, alongwith information on the types of housing in those zones.You can also get information on legal requirementsregarding shared housing and accessory housing units.

The Building Permit Office will know whether the com-munity or the state has visitability requirements for sub-sidized single-family homes or whether specific multifam-ily housing developments include accessible housingunits. You can also contact the local public housingauthority that administers HUD programs and ask to seea consolidated housing plan. These may be availableonline at (http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd).

The local government Assessor's Office is the place to gowith questions about property tax exemptions for olderadults. Members of your group also may have personalexperience in this area.

The local Area Agency on Aging may be a good place tobegin to check on home repair or weatherization services.That agency might also have information on housingunits that are particularly accessible and welcoming toolder residents. The team will want to follow up directlyas well by contacting various housing complexes forinformation about rent levels and accessibility.


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Review and DefineReview the sample Housing surveyDefine the community to assess

Gather MaterialsStreet mapsClipboardsNote paper or handheld voice recorder (if desired)Pens, pencils, highlightersComfortable walking shoes and clothingCamera (if desired)Flashlight

Collect Useful Background MaterialGet census information on sections of the community with significant numbers of older residentsContact city officials and other agencies to get information (see above for details)

Enlist Allies and PartnersLocal library staffCity planning staffDepartment of public safetyLocal police Staff or volunteers from a local nonprofit housing provider, nonprofit home repair organization, etc.Other:

Complete Other TasksForm survey teamsAsk for volunteers to carry out specific jobsCreate schedule for conducting the surveyMake sure volunteers are familiar with survey area


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Available Housing

1. Is each of these types of housing available within yourcommunity?

Single-family homes? YES NO

Multifamily homes? YES NO

Accessory dwelling units? YES NO

Assisted living facilities? YES NO

Continuing care retirement communities? YES NO

Nursing homes? YES NO

2. Is affordable housing available in each of these hous-ing types?

Single-family homes? YES NO

Multifamily homes? YES NO

Accessory dwelling units? YES NO

Assisted living facilities? YES NO

Continuing care retirement communities? YES NO

Nursing homes? YES NO

3. Are affordable housing options located near basicshopping opportunities or near a regular transit route?

YES NO

4. Are affordable housing options located near recreation-al opportunities?

YES NO


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5. Do the legal requirements in your community permitshared housing among a group of older residents?

YES NO

6. Does your community permit accessory dwelling unitsin an area zoned as a single-family district?

YES NO

7. Does your community encourage or require visitabilitystandards for new housing units?

YES NO

8. Are there multifamily housing units that are accessi-ble to people with varying or changing physical abilities?

YES NO

9. Are there any special housing complexes or apartmentbuildings especially for older people in your community?

YES NO

10. Do public transit routes serve areas of town that offeraccessible and affordable housing?

YES NO

11. Does the land-use plan or zoning ordinance allowmultifamily housing to be developed in your community?

YES NO

If so, in which locations in your community?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. Are these locations within walking distance of basicshopping and recreational activities?

YES NO


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Pebble Creek, ArizonaA homeowner who uses a wheel-chair reported at a focus group inthis newly developing communitythat 10 years ago he was able topress for 22 modifications to his newhome in order to make it accessibleto him. He urged that other home-buyers also be alert to the need topress for modifications in standardmodels of new homes. Physical abil-ities change. Homes should be ableto respond to those changes. As hepointed out, even a person with awalker would be unable to getthrough a standard 2’6” door.

13. Are you aware of individuals who are unable to findappropriate housing within your community? For exam-ple, do affordable, accessible multifamily housing orassisted living facilities have long waiting lists?

YES NO

If so, which types?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Property Tax Relief

14. Does your community offer any property tax reduc-tions for homeowners over age 65?

YES NO

15. If so, are such programs limited to individuals whoseincome is below a specific threshold?

YES NO

16. Is this program well publicized?

YES NO

17. Is the application process easy to complete?

YES NO

Repairing and Modifying Homes

18. Do lending agencies in your community offer reversemortgages to homeowners over age 62?

YES NO

19. Does your community offer a weatherization assis-tance program?

YES NO


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20. Does your community offer a financial assistance pro-gram for home modifications?

YES NO

21. Does your community offer a financial assistance pro-gram for maintenance and repairs?

YES NO

22. Does your community offer tips on finding appropri-ate financing through conventional lenders?

YES NO

23. Does your community offer a list of agencies or quali-fied individuals that specialize in affordable, reliablerepairs for older residents?

YES NO

24. In addition to assistance with these activities, doesyour community have a program that helps older personsevaluate the need for home repair, modification, weather-ization, etc.?

YES NO

25. Does your community have a program to assist withroutine or seasonal home maintenance chores (snowremoval, yard work, gutter cleaning)?

YES NO

Planning and Carrying Out Next StepsHousing is a very broad category, so you need to focusyour efforts to avoid frustration. Start with smallerissues and build to bigger issues. This approach willallow you to learn about available resources and developimportant contacts within your community. These con-tacts will be necessary to mobilize larger projects.

An example of a small project is developing a list of homerepair and service professionals who have a provenrecord of quality service. Simply talking to your neigh-bors and other older adults can help to create such a list,

INNOVATIVE IDEAS ANDSUCCESS STORIESS

Bowie, MarylandThe National Association of HomeBuilders opened an innovativedemonstration home, called theLifeWise House, to the public in2002. This 1,900-square-foot homeis the product of the combinedefforts of the Partnership forAdvancing Technology in Housing(PATH), the Senior HousingResearch Center of the U.S.Department of Health and HumanServices and the NAHB ResearchCenter. This house is designed forpeople who are moving through thelater stages of life and would preferto stay put, rather than move toanother place. It is designed specifi-cally to handle the needs of olderresidents. The house fits easily intothis community, but it has some sur-prising and unusual details.Decorative chair moldings on thewall are actually handrails. Borderson the flooring and around counter-tops in contrasting colors providegreater definition for those withvision problems. A microwave ovenis reachable from a seated position.A doorway has no step-up from theoutside entrance. Stair rails are nar-rower than normal, allowing olderpeople as well as children to grabonto them more easily. Not every-thing in the house is 100 percentaccessible, but the intent is todemonstrate that homebuilders donot have to go to great lengths toerect houses that their owners canremain in for their entire lives. Formore information see www.nah-brc.org

which could be made available at senior centers. Localsenior centers or social services agencies may also havethe resources to start a volunteer repair program.

Another small project to consider could be mobilizing toensure that any new multiunit housing project meets vis-itability requirements. A number of communities havebeen successful recently in incorporating visitabilityrequirements for new single-family housing units. Yourgroup could also host a program for private local housingdevelopers to share and discuss these guidelines.

Once you have completed the survey and identified yourfocus area, you will need to decide which contacts withinyour community you will work with. Some of these con-tacts may be the same ones you worked with before thesurvey when you conducted your preliminary research.Your contacts will vary depending on your definition ofyour community and its size, but they should have inter-ests similar to your goals.

Community groups have been very successful in workingwith neighborhood services or planning departments toadvocate for modifications in single-family home zoningregulations to allow accessory housing units. (Visit theSenior Resources website for images of attractive ECHOHousing models: www.seniorresource.com/hecho.htm.)

Some communities have revolving loan or incentive pro-grams to encourage builders to include affordable hous-ing units in their planned developments. Communitygroups can work together toward that goal.

ResourcesThe Enterprise Foundation is a leading voice on afford-able housing and community development policy issues(www.enterprisefoundation.org).

Success stories related to meeting housing needs in vari-ous communities can be found on the Internet. There arealso several agencies that can help with this effort.Listed below are just a few of the many resources thatare available for housing information on the Internet:

Senior Resource.com offers helpful suggestions for specif-LIVABLE COMMUNITIES:An Evaluation Guide

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ic modifications to a home that will make it more livablefor an older resident who wants to age in place(www.seniorresource.com/ageinpl.htm).

The National Resource Center on Supportive Housingand Home Modification offers a number of suggestions onmodifications that will make homes more responsive tochanging personal needs (seehttp://www.homemods.org/pages/links.html).

AARP offers information on the Low Income HomeEnergy Assistance Program(http://www.aarp.org/research/press/currentnews/cn-2003articles). Also see (http://research.aarp.org/con-sume/d17577_energy.html) for information on the roles ofstates in providing telephone and energy assistance tolow-income households.

AARP also offers information and useful links that canhelp individuals understand different types of housingoptions and the factors to consider when choosing hous-ing. AARP also offers a number of helpful home designguides, including a home checklist See for instance:(http://www.aarp.org/life/housingchoices/) and(http://www.aarp.org/life/homedesign).

An AARP resource on tips for finding a loan for homerepair, is at: (http://www.aarp.org/money/wise_con-sumer/financinghomes/). In addition, policy and researchon predatory lending is available at:(http://www.aarp.org/research/frauds-scams/predatory/)

The American Association of Homes and Services for theAging offers a variety of information on housing. Its web-site includes success stories and funding opportunities,along with a list of different housing options(www.aahsa.org/index.shtml).

The Center for Universal Design provides high-qualityinformation on universal design and includes picturesdemonstrating good design practices(www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/).

Concrete Change provides detailed information on vis-LIVABLE COMMUNITIES:An Evaluation Guide

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itability standards around the country. (www.concretechange.org)

The HUD website offers useful housing information andlinks to potential funding sources (www.hud.gov/). Inaddition, HUD provides a summary of the accessibilityrequirements for multifamily dwellings at(http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/disabilities/accessibilityR.cfm). HUD also offers steps for renters to find affordablehousing at (http://www.hud.gov/renting/index.cfm), andidentifies a number of resources for homeowners who arehaving difficulty making payments for their currenthome or who are seeking to move to another home at(http://www.hud.gov/owning/index.cfm).

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)Research Center maintains an active website on recentdevelopments in older adult housing, including theSenior Housing E-Review, an electronic newspaper. TheNAHB also recently completed the National Older AdultHousing Survey, which reflects housing preferences of asubstantial number of older residents as well as those ofaging baby boomers. An executive summary of the find-ings of that survey is available at www.nahbrc.org.

Additional information on reverse mortgages is availablethrough www.reversemortgage.org orwww.aarp.org/revmort.

The Administration of Aging offers a helpful websiteentitled, "Housing Options for Older Americans: AoA'sPrograms Enable Older Adults to Remain Independent."It includes criteria for selecting a housing option and afull discussion of housing types (http://www.aarp.org/con-facts/housing/housingoptions.html).


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HEALTH SERVICES

IntroductionHealth is essential for maintaining independent living. Itwas no surprise, therefore, that the older people who par-ticipated in the focus groups and who responded to theInternet survey ranked health facilities and access tohealth services at the top of their lists. The range ofsubtopics and concerns in this area is very broad.

Proximity to Health ServicesFor some community residents, proximity to health caremeans being physically close to health clinics that candiagnose problems, offer quick relief for acute problems,and refer to more complete medical services. To others,proximity means access to hospitals that house special-ists in areas such as heart disease, cancer, and orthope-dics. For others still, this concept is wrapped up withconcerns about being near doctors who accept Medicareor who are willing to take the time to relate to older resi-dents and discuss positive approaches to their healthneeds. In rural areas, finding any doctor within a reason-able distance of one's home may be an issue.

Transportation to available clinics, doctors, or dentistsoffers a real challenge in some communities. When thesefacilities are located at the fringe of a city or in suburbanstrip malls, public transportation is important. Thosewho no longer drive might be unable to make frequentappointments because they must rely on rides fromfriends and relatives. Some senior centers or otherhuman services agencies and organizations offer vantransportation specifically for this population. Locatingthe clinics or medical offices in close proximity to theareas with large older adult populations would help toreduce this problem.

Access to Health ServicesTo many older people, access to health services meansnot only physical proximity but availability of services aswell. Restrictions on medical referrals in managed care,restrictions on new patients, limitations of paymentthrough Medicare, and the rising costs of co-paymentsand medications have a powerful influence on a person'sability to obtain health services.


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Continuing Care Retirement CommunitiesAn increasing number of older people with sufficient per-sonal funds are moving into Continuing Care RetirementCommunities, an arrangement that includes independenthousing, assisted living apartments, and nursing care.For a substantial initial investment and additionalmonthly charges to cover expenses such as maintainingthe grounds, optional meals, access to common facilities,and van services, residents can be confident that theirbasic health needs and potential long-term health needsare accommodated.

It is important, however, for communities to have stand-alone skilled nursing facilities to meet the needs of thosewho do not live in continuing care retirement communi-ties.

Care at HomeIn many communities, older residents can obtain healthand supportive services in their own homes. With theassistance of these services, many people with long-termcare needs are able to live independently in their commu-nities. For older persons recovering from surgery, injury,or an illness, skilled services, such as home visits by anRN or a physical therapist, may be available through aMedicare-certified home health agency, usually for afixed period as specified by a physician. Private healthinsurance may also cover some of these services. Forthose with low incomes, Medicaid will cover the costs ofskilled care at home through its home health program.Some county or city health services also provide theseservices for those in financial need.

For personal assistance, such as for bathing and dress-ing, Medicaid will provide some services for an individualwho meets eligibility requirements. However, Medicaidoften limits these personal care services to certain areasof a state or to individuals with certain diagnoses, andmany states maintain a waiting list because demand ishigher than the state's budget for Medicaid can currentlymeet. Medicare pays for some of these personal careservices only in very limited circumstances. Many peoplepay for these privately, but family and friends who aretypically not paid for their help provide the bulk of suchassistance. Relatively few individuals have private long-term care insurance policies that cover some of the costof such services.


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Health care at home may be available through privateagencies (both for-profit and nonprofit). Sometimes theseagencies are affiliated with local hospitals. Informationon such agencies in a community is frequently availablefrom doctors and hospital discharge planners.

Local ClinicsIn some locations, community health care is available tolow-income older adults as well as to other low-incomeresidents through clinics coordinated by nurse practition-ers and supported by public health nurses. The nursepractitioners in these clinics can evaluate medical prob-lems, dispense medication, and refer serious cases to doc-tors or dentists who donate their services or accept mini-mal payment. These clinics meet a real need that crossesgenerational lines.

Assistance with Mental Health or Alzheimer'sDiseaseA livable community supports not only the physicalhealth of its residents, but also their mental health.Appropriate mental health facilities and support groupsare important. Many older residents suffer from chronicdepression and loneliness. Sometimes a sensitive mem-ber of the clergy or even a friendly community membercan help; for others, professional services are urgentlyneeded. Often, what is required is appropriate care atrates that those with a fixed income can afford.

Assisting those with Alzheimer's disease and other typesof dementia offers special challenges, particularly tocaregivers who find it increasingly hard to communicatewith their loved one and for whom the physical and emo-tional burdens of caregiving are particularly stressful. Itis important that a livable community have a healthfacility that can offer long-term care to dementia patientswithin close proximity of friends and relatives.

Many communities offer services that provide day careand activities for affected older adults and a bit of freetime for caregivers. In some communities, an adult daycare center is located in a building close to a senior cen-ter; other communities locate them in a variety of facili-ties such as older hospitals or nursing homes. Althoughthe number of adult day care centers is increasing,many communities still lack such facilities. Some com-munities are not aware of the positive benefits associated


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INNOVATIVE IDEAS ANDSUCCESS STORIES

Boone, Iowa, HospitalIn Boone, Iowa, a dedicatedgroup of community volunteerswere able to press for a communi-ty-based funding stream and,over a period of about ten years,managed to transform an olderhospital with only four staff mem-bers into a vibrant operation withadjoining specialty clinics. Thathospital identified an importantniche that is not addressed in bigcity hospitals. After treatment atthe specialty major hospital milesaway, community residentsreturn to the Boone hospital for alonger period of convalescence,close to family members.

with such centers. Your group could provide communityeducation based on the positive experience of other cities,helping residents to make informed decisions on suchmatters.

The issues surrounding Medicare, Medicaid, and afford-able health care benefits are critically important to olderresidents, and it is essential to have accurate informa-tion. Libraries in some towns offer seminars and discus-sions on these topics as do senior centers. Informationneeds to be widely circulated. Older volunteers are keypeople, not only in organizing such programs, but also indisseminating information about them to the broadercommunity. There are helpful websites on the subject aswell as printed documents available from AARP, theAoA, or local libraries.


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In a small community at the endof Long Island, New York, anurse practitioner developed atotally volunteer health care cen-ter to serve the low-income,largely migrant population thathad been attracted there by thepromise of work in the local vine-yards. The older members of thecommunity have no income andare not eligible for Medicare.These older patients come to theclinic and are referred to medicalspecialists who have agreed tovolunteer their time. A group ofretired Dominican sisters volun-teers its time to transport peopleto the clinic and grocery store.

In Phoenix, Arizona, thousandslive below the federal povertyline but do not qualify for theArizona Health CareContainment System. At theBreaking the Cycle Center, locat-ed at Grace Lutheran Church,care is provided by a nurse-man-aged Arizona State Universityteam that includes a nurse prac-titioner, community healthnurse, and two outreach workerswho speak Spanish and English.

CARES, the Senior Health Clinicin Port Richey, Florida, provideshealth screening and limitedhealth care to low-income anduninsured older persons.Patients seen by the health clinicare referred to local doctors. Thecenter also operates a memoryclinic for diagnosing individualswith memory loss.

INNOVATIVE IDEAS ANDSUCCESS STORIES


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HEALTH SERVICES SURVEY


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Review and DefineReview the sample Health Services surveyDefine the community to assess

Gather MaterialsStreet mapsTelephone directory yellow and white pagesTransit Route MapClipboardsNote paper or handheld voice recorder (if desired)Pens, pencils, highlightersComfortable walking shoes and clothingCamera (if desired)

Collect Useful Background MaterialGet census information on sections of the community with significant numbers of older residents; note on your map their proximity to health care facilitiesUse the telephone directory to note addresses of doctors, dentists, hospitals, and clinics in your community; mark the locations on your mapFind out which transit routes access the medical facilities and note them on your map; check on availability or rural transportation systemCheck on social services transportation systems that provide services to health care facilities

Enlist Allies and PartnersLocal library staffCity planning staffDepartment of public safetyLocal police Local health department Other:

Complete Other TasksForm survey teamsAsk for volunteers to carry out specific jobsCreate schedule for conducting the survey


1. Does your community have a health clinic or hospitaloutpatient service that meets the needs of older resi-dents?

YES NO

2. Is that clinic available to people with varying incomes?

YES NO

3. Is that clinic on a bus route, or is it available througha special service van?

YES NO

4. Are there doctors and dentists who are particularlyresponsive to the needs of older residents?

YES NO

5. Are there medical offices that are easily accessible bypublic transportation?

YES NO

6. Do medical offices provide information about trans-portation alternatives for accessing their services?

YES NO

7. Is access to health care an issue for those in your com-munity with limited incomes?

YES NO

8. Are there Continuing Care Retirement Communities(CCRCs) in the community that provide a range of sup-portive services options for residents?

YES NO

9. Are home health care services available in the commu-nity?

YES NO


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10. Are home health care services readily available tothose needing help to maintain independent living?

YES NO

11. Are there adequate mental health services?

YES NO

12. Are there adult day services and other facilitiesdesigned especially to respond to the needs of those withdementia or Alzheimer's disease?

YES NO

13. Is adequate public information available about healthcare and Medicare benefits, for instance, through discus-sion groups and opportunities to talk with professionals?

YES NO

14. Is information about these sessions broadly distrib-uted?

YES NO

15. Does your community offer programs for preventativehealth care, such as flu shots, support groups, nutritionclasses?

YES NO

Planning and Carrying Out Next StepsImproving access to health services presents differentchallenges to urban, suburban, and rural communities,but the issues are very similar. The concerns you haveidentified in your survey may quickly galvanize yourgroup into action because of the primary importance ofcontinued health in maintaining independence.

Older urban core areas often face problems associatedwith hospital closures and limited numbers of doctors ordentists. Contacting the county public health service orthe visiting nurse home health service would be a goodway to begin to explore the possibility of setting up aclinic. Because medical clinics are expensive to establish,one approach you might take is to approach a large hos-pital to see whether it might consider setting up aremote primary care clinic. Establishing such a clinic


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may require a regional approach involving a collabora-tive effort with a number of communities. A reliable com-munity-based funding stream is also a necessity. Onepromising strategy you might explore is to work with thetrustees of a failed small local hospital in the area toobtain space and facilities for a clinic. Families withyounger children can be natural allies in this kind of aneffort to attract an urban clinic or reopen a closed emer-gency room as a clinic. In McCurtain County, Oklahoma,for example, a community action effort succeeded inestablishing a primary health care clinic in the town ofIdabel to serve military veterans and to reduce the six-hour trip they had to the nearest veterans' hospital inTexas. Local political figures became involved, and thelocal hospital offered space and indicated a willingness todo all the lab work at no charge.

In suburban areas, transportation to doctors' offices ordentists can be a real issue if no medical facilities oroffices operate along a major bus route. This situation isespecially burdensome for some people, such as thosewho need regular dialysis treatments. You may want toaddress this issue by urging local doctors to consideropening storefronts along bus routes or by contactingsocial service departments about establishing transitservices to doctors' offices. In some communities, seniorcenters organize regular weekly or bimonthly van trips tomajor medical centers. Senior centers or faith-basedgroups may be able to organize groups of volunteers totake older residents to medical or dental appointments.

Finding medical doctors willing to come to remote rurallocations can be difficult, and these communities havetried several approaches to solve the problem of limitedaccess to health care services. For example, some ruralcommunities have been able to attract doctors who haverecently completed their training by providing a clinicand a ready-made practice in exchange for at least a two-year commitment. If your group is working in a ruralarea, see whether any of your members can contact themajor medical schools in the state about offering such anoption to a recent graduate.

Finding appropriate adult day care service facilities mayprove to be difficult in a number of communities. Thesefacilities require specially trained personnel who can pro-vide a comfortable, dignified setting for adults with avariety of physical and dementia-related needs.


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Volunteers who are interested in establishing such afacility will need to work closely with health profession-als in identifying the type of space and personnel thatare needed for an effective center.

ResourcesElderNet offers specific updated information on such top-ics as healthy living, where and how to find medical care,home health care, alternative medicine, managed care,and the relationship between the patient and the doctor(http://www.eldernet.com/).

Information on local agencies that are Medicare certifiedis located at(http://www.medicare.gov/HHCompage/Home.asp).Additional information on home health care is also avail-able.

For information on physician recruitment and retentionin rural areas see (http://www.nrharural.org/dc/issuepa-pers/ipaper13.htm).

“Revisions” offers guidance on a continuum of services forolder residents with mental disabilities in the community(http://www.revisions.net/elderop.html)

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses offersguidance on setting up a clinic for congestive heart fail-ure. (http://www.aacn.org/)

The University of Washington provides a tool box forestablishing community campus partnerships for health.(http://depts.washington.edu/ccph/contact.html)

RECREATION AND CULTURAL

ACTIVITIES

IntroductionRecreational and cultural activities as part of an activelifestyle are important to older adults because they helpthem maintain health and independence. Some advocatespromote the concept of active living, which focuses onmaintaining a physically active lifestyle, while others gofurther in promoting active aging, a concept related toenhanced physical as well as mental activity as a meansof promoting personal health. Unfortunately, many of ourcommunities are not designed to facilitate these kinds ofhealthy lifestyles. Some communities provide limited orno opportunities for older residents to be physically

active, or they have few libraries, museums,and other cultural facilities.

Parks and Other Outdoor ExerciseOpportunitiesA livable community offers parks for walk-ing, jogging, and cycling as well as recre-ation centers complete with indoor and out-door active sports. It is important that thesefacilities provide for personal safety and areaccessible to those residents who use mobili-ty devices or are less confident about walk-ing. Some communities offer trails that aresurfaced and, therefore, wheelchair accessi-ble.

Many community parks offer dedicatedparking for people with disabilities as well as pathwaysand shelters that are accessible to all. For example, path-ways can offer space next to benches for those usingwheelchairs, and shelters can provide picnic tables andbenches with cut-aways for residents who use wheel-chairs. Some communities offer trails with tactile guidesfor residents with limited or no sight.

Bellevue, Washington, a Seattle-area leader in providingparks and open space, is an example of what can be doneto ensure recreational opportunities for older residents.One of the most significant parks built in the city is theDowntown Park, which residents refer to as a "mini-Central Park." The park is immediately adjacent toBellevue Square, the cornerstone of the community'srevitalization effort. The park and revitalized downtownhave played a role in the development of new housing inthe area, and older residents occupy many of those units.A promenade provides the ideal walking opportunity for


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those older residents who seekactive living.

Interest in active aging is increas-ing rapidly. With good design andplanning, it is possible to ensurethat communities have a safe,attractive, and space-efficient envi-ronment that inspires and moti-vates residents to exercise.

Active Recreation and LeisureOpportunitiesActive leisure activities promotephysical exercise and continuedsocial interaction. Some age-restricted communities aredesigned around facilities that offer a wide array ofrecreational activities ranging from swimming andweight lifting to dancing and lapidary craft and wood-working. As residents age in place in these communities,efforts are increasing to ensure that sufficient attentionis paid to leisure activities for residents age 80 and olderwho are physically unable to participate in active recre-ation or have withdrawn following the death of a spouse.

Sun City, Arizona, an unincorporated age-restricted com-munity of 250,000, has seven recreational centers strate-gically located in the various neighborhoods throughoutthe community. A club of residents champions each activ-ity area and provides support to make sure that the facil-ity flourishes. For Sun City residents, active recreationalactivities are an important aspect of their lives and theirindependent lifestyles. Community residents are encour-aged to participate, and instructors foster the commit-ment to being physically active by demonstrating how touse equipment and how to get the most out of a workout.In response to the preference of older residents, swim-ming pools are kept somewhat warmer than pools inother communities, and they are constructed so that eventhose in wheelchairs can use them. Golf courses link toother facilities in the city, making golf carts a viablemeans of transportation. Other leisure communities aresimilarly built around golf courses and pride themselveson offering a variety of recreational activities.


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Some traditional communities that are home to all agesand groups have focused on providing recreational oppor-tunities for older residents by building senior centers. Inother communities that are not served by fully equippedsenior centers, groups of older adult volunteers havejoined others in the community, established a program ina temporary space, and later moved ahead with plans fora dedicated building or a renovation scheme. For exam-ple, a recreation center that serves all ages could offer ashared gymnasium, weight room, and swimming pools aswell as rooms for less active recreation. YMCAs andYWCAs offer similar opportunities in other communities.

A Bellevue, Washington, senior cen-ter allows older residents to becomeheavily involved in pickle ball, aform of indoor tennis played with asquare wooden racket and a Wiffleball. The center has increased thenumber of weight rooms it offers aswell. Communities like Mesa,Arizona, and Sarasota and St.Petersburg, Florida, offer an impres-sive list of recreational and educa-tional activities in large, multipur-pose facilities. Even in locationswith no central senior center, resi-dents in older adult facilities haveorganized their own parties.

Communities with cold winters orvery hot summers have tried other creative solutions,such as mall walking, in which shopping malls open theirdoors before business hours to provide a safe place forexercise. Bowling and bowling leagues offer other oppor-tunities for indoor recreation. Tai chi and dance havealso proven popular in many communities.

Senior Centers: The Efforts of DeterminedVolunteers Yield ResultsIn Carnation and Renton, Washington, the senior centersrepresent the work of generations of older volunteerswho were determined to establish a place for older resi-dents to enjoy recreational and educational activities.

In Carnation, Washington, the senior center also servesas a central social gathering place for residents of allages in this small community and is used for monthly


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steak dinners that serve as fund-rais-ers. The community financially sup-ports the facility through additionalfund-raisers that are run by volunteersage six to 90. The historic building thathouses the senior center has beenimproved and upgraded through theefforts of the community. The buildingalso houses a historical museum on thesecond floor, managed and maintainedby older volunteers.

In Renton, Washington, a determinedgroup of older volunteers pressed the city for a bondissue to establish a much-needed large senior center,after its members had outgrown an earlier facility.Despite being turned down at several city council ses-sions, they persevered and eventually prevailed. The cen-ter they were able to build now hosts a full range of pro-grams, including active recreation, educational classes,health assessments, healthy lifestyle classes, and on-sitelunches as well as a meals-on-wheels service. As in manyother senior centers, older volunteers provide most of theservices.

To encourage physically active lifestyles among theirolder residents, communities can offer softball leagues,tennis facilities, bowling leagues, and senior-friendlyswimming pools. Community facilities can encourageolder residents to participate: swimming pools can bemade more comfortable for older persons by heating thewater to a warmer temperature and by providinghandrails and ramps to help with entering and exitingthe pool. Dressing rooms should be accessible to thosewith physical disabilities. Municipal golf courses canoffer golf at a fairly reasonable cost and ensure the avail-ability of golf carts. Communities also can ensure thatjogging and bike trails are safe and usable by older resi-dents.

LibrariesLibraries play an important part in lifelong education.They serve as community centers for a broad spectrum ofolder residents -- those who enjoy interacting with groupsin senior centers and those who prefer not to engage inorganized social activities. Libraries offer books, periodi-cals, videos, and Internet access. An increasing numberof them also offer large print and audio books for those


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who find it difficult to read. In many communities thelibrary and its community room become a type of intel-lectual community center with lectures and discussionson topics of special interest to older residents and others.Most libraries also have a community bulletin board list-ing events and activities in various venues throughoutthe city.

Some libraries also include cafés where older residentsand others can meet while enjoying coffee and reading abook. In many communities, older residents volunteer in

local libraries and can help to shape pro-grams and activities. Public libraries are nowrequired to be accessible to those with disabil-ities, and many are adjusting their lighting sothat it does not create glare for persons withvisual impairments. Many libraries are alsoimproving acoustics to make them more wel-coming to people with hearing impairments.

Theater and SportsMany communities offer other varied oppor-tunities that provide cultural enrichment andfoster community pride. Small college towns

are particularly attractive because residents can takeadvantage of musical and theater productions as well asvisiting speakers. Local high schools also can be a won-derful place for older residents to take advantage ofdrama and musical productions as well as sportingevents such as football or baseball games. Regularinvolvement in school activities also fosters linksbetween older residents and other significant parts of thecommunity.

Museums and Art GalleriesIn some communities, local residents work together toestablish a community theater or art gallery. Not only dothese efforts add to the intellectual stimulation of thewhole community, but they also offer opportunities forolder residents to volunteer as part of an active "Friendsof" group that helps to maintain the facility and its pro-grams.

In Renton, Washington, the local historical museum islocated in an art deco building that was a former fire sta-tion and is the last building remaining in the area thatwas built under the Depression-era Works Program


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Administration (WPA). Older residents continue to play amajor role in updating and maintaining this museum aswell.

On the Shinnecock Reservation on Long Island, NewYork, a group of tribal elders and other volunteersworked together to establish a museum honoring thetribe's historical roots and cultural traditions and assem-bled numerous historical photographs and representa-tional exhibits. The facility itself is a beautiful woodstructure that was acquired from a Canadian tribe withthe aid of a federal grant and was reassembled by localtribal members.

Older residents of the small rural community of Gowrie,Iowa, felt that their town needed a focus for culturalactivity. They joined with others in the community toraise funds to construct a band shell in the local park.The band shell has become a symbol of community pride,so much that it is featured on a welcome sign on themain highway. Once the band shell was in place, olderlocal residents took the lead in inviting prominent musi-cians to come to town to perform. For example, arenowned opera singer came to town on two occasions tooffer concerts in the band shell, a significant event for asmall community. A Gowrie community holiday concerthas even been aired on a network of 300 television sta-tions across the nation.


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RECREATION AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIESSURVEY


126


Review and DefineReview the sample Recreation and Cultural Activities surveyDefine the community to assess

Gather MaterialsStreet mapsClipboardsNote paper or handheld voice recorder (if desired)Pens, pencils, highlightersComfortable walking shoes and clothingCamera (if desired)

Collect Useful Background MaterialGet census information on sections of the community with significant numbers of older residentsGather information on current recreation and cultural options in the community from library, senior center, local parks and recreation department, and local arts groups.

Enlist Allies and PartnersLocal library staffCity planning staffLocal parks and recreation department staffLocal arts groupsOther:



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1. Do the parks in your community offer walkways andbenches in an atmosphere that is safe and inviting?

YES NO

2. Do public parks provide trails and picnic facilities thatare accessible to older people and people with disabili-ties?

YES NO

3. Is there a public swimming pool with water warmenough to be comfortable for older residents?

YES NO

4. Are there public golf courses with golf carts?

YES NO

5. Are there public tennis courts?

YES NO

6. Are there safe walking and jogging trails?

YES NO

7. Are there safe recreational bicycle trails?

YES NO

8. Does your community have a senior center or otherrecreational center with a variety of active and passiverecreational and leisure activities for older residents?

YES NO

9. If your community does not have a dedicated seniorcenter, do its recreation centers have space or programsdesigned for older people?

YES NO


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10. Is there a mall or other facility that offers comfortableindoor walking for exercise?

YES NO

11. Is there a bowling ally with older adult bow-ing leagues?

YES NO

12a. Does your community have a public library?

YES NO

12b. Does the library offer community-based pro-grams, such as book discussion groups or speak-ers' programs?

YES NO

12c. Does the library have audio books or other servicesthat can assist those with limited sight?

YES NO

12d. Is the library fully accessible?

YES NO

12e. Is the library's lighting adequate for the needs ofolder persons with visual impairments?

YES NO

12f. Are the acoustics suitable for those with hearingimpairments?

YES NO

13. Does your community have additional facilities forrecreation, cultural events, and intellectual stimulationin your community?

YES NO

Note the additional facilities available_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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14. What type of additional recreational and culturalfacilities do you think are needed in your community?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Planning and Carrying Out Next StepsOlder residents are frequently the best advocates forrecreational and cultural opportunities. They often haverepresentatives on the planning council, homeowners'groups, or tenants' councils. Older resident volunteersare also regular participants on library or museumboards. These active participants can sound out a broad-er group of older as well as younger residents.

Alternatively, an active group of older adults who share acommon interest in some type of recreational activity canseek out others in the community who share that inter-est. Allies can be found in any age group, in recreationalorganizations, within nonprofit organizations, or evenamong businesspeople. Starting small is wise; successfulprograms grow themselves.

Recreational and Leisure ActivitiesRecreational and leisure activities are the responsibilityof a number of different agencies and groups in the com-munity. The specific agency or group where you willwant to discuss your findings and concerns will vary. Forexample, you will want to go to your city or county recre-ation or parks department to discuss the temperature ofthe city swimming pool and whether it can be changed atcertain times to accommodate older swimmers.

Talk to the city park or public works department aboutissues related to the safety, maintenance, and accessibili-ty of park trails. Safe, off-road bicycle trails also are anissue to take before the city parks department or, possi-bly, to the city public works or transportation depart-ments. If your community has abandoned rail lines, sug-gest that the agency consider transforming them intobicycle or walking/jogging trails. The grounds surround-ing a public housing facility for older residents may evenoffer the potential for a safe walking/jogging trail. Thiskind of project will likely entail working with severalagencies, including the public housing authority and the


Outdoor Recreation nearPittsburgh

Allegheny Trail Alliance's OlderAdult Project Coordinator, YvonneMerrill, holds seminars for seniorsand distributes information aboutthe trail's recreational opportuni-ties. The focus is on the healthbenefits of walking or cycling onthe trail, as well as the camaraderiethat develops among enthusiasts.The Alliance, a coalition of seventrail organizations in southwesternPennsylvania and westernMaryland, is working on a guide-book on trail walks in and aroundAllegheny County. The manager ofa local bike rental facility intro-duced older residents to recre-ational trails through courses at thelocal community college. The resultwas a steady growth of interest andthe creation of a bike club calledthe Cycle Paths. The program thatbegan with six riders now includesmore than 80 people.

More information is available atwww.atatrail.com


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parks and recreation department.Because efforts to create and pre-serve biking and walking/joggingtrails and other recreationalopportunities benefit everyone inthe community, from teens toyoung parents pushing babystrollers, to adults of all ages, youwill want to seek out allianceswith other community groups thatare interested in promoting safeand attractive venues for physical

activity. An organized, multigenerational appeal will getthe attention of local officials. Think of other potentiallyhelpful allies as well. It may be that your local medicalassociation, public health department, or communityhealth facility will want to join you because of the obvi-ous health benefits of physical activity.

You should present the possibility of mall walking to themanagement company of the mall. Costs for maintenanceand security must be considered if the mall is openedearly. The management company needs to be convincedthat these costs are offset by goodwill and the potentialthat a mall walker may see items on display in a storewindow and return to make a purchase.

LibrariesThe community library often has its own board of direc-tors; many also have "Friends of…" groups. A volunteergroup of older residents could work with the library tooffer programs of interest as well as expand offerings ofaudio books or video classics. They might also alert thelibrary to concerns about lighting glare and acoustics.

Senior CentersThe role of determined older adult volunteers in estab-lishing and maintaining active senior centers with variedprograms cannot be underestimated. Not only do thesepotential users need to present the concept to city offi-cials and other residents enthusiastically, but they alsoneed to enlist the financial support of a broad base of cit-izens in the community.

The need for a senior center may ultimately come beforethe city council, but a lot of volunteer work is neededbefore that step.

Phoenix, Arizona, provides ahalf-mile paved trail at oneof the trailheads enteringSouth Mountain Park. Notonly can people in wheel-chairs use the trail, but hik-ers with baby strollers canalso use that part of thetrail. A dirt path leading upto the ridgeline continuesfrom the end of that pavedsection.

The small town of Slater,Iowa, transformed an aban-doned rail spur into animpressive bicycle and jog-ging trail.

Scottsdale, Arizona, trans-formed a desert wash into alinear park with extensivebicycle and walking trailsand opportunities for activerecreation.



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Cultural ActivitiesEfforts to establish a community theater or a facility foroutdoor concerts are best furthered with other groups inthe community that might share those interests. The costof renovation is high, but with enough enthusiasm, itmight be possible to find a suitable space to renovate,perhaps an old church or an old school building. A com-munity theater support group might begin with supportfrom the local high school or college drama club andinvolve recent graduates and certainly include the localcommunity theater group. Similarly, an outdoor concertfacility would require support from school musical pro-grams and those in the community who participate incommunity bands or choir groups. Full attendance at cul-tural programs will help to increase enthusiasm, and, ifenough interest emerges, a local patron might be movedto offer a lead gift to start a fund-raising effort to build anew facility. With enough interest, it might be possible topropose a ballot initiative that would give the city theright to sell revenue bonds to build a theater.

A museum can emerge, at least initially, in a modest ren-ovated space. The local historical society and the locallibrary may be excellent partners here.

ResourcesThe Active Living Network (www.activeliving.org) seeksto create places that integrate physical activity into dailylife. The mission of the organization is to build and sup-port a national coalition of leaders committed to promot-ing the connection between built environments andhealth.

International Council on Active Aging (ICAA)/LifeFitness facility planning and design section providesinformation gained from planning thousands of fitnessfacilities over the years (http://www.icaa.cc/aaw.htm).

The National Center for Bicycling and Walking helps cre-ate neighborhoods and communities where people walkand bicycle (http://www.bikewalk.org).

Other useful resources include:

National Blueprint: Increasing Physical Activity AmongAdults, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2001(www.agingblueprint.org)

Creating Communities for Active Aging, Partership forPrevention, 2001. This, with many other usefulresources, is available from the InternationalCity/County Management Association (ICMA).(http://icma.org/main/topic.asp?tpid=31&hsid=1)

Jackson, R. J., and C. Kochtitzky. Creating a HealthyEnvironment: The Impact of the Built Environment onPublic Health, (http://www.cdc.gov/healthyplacse.arti-cles.htm). The CDC website includes a section on design-ing and building healthy places(http://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces).

American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org)

Sprawl Watch (www.sprawlwatch.org)

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (www.rwjf.org)


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THE CARINGCOMMUNITY

IntroductionA livable community is a caring community. It is a com-munity where volunteers help each other and offer thekind of support that allows older residents to live inde-pendently. Volunteering benefits not only those receivinghelp but it also gives those who provide the service asense of worth and belonging.

Organizations and individuals offering care andsupport include nonprofit agencies, faith-basedgroups, and service professionals. The range ofservice opportunities is similarly broad, from anact of kindness to one individual to an effort toright a wrong dealt to the older adult population.This section, therefore, only begins to explore therange of venues for caring and caregiving in liv-able communities.

Many communities recognize older people'sdesire to continue living independent, active livesand have instituted programs to support thisability. For example, many communities haveestablished telephone helplines that help peoplefind out about and a range of services, such astransportation, home care, or volunteer opportu-nities. Some communities distribute similarkinds of information in published resource guidesor sponsor various programs to help older people

meet basic needs and maintain mobility.

In a caring community, the needs of older adults for con-tinued independence also include the need for socialinteraction, either with other older people their own ageor with younger people who share their interests. Theseopportunities vary and include community festivals,church socials, community-wide football rivalries, andcounty fairs. Others find opportunities for lifelong educa-tion in book groups or computer classes. Cafés specifical-ly designed for older residents are beginning to catch onin some areas by offering programs, discussions, and con-versation to attract older adults.

Meals ProgramsFor some older residents the challenge is in meetingbasic needs. Many communities recognize this challengeand are responding. In others, these needs are stillunmet.


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For example, meals can be a challenge. Some people findgetting to the grocery store and preparing food to be diffi-cult. Others have lost interest in fixing a balanced mealfor themselves and resort to eating whatever is available,and many cannot afford well-balanced, nutritious food.Meals-on-wheels programs across the country respond tothis need by delivering one balanced meal a day.Depending on the community, the programs may bemanaged by faith-based groups, senior centers, or othercommunity-based organizations, and volunteers or socialservice vans deliver the meals. Because this program iswell established in most communities, the challenge isreaching all those who need the service. Volunteers arealways needed to help deliver meals and offer compan-ionship.

Older residents who are able to travel can congregate atmeal sites where they find not only healthy meals butalso the opportunity to socialize with others. In somesenior center meal sites, the meal is preceded or followedby an informational program or recreational opportunity.For residents in rural areas, social service agencies mayprovide public transportation vehicles to bring residentsto the meal site several times a week. These van ridesthemselves become an opportunity for social interaction.Food for these meal programs is provided by the eldernutrition program of the area agency on aging, and thoseattending may make a small contribution, but older vol-unteers are always welcome to help with cooking, serv-ing, and cleanup. In addition to these publicly subsi-dized meals, faith-based groups in many communitiesoffer meals and conversation or social programs once ortwice a week.

Homemaking Services For some individuals, house cleaning becomes an increas-ingly difficult chore. A homemaking service may alleviatethis burden. It is important to select a firm that has astrong reputation in the area and has bonded employees.A contract for services is important to establish a com-mon set of expectations. Services provided by these firmsmight include laundry, running errands, and light house-keeping. In some communities, the helpline can offer sug-gestions on where to start. Those meeting income qualifi-cations may be eligible for assistance in covering costs ofthis service.


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Home RepairsHome repair is also an important component of inde-pendent living. It can be difficult to find reputablerepairmen who will do the job without charging fees thatare beyond the means of many older residents on fixedincomes. Stories abound of older residents charged forrepairs that were never completed or who engaged repairpersons who were not qualified to perform the work. Inmany communities telephone scam artists offering vari-ous types of home improvement services have takenadvantage of older adult residents. To protect homeown-ers, some senior centers maintain a list of home repairprofessionals who have worked effectively with older peo-ple in the community. Local home improvement storesalso keep lists of reputable repair people. Your groupmay want to start your efforts in this area by establish-ing such a list based on your members' knowledge of andexperience with reputable and competent repair people.

Support Groups

The number and types of support groups in each commu-nity vary. However, many communities have organizedgroups focused on the needs of caregivers for patientswith particular diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's dis-ease, or diabetes. There are also more general caregiversupport groups. In addition, most communities have hos-pice programs that are managed through the county,nursing homes, or faith-based communities. Medicalfacilities are usually aware of these various supportgroups, and in communities with helplines, this informa-tion is readily available.

Legal SupportThough most interactions among members of a communi-ty are positive and caring, sometimes problems occurthat require legal solutions. Elder abuse in nursinghomes, victimization by scams, medical care issues, andestate planning issues are just a few examples of areasthat require specialized legal assistance. Many older res-idents do not know where to turn for legal help.

The local Area Agency on Aging can direct older resi-dents to people in the community who provide legal serv-ices. This type of information also can be available on aphone helpline. A number of local bar associations pro-vide legal services for the elderly, and law schools oftenprovide legal aid clinics.


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"Elderly Transportation andErrand Running," sponsoredby North Central Caregiversof Austin, is an Austin,Texas, program in whichvolunteers use their owncars to take older residentsto doctors' appointments,grocery shopping, or to runerrands. These volunteerseither drop them off andpick them up later or staywith them.

The SAIL (Senior AdultIndependent Living) pro-gram mandated by the AreaAgency on Aging inMaricopa County, Arizona,provided homemaking andchore service for more than3,000 clients in 2002.


Elder Law: A Growing Field toAssist Older PeopleElder law focuses on some key con-cerns of older people. Lawyers whopractice elder law handle a range ofissues but have a specific type ofclients -- older persons. They recognizethat an older person's legal problemscan be a unique function of the agingprocess and complex, so they take aholistic approach to older adult issues.The elder law practitioner typicallyhandles

- general estate planning issuesand counsels clients about plan-ning for incapacity with alter-native decision-making docu-ments;

- planning for long-term care needs, includinghome care services and Medicaid; andguardianship.

Often, the attorney works with a caregiver and may beable to offer information about home care, nursinghomes, and adult day care.

Other Support OpportunitiesCommunities have many other formal and informalopportunities to support residents and demonstrate thequalities of a caring community. For example, a note lefton a library bulletin board requesting help in meetingthe special needs of a severely disabled resident in anolder adult home quickly caught the attention of a mem-ber of a local church, and the church sprang into action.Senior centers and veteran's organizations are similarlysupportive of the needs of their members. Some commu-nities see a need for a stronger support base and move tofill in that gap.

The volunteer hours that older residents offer to theircommunities are large in number and varied in nature-inhospitals where they staff the reception desk and the giftshop; in senior centers where they coordinate most of theprograms; in faith-based groups where they offer a help-


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The Area Agency on Agingin Maricopa County man-ages an Eldervention pro-gram to support and reas-sure lonely or secluded olderadults who are at risk ofdepression or suicide. The Glendale HumanServices Council (Arizona)has partnered with othersocial service groups to coor-dinate the Domestic OlderVictims Empowerment andSafety (DOVES) program,which offers a transitionalhousing program for victimsof late-life domestic violenceand elder abuse.


ing hand at dinners, rummage sales, and in educationalprograms; and in age-restricted communities where theytake on responsibility for social and support services.

Intergenerational programs can be a particularly reward-ing way for people to support their communities. TheRetired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and fostergrandparent program are nationally known for involvingolder residents in helping schoolchildren with readingand a sympathetic ear. Coordinated through the AreaAgency on Aging, RSVP is closely affiliated with schooldistricts all over the country, and older residents play avaluable role as teacher's aides. These programs do farmore than offer children help with their reading-theyhelp to build bonds between the generations.


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In a type of reverse fostergrandparent program, agroup of youths fromHempstead, New York, whohave mild developmentaldisabilities assisted resi-dents of an elder housingfacility once a week. Each ofthe youths has adopted agrandparent who is unableto get out to the grocerystore. With the help of theirteacher, the youths do thegrocery shopping for theiradopted grandparent and atthe same time learn impor-tant skills of personal self-reliance.


COMMUNITYSERVICES SURVEY


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Review and DefineReview the sample Caring surveyDefine the community to assess

Gather MaterialsStreet mapsClipboardsNote paper or handheld voice recorder (if desired)Pens, pencils, highlightersComfortable walking shoes and clothingCamera (if desired)

Collect Useful Background MaterialGet census information on sections of the community with significant numbers of older residents

Enlist Allies and PartnersLocal library staffLocal Area Agency on Aging staffLocal social support commmunity organizations (e.g., meals-on-wheels programs)Faith CommunitiesLaw firms with elder law practicesOther:



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1. Does your community have an information hotline or adirectory of services for older persons?

YES NO

2. Are programs that are offered for the older adult popu-lation well publicized?

YES NO

3a. Does the community offer a meals-on-wheels pro-gram?

YES NO

3b. How do people in need get access to that service?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3c. How do people find out about opportunities to volun-teer?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4a. Are there opportunities for congregate meals for olderresidents in the community?

YES NO

4b. Are they widely publicized?

YES NO

5a. Is there a reliable source of information about homecare, cleaning services, and maintenance services forolder adults?

YES NO

5b. Where is this information available?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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5c. Is it widely publicized and updated regularly?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6a. Does the community have specialized support groupsfor older residents and their caregivers?

YES NO

6b. How is information about those groups shared ?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7a. Are there easily accessible opportunities for informalsharing and social interaction that would appeal to olderresidents (e.g., cafés, bookstores)?

YES NO

7b. How do new people in the community find out aboutthese and get involved?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8a. Is there a hotline or other communication system tohelp potential volunteers learn about the type of servicesneeded?

YES NO

8b. Where is this information available?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9a. Does the community offer intergenerational pro-grams?

YES NO


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9b. How do residents find out about them and getinvolved?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. Is there a legal services program for olderpersons in the community?

YES NO

11. Is a listing of elder law attorneys availablefrom the local or state bar association?

YES NO

12. Does the senior center, library, or othergroup in your community offer programs orseminars on legal issues of interest to olderpopulations?

YES NO

13. Is there a hotline to report abuse or neglect of olderindividuals?

YES NO

Planning and Carrying Out Next StepsHaving inventoried current services and support net-works in your community, discuss whether there may bean area of concern that has not yet been addressed.Review information on the Internet or materials providedby the local Area Agency on Aging to consider options forresponding to that need. Identify and approach theagency or association in your community that is responsi-ble for this issue to discuss your findings and explorehow you can work together to respond to newly uncov-ered needs.

If your community does not have a directory of resourcesor a hotline, consider volunteering to assemble an initialdata bank. Establishing an interactive hotline is a majortask and requires funding to maintain it. However, evena community resource page at the senior center and thelibrary would be a good place to start. Even better wouldbe adding this information to a community page on the


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Internet that could be updated continually.

If you do not have an elder lawyer in the community,consider hosting a workshop and inviting an elder lawyerto participate. Most helpful would be a series of work-shops in which a lawyer could point out the major issuein the first session followed by a discussion of areas ofparticular interest to participants in a second session. Alegal clinic would be a logical follow-up if there is a lawschool in the area that would be interested in participat-ing.

ResourcesThe range of resources available to the caring communityreflects the breadth of the subject itself. Each group ofvolunteers will need to prioritize community needs andbuild on the interests and expertise of individual partici-pants. The following resources can help you learn aboutresources in your community.

The U.S. Administration on Aging (www.aoa.gov) has acomprehensive website and the National AgingInformation Center, which can provide a series of factsheets (http://www/aoa.gov/factsheets/enp.html).

The Aging Network developed by the Florida office of theAdministration on Aging has a helpful list of organiza-tions that provide services to older persons(http://www.mfaag.org/techinfo/agingnetwork).

The Senior Resource Center (www.seniorresource.com)provides a wide variety of resources specifically helpfulfor aging in place. The center focuses on naturally occur-ring retirement communities (NORCs) in contrast to con-tinuing care retirement communities (CCRCs).

The Area Agency on Aging in some individual communi-ties and counties offers helpful resource directories onavailable services. For example, Pasco and Pinellas coun-ties, Florida, offer a comprehensive guide to services(available through the Area Agency on Aging). In SantaCruz, California, a complete directory of services forolder adults is available on the Internet(http://www.seniornetworkservices.org/directory). InMaricopa County, Arizona, the Area Agency on Agingdistributes a guide with commentary for caregiverstitled, “Caring for Loved Ones."

Telephone helplines offer an efficient, effective way tofind out about service providers and can be found in thetelephone book.

Some communities have published resource directoriesspecifically tailored to the needs of older adults. Forexample, the Elder Resource Guide distributed by theMaricopa County AoA, lists the public and private organ-izations that provide specific services to people who needthem. (http://www.aaaphx.org/main/guide/default.asp)

The AoA in Pasco and Pinellas counties, Florida, distrib-utes a directory that lists all types of available services,including services for people with Alzheimer's disease,and a section answering frequently asked questions, suchas: How do I resolve consumer problems? How do I applyfor disabled parking? How should I select a home careprovider? How do I select an Elder Law Attorney? (http://www.agingcarefl.org/caregiver/howTo)

Some sources of information are directed to specificregions. For example, the range of services in themideast directory includes everything from Alzheimerrespite support to transportation. It even includes namesof appropriate speakers from a local speakers' bureau(http://www.mid-eastaaa.org/guide.html).

In more rural areas, a common directory may listresources available in a multicounty area. For example,Huntingdon, Bedford, and Fulton counties in centralPennsylvania maintain a common website(http://www.nb.net/~hbfaaa/).

The Senior Corps website includes links to individualstates with information about volunteer opportunities forolder adults (www.seniorcorps.org). Senior Corps spon-sors the Foster Grandparent Program, in which older vol-unteers tutor and mentor children at risk; RSVP; and theSenior Companion Program. These programs involveolder adults in helping young schoolchildren learn how toread.


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Legal ResourcesThe National Senior Citizens Law Center, Washington,D.C. (202-887-5380) offers a broad range of links(www.nsclc.org).

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys(www.naela.org)

Senior Cyborgs: Legal Resources on the web(www.online96.com/seniors/legal.html)Meals-on-Wheels Information

The Meals on Wheels website includes information oneligibility and services as well as information on opportu-nities for volunteering (http://www.mowaa.org).

Health Care ResourcesThe National Association for Homecare and HospiceCommunities maintains a website at Homecare Online(www.nahc.org).

Faith-based groups are often a primary source of infor-mation about local assistance with health issues andhome care. For example, the Catholic Church maintainsa website, Ministry Home Care, focused on furtheringwellness and healthier communities in the Oshkosh,Wisconsin, area (www.ministryhomecare.org).

Home Repair ResourcesA national directory of assistance programs lists contactsfor the weatherization program, low-income energy assis-tance, and contacts regarding assistance programs invarious states (www.seniorcitizens.com).

The New York Foundation for Senior Citizens offersinformation on repair and safety services that are gener-ally of interest as well as a description of the HomeSafety Audit Program available to older residents in NewYork City (www.nyfsc.org/services/repair.html).The National Association of the Remodeling Industryoffers a site highlighting community efforts to rehabili-tate homes of older, low-income residents (www.nari.org).


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Of particular note are two sites on community volunteerefforts: Rebuilding Together in Tampa Bay, Florida(www.buildingtogethertampabay.org) and a major volun-teer involvement program in Cincinnati and northernKentucky (www.pwchomerepairs.org).


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4 MOREINFORMATION

AND CONTACTS

PART


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An increasing number of agencies and groups are focus-ing on livable communities; each brings a slightly differ-ent perspective to the subject. Together, however, theyoffer valuable insight into and perspective on how com-munities can achieve the quality of life that we all needand desire.

OrganizationsOne organization that is involved with assisting in creat-ing livable communities is the Funders' Network forSmart Growth and Livable Communities. This organiza-tion has published a series of papers that focus on thepractical aspects of how to create smarter, more livablecommunities. A series of papers, Livable Communities @Work, highlights successful strategies. The Funders'Network can be contacted at www.fundersnetwork.org.

The National Association of County and City HealthOfficials (http://www.NACCHO.ORG) recently held aseries of focus groups among local public health agenciesthat addressed the link between environmental healthand land-use planning and chronic disease and land-useplanning. This involved making communities moreamenable to walking, bicycling, or other forms of dailyrecreation.

The International City/County Managers Association(ICMA) is the professional and educational organizationfor city managers and administrators, and helps servethe training and research needs of communities of allsizes. The ICMA website provides the public with a vari-ety of information on community development, active liv-ing, and aging-in-place.(http://www.icma.org/main/sc.asp)

The U.S. Department of Transportation provides aNational Transportation Enhancements clearinghouse toshare information on projects that have been fundedthrough the Federal Transportation Acts. Types of eligi-ble projects include pedestrian and bicycle facilities andsafety activities, acquisition of scenic or historic ease-ments, landscaping and scenic beautification, and preser-vation of abandoned railway corridors (possibly as scenictrails) (http://www.enhancements.org). To find your statecoordinator contact information visit the above website orcall 888-388-NTEC.

The Area Agency on Aging, Center for Communicationand Consumer Services, has a website that includes afull directory of programs and services available for olderadults and caregivers (http:///www.aoa.dhhs.gov/). Forthose without access to the Internet, the Information onAging Elder Locator is available at 800-677-1116.

The State of Florida's Department of Elder Affairs coor-dinates an Elder Ready Community Program that mobi-lizes residents to take a closer look at their own commu-nity by collecting a variety of documents and assemblingkey information. Data collected notes such key aspects ofa community inventory as demographics, tax base, shop-ping opportunities, and housing types. A group of oldervolunteers assembles the information and sends it to arepresentative of the Department of Elder Affairs forreview. Communities with adequate resources are thencertified as "elder ready." The assumption is that areas ofconcern will surface during the inventory and become afocus for community action. (http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us)

Partners for Livable Communities provides technicalassistance to cities, counties, and states to help themaddress the needs of community growth and an agingpopulation. Their website discusses a number of issuesand programs, and provides several valuable case stud-ies. (http://www.livable.com/index.htm)

The Visiting Nurse Service of New York, through theAdvantAge Iniative, offers valuable data on the needsand preferences of older persons, as well as case studiesand best practices on addressing the physical health andwell being of older persons.(http://www.vnsny.org/advantage/index.html)

Resources to Assist Groups to Organize for Advocacy

FirstGov for Seniors, maintained by the U.S. Departmentof Health and Human Services, serves as a consumergateway for federal government agencies, programs, andpolicies. It offers advice on such issues as nutrition, dis-ease prevention, and health care


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Hempstead, New YorkIn Hempstead, New York,several serious car-pedestri-an accidents occurred duringthe spring of 2002 as olderresidents tried to hurry acrossa major four-lane street to getto the grocery store on theother side. The president ofthe tenants’ association atthe senior public housingfacility decided to take on theissue. She mobilized othersand invited a representativeof the local media to visit thesite and interview local resi-dents. The story was coveredin the local press, and thetenants’ group pressed on.They visited directly with thecounty supervisor, againpointing out the safety issue,and the untenable situation ofstranding a large senior popu-lation on one side of a busystreet and preventing themfrom accessing basic needs.Their efforts paid off. In May2002, a traffic light with apedestrian walking signal wasinstalled at the intersectionadjacent to the housing facility.


(http://www.seniors.gov). Another site (http://www.elder-care.gov) serves as a directory of the Older AmericansAct state and local information and assistance network.

The Center for Community Change is committed toreducing poverty and rebuilding low-income communitiesby helping people to develop the skills and resources theyneed to improve their communities as well as changepolicies and institutions that affect their lives adversely.(http://www.communitychange.org)

The National Neighborhood Coalition (http://www.neigh-borhoodcoalition.org) serves as a crucial link toWashington, D.C., for neighborhood and community-based organizations and community leaders. It serves asan important networking resource for representatives ofregional and national organizations involved in commu-nity development, housing, and a wide range of othercommunity livability issues.

Issues such as changes in Medicare benefits or improvedhealth insurance may require allies well beyond an indi-vidual community. A number of states have senior legis-latures or senior legislative days that can be very effec-tive in furthering this type of issue.

AARP Public Policy InstituteThe AARP Public Policy Institute makes available anumber of papers on key housing, transportation, andcommunity services issues. Publications are listed athttp://www.aarp.org/research/ppi/ or can be orderedthrough IL/LTC Team, Public Policy Institute, 601 EStreet NW, Washington, D.C. 20049 or fax 202-434-6402.

Beyond 50: Livable Communities, CreatingEnvironments for Successful AgingThis report is the fifth in AARP's Beyond 50 series. Thisreport explores the connections between a livable com-munity and community engagement among its residentsand shows how both affect the "successful aging" of itsresidents. (May 2005)

Beyond 50: A Report to the Nation on IndependentLiving and DisabilityThis report, the third in AARP's Beyond 50 series, takesan in-depth look at the roles of supportive services, fami-


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ly and community, and our social and physical environ-ments in enhancing the independence of age 50+ personswith disabilities. (Apr 2003)

Accessibility and Visitability Features in Single-familyHomes: A Review of State and Local ActivityThis paper reviews the methods that various state andlocal jurisdictions are using to promote accessibility fea-tures in new single-family homes. (Mar 2002)

Adding Assisted Living Services To Subsidized Housing:Serving Frail Older Persons With Low IncomesThis study documents the potential need for supportiveservices among the older residents in federally subsi-dized housing and reports on 17 case studies of housingprojects for older persons that offer assisted living servic-es. (Jan 2002)

Serving the Affordable Housing Needs of Older Low-Income Renters: A Survey of Low-Income Housing TaxCredit PropertiesThis paper presents the results of a survey of nearly1,600 owners of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit rentalproperties, and addresses important topics related to theprovision of affordable and appropriate rental housing forolder persons. (Apr 2002)

The Impact of Federal Programs on Transportation forOlder Adults This report describes federal programs and activitieswith the greatest direct impact on transportation andcommunity mobility of older individuals. (Dec 2004)

Understanding Senior Transportation: Report andAnalysis of a Survey of Consumers 50+.This report examines how older individuals travel intheir communities, how much they travel, and the prob-lems they perceive with their various transportationmode choices. (Mar 2002)

Transportation and Older Persons: Perceptions andPreferences - A Report on Focus GroupsThis report presents the results of focus groups andinterviews that explored the perceptions and preferencesof persons age 75 and older about transportation. (Jul2001)


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Coordinated Transportation SystemsThis report provides examples of transportation pro-grams that pool their resources in order to provide effi-cient and affordable community mobility. (Sep 2000)

Other Resources The Urban Land Institute has published several booksthat are particularly relevant to issues associated withlivable communities, including:

Brecht, Susan. Analyzing Seniors' HousingMarkets. Washington, D.C.: Urban Land Institute,2002.

Suchman, Diane. Developing Infill Housing inInner-City Neighborhoods: Opportunities andStrategies. Washington, D.C.: Urban LandInstitute, 1997.

Kulash, Walter. Residential Streets, 3rd ed.Washington, D.C.: Urban Land Institute andNational Home Builders Association, 2002.

An Inventory of Canadian Programs for the Prevention ofFalls and Fall-Related Injuries Among Seniors Living inthe Community.Division of Aging and SeniorsHealth Canada, Address Locator 1908 A1Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1B4(http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/pubs/invento-ry/intro_e.htm)

National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC)1101 14th Street NW, Suite 400Washington, D.C. 20005(http://www.nsclc.org)

National Council on Aging (NCOA)409 3rd Street SW, Suite 200Washington, D.C. 20024(http://www.ncoa.org)

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A)927 15th Street NW, 6th FloorWashington, D.C. 2005(http://www.n4a.org)


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601 E Street, NW

Washington, DC 20049

http://www.aarp.org/ppi

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