Blueprint Helps America's Communities Prepare for an Aging Population.A Blueprint for Action Based on Findings of "The Maturing of America" Study, the Most Comprehensive Report Ever on Aging Readiness WASHINGTON -- How prepared are America's communities to handle the needs of the burgeoning aging population? With the rapid rise in the number of aging Baby Boomers See generation X. - by 2030 one in every five Americans will be over the age of 65 - localities are now challenged to provide accessible transportation, appropriate affordable housing options and other supportive services for their aging citizens. "A Blueprint for Action: Developing a Livable Community for All Ages," which was released today, provides cities and counties with detailed strategies, practical tools and proven solutions they can use to prepare for the large Baby Boomer baby boomer also ba·by-boom·er n. A member of a baby-boom generation. Noun 1. baby boomer - a member of the baby boom generation in the 1950s; "they expanded the schools for a generation of baby boomers" boomer population. Funded by MetLife Foundation and produced in collaboration with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) and Partners for Livable Communities, the Blueprint was unveiled at a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., and is being made available to localities across the country. A copy of the Blueprint is available at www.n4a.org. The Blueprint is a response to the findings of a survey released last year that found that a majority of America's cities and counties are not yet prepared for the age wave that will soon hit them. "The purpose of this Blueprint is to provide local leaders with the tools they need to meet the needs of a maturing population," said Sandy Markwood, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. , National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a). "Early recognition of the impact that the aging boom will have upon communities of all shapes and sizes will enable government agencies to better plan for the future and identify new opportunities that will meet these needs. Given the magnitude of this demographic shift, partnerships across agencies and among various sectors within communities will be required." The comprehensive Blueprint provides communities with detailed procedures and practical solutions in the areas of housing, planning and zoning, transportation, health and supportive services, public safety, civic engagement, culture and lifelong learning Lifelong learning is the concept that "It's never too soon or too late for learning", a philosophy that has taken root in a whole host of different organisations. Lifelong learning is attitudinal; that one can and should be open to new ideas, decisions, skills or behaviors. . It suggests that every area of local government has a role to play in creating livable communities for people of all ages, and draws on the most innovative and effective practices of communities throughout the country to illustrate what can be done. In addition, the Blueprint recommends that local leaders should advance "aging in place Aging in place is growing older without having to move.[1] According to the Journal of Housing for the Elderly, it is not having to move from one's present residence in order to secure necessary support services in response to changing needs. " priorities by adding a perspective on aging to all plans, programs, and policies that exist or are under development. "Many people want to age in place," said Sibyl sibyl (sĭb`ĭl), in classical mythology and religion, prophetess. There were said to be as many as 10 sibyls, variously located and represented. The most famous was the Cumaean sibyl, described by Vergil in the Aeneid. Jacobson, president, MetLife Foundation. "The Blueprint provides a resource for communities as they plan to meet the needs of an unprecedented older population. The goal is to create livable communities for all ages, young and old alike." The Blueprint encourages communities to assemble teams of public and private leaders to assess a community's aging readiness and then take focused action. Through a six-step strategy, it helps public policymakers develop goals, pull resources together, and find ways to promote success as a means to further improvement. It also includes "leading innovations" in communities throughout the country and helpful resources to secure additional information. "The vast majority of Americans want to remain in their communities as they age," said Robert H. McNulty, president and CEO, Partners for Livable Communities. "Contrary to popular belief, only a fraction move to warmer climates when they retire. Most Americans choose to age in place in the same communities where they have long lived. Every community, from fast growing suburbs to more stable rural areas, will need to adapt to a maturing population. This Blueprint helps people to do exactly that." During the conference, a panel of experts discussed the urgent need for communities to act, as well as specific programs in communities that are actually working. The discussion featured: Peter Harkness, editor and publisher of Governing magazine Governing is a national monthly magazine, edited and published since 1987 in Washington, D.C., whose subject area is state and local government in the United States. The magazine covers policy, politics and the management of government enterprises. ; John Wren John Wren (3 April 1871 - 26 October 1953), Australian businessman, has become a legendary figure thanks mainly to a fictionalised account of his life in Frank Hardy's novel Power Without Glory, which was also made into a television series. , Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Noun 1. Department of Health and Human Services - the United States federal department that administers all federal programs dealing with health and welfare; created in 1979 Health and Human Services, HHS (HHS HHS Department of Health and Human Services. ); and syndicated columnist Neal Peirce. The Blueprint for Action was developed by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) and Partners for Livable Communities in partnership with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA ICMA International City/County Management Association ICMA International Computer Music Association ICMA Institute of Certified Management Accountants (Australia) ICMA Institute of Cost and Management Accountants ), www.icma.org, National Association of Counties (NACo), www.naco.org and National League of Cities The National League of Cities is the oldest and largest organization in the United States devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. (NLC NLC National League of Cities NLC National Library of Canada NLC National Library of China NLC Northern Lights College (British Columbia, Canada) NLC North Lake College (Irving, Texas) ), www.nlc.org. The Maturing of America survey was conducted by ICMA and n4a in collaboration with the same partnering organizations. The survey involved the responses of thousands of communities from across the country on the subject of "aging readiness," and a more in-depth survey to 500 communities whose initial responses indicated a high degree of preparedness. About the Funder MetLife Foundation - Established in 1976 by MetLife to carry on its long-standing tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. The Foundation has been involved in a variety of aging-related initiatives addressing issues of caregiving, intergenerational in·ter·gen·er·a·tion·al adj. Being or occurring between generations: "These social-insurance programs are intergenerational and all activities, mental fitness, health and wellness programs and civic involvement. Since 1986, the Foundation has supported research on Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (ăls`hī'mərz, ôls–), degenerative disease of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex that leads to atrophy of the brain and senile dementia. through its Awards for Medical Research program and has contributed more than $10 million to efforts to find a cure. More information about the Foundation is available at www.metlife.org. About the Participating Organizations National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) - A leading voice on aging issues for Area Agencies on Aging across the country and a champion for Title VI-Native American aging programs in our nation's capital. Through its presence in Washington, D.C., n4a advocates on behalf of local aging agencies to ensure that needed resources and support services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services are available to older Americans and their caregivers. For more information, go to www.n4a.org. Partners for Livable Communities (Partners) - A national, non-profit organization working to renew communities for all ages. Partners has over twenty-five years of experience in solving community problems by providing information, leadership and guidance that help communities help themselves. www.livable.com. |
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