62. Contact information: Deborah Howe, PhD, FAICP Temple University Department of Community and Regional Planning 1-267-468-8301 dhowe@temple.edu
Editor's Notes
Aging is a process that begins the moment we are born. Web source: http://www.healthmango.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/aging.jpg
It involves growth, development and change. Web sources: http://www.thepediatrictherapyclinic.com/id1.htmlhttp://blog.rescue-mission.org/rescue-mission-youth-program/bid/49350/10-Ways-to-Prevent-a-Homeless-Child-From-Becoming-a-Homeless-Adulthttp://www.daddymojo.net/2010/07/danger-is-relative-to-the-size-of-the-person/http://www.positiveparentingsolutions.com/parenting/tips-for-parenting-separate-yet-successfullyhttp://www.militaryschoolalternatives.com/article-parent-and-friend.html
Aging enables us to do wonderful things in our lives—to raise families, to see the world, to lead productive lives and to stretch our limits in multitudinous ways. Web sources:http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2007/04/software-projects-as-rock-climbing.htmlhttp://www.visitingdc.com/new-york/grand-central-station-address.asphttp://www.affordablewebdezign.com/http://www.careerswithkids.com/parent-and-child-the-academic-team/http://www.metrolic.com/parents-and-children-relationship-115138/
Our abilities changes over time. In short, we begin to wear out. No surprise here, just think of all we ask of our bodies through the years!Strength, agility and fine motor control and decline in bone density can contribute to problems with balance and an increased risk of injuries from falls. Vision--lens of the eye becomes harder, less flexible, more yellow and more opaque contributing to myriad problems including difficulty in depth perception, increased sensitivity to glare and inability to focus on near objects such as written material. Hearing, taste, smell and skin sensitivity create challenges in daily life. Flexibility, reaction timeMental healthDementia affects half of all people aged 85 and older with impairments including loss of orientation, short- and long-term memory and ability to carry out sequential tasks along with slowed reaction time.
While aging is a very personal experience, it has enormous societal implications. Due to greater longevity, the number of older people is increasing dramatically.
And there is a significant increase in the oldest of the old.
Lower birth rates in combination with increased longevity is causing dramatic changes in our population pyramid. This means that not only are the numbers of older people increasing, but so is their of the total population. This begs the question of who is going to provide the necessary care and support of our elders? Source: Hobbs, Frank and Nicole Stoops.U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Special Reports, Series CENSR-4, Demographic Trends in the 20th Century, U.S. Government Printing Office,Washington, DC, 2002, page 53. Website is: http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/censr-4.pdf.
As we change so does our need for assistance which increases with age.
Will family be available?
The 2010 MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Adult Day Services, and Home Care CostsOctober 2010
Senior Citizens League estimated average social security benefits of $1,014 per month lost 51 percent of their spending power between 2000 and 2008 due to increases in energy, Medical, housing, insurance and other costs (2008). Didn’t address run up in energy costs in mid-2008 Loss of $2 trillion in retirement plans with the meltdown that began 2-3 years ago.Crossover point—when there aren’t enough buyers for the housing being sold due to old age.
This environment we have created does not support an aging society!Web sources:http://nicolemarie.umwblogs.org/2008/11/03/lifes-tough-in-the-suburbs/http://activerain.com/blogsview/499946/gainesville-va-single-family-homes-priced-350-000-to-500-000-gainesville-virginia-real-estate-http://www.prlog.org/10173068-incredible-financing-at-avignon-at-vinings.htmlhttp://activerain.com/blogsview/603124/franklin-tn-market-report-for-junehttp://www.theroskellyteam.com/Severn_Real_Estate/page_1966061.html
It is imperative that we vigorously pursue alternatives that provide this support such as….
JAPA--25% probability that a new dwelling will ultimately house a resident with a self-care limitation and a 60% probability of a resident with a physical limitation. These estimates rise to 53% and 91% respectively for disabled visitors (2008). VisitabilityOne zero-step entrance, Doorways that are at least 32 inches wideA half bathroom on the first floor.Requirements add on average $100 per concrete slab houses and $300-600 for houses with basements and crawl spaces.Pima County--visitability requirements in 2002 which resulted in 15,000 new, visitable housing units within five years. Mandatory visitability requirements have also been adopted in San Antonio and Austin, Texas as well as Bolingbrook, IllinoisWeb sourceshttp://adaptedlivingspaces.design-sherpa.com/design-and-build-trends/the-3-key-features-of-visitability/http://www.apapase.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=160:zoning-for-visitability&Itemid=86http://concretechange.org.accuwebhosting.biz/construction_gallery.aspxhttp://ambertracker.blogspot.com/2008/11/feminist-argument-for-visitability.html
Web sources:http://tabacco.blog-city.com/universal_design_unique_home_furnishing_ideas_newest_gadgetr_1.htmhttp://newsfromtheblock.com/tag/accessible-design/http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/universaldesign/universal_design_features.htmhttp://www.adapros.net/gallery/image-gallery-accessible-bathrooms/
Accessory apartments include separate dwelling units within the main structure of a single family home, backyard cottages, and apartments above garages. Web sourceshttp://www.motherearthnews.com/blogs/blog.aspx?blogid=2147484239&tag=neighborhood%20densityhttp://www.justupthepike.com/2008/08/illegal-apartment-or-three-families.htmlhttp://www.omegarealtyvt.com/intheworks/http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/index.cfm?a=309973&c=50833http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/archives/agendas/ca020624/13%20-%20attach%201-15%20-Northside%20attachs%20MC%206%2024%2002.htm
Mixed use is taking many exciting forms including housing above libraries, grocery stores and other retail uses. Once the purview of revitalizing downtowns, mixed uses can be increasingly found in suburban communities. For older adults, it represents an opportunity to downsize their housing and to move to locations that require less reliance on cars and offer the opportunityfor more physical activity which can support long term health. Web sourceshttp://www.cooltownstudios.com/2004/05/03/a-rather-lofty-supermarket/http://www.djc.com/news/re/11161876.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/dced/case/updis_p1.htmhttp://www.tcbmag.com/industriestrends/commercialrealestate/71796p1.aspxhttp://www.housingpolicy.org/toolbox/strategy/policies/diverse_housing_types.html?tierid=43
Transportation planners must comprehend the unique challenges faced by older drivers.Problems:Vision constraints such as cataracts and difficulty with focusing, confusion and disorientation, slower reaction time, difficulty looking over ones shoulder, reactions to medications such as drowsiness and dizzinessWeb sourceshttp://www.topspeed.com/cars/teen-driving/elderly-driver/the-concern-for-elderly-drivers-ar32025/picture164123.htmlhttp://www.fortworthinjuryattorneyblog.com/2010/06/study-finds-elderly-drivers-sa.htmlhttp://iahsa.wordpress.com/2010/11/17/elderly-drivers/
Which includes finding creative ways of understanding the range of limitations in movement, vision, reaction time, etc. Web source:http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/nissan-using-special-suit-to-simulate-elderly-drivers/
We need to design our road system to accommodate walkers, bicyclists and motorized wheel chairs:GreaterwidthRemoval of potential hazards such as cracks and gaps in tree well gratesHand railings Longer walk signal timesPedestrian refuge in the middle of the street. Low level lighting to remove shadows cast by street lights. Web sources:http://helpwithmobility.com/http://www.walkinginfo.org/pedsmart/p.htmhttp://www.streetsblog.org/2007/12/17/city-pedestrian-crossings-are-discriminatory-by-design/http://www.copenhagenize.com/2011/01/electric-elderly-boogie-in-copenhagen.htmlhttp://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/04/new-york-unveils-plan-to-be-more-bicycle-friendly.php
Appropriately designed benches are needed with arm rests and a right angled seating arrangement. New designs need consideration that enable use by people with a range of abilities. Benches should be located throughout a community to provide frequent opportunities for older people to rest. Web sources:http://www.cyan-teak-furniture.com/acatalog/balmoral_corner_bench.phphttp://www.timescolonist.com/life/behaviours+raise+fraud+risks+study/4837627/story.htmlhttp://pedestrianvignettes.typepad.com/blog/benches/http://www.falco.fi/products/street-park-furniture/seatings-with-backrest/falcocompanion-seat/
Driving ImprovementsLegible signs in advance of intersections, Turning lanes that provide a refuge from on-coming traffic, Clearly demarcated entrances to the land uses along a road. Lower speed limits,Enhanced street lighting enhancedMaintenance of fog linesWeb source:http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/06jul/08.cfm
A recent AARP article indicated that there are over 300 aging focused livable communities initiatives throughout the US. This is heartening, but it is for from enough. Unfortunately, planners have given woefully little attention to the aging of society. This is already costing us dearly
I did a search of the word ‘aging’ in the printed program for this conference. What did I find?EngagingLeveragingManagingEncouragingAging office parksAging communities (not clear if that refers to demographics)And this session—the only one explicitly addressing the aging of society!
The needs of older adults are viewed predominately as a social service/care giving issue and thus not under the purview of mainstream community planning. The housing market is driven by buyers who are healthy and have adequate financial resources. There is a prevailing notion that people will move to more appropriate living situations when their needs change. Older adults are overlooked due to discrimination and society-wide lack of respect.
The needs of older adults are viewed predominately as a social service/care giving issue and thus not under the purview of mainstream community planning. The housing market is driven by buyers who are healthy and have adequate financial resources. There is a prevailing notion that people will move to more appropriate living situations when their needs change. Older adults are overlooked due to discrimination and society-wide lack of respect.
The needs of older adults are viewed predominately as a social service/care giving issue and thus not under the purview of mainstream community planning. The housing market is driven by buyers who are healthy and have adequate financial resources. There is a prevailing notion that people will move to more appropriate living situations when their needs change. Older adults are overlooked due to discrimination and society-wide lack of respect.
The needs of older adults are viewed predominately as a social service/care giving issue and thus not under the purview of mainstream community planning. The housing market is driven by buyers who are healthy and have adequate financial resources. There is a prevailing notion that people will move to more appropriate living situations when their needs change. Older adults are overlooked due to discrimination and society-wide lack of respect.
An aging perspective needs to be imbedded in all these paradigms thereby avoiding the problem with segregating aging as an issue and pitting one issue against another.
We do have options with respect to aging.We can do nothing and leave everyone to fend for themselves. This issue will resolve itself, people will just suffer and die.
We will miss a significant opportunity to humanize our communities, to transform our built environment and to stand tall for a higher purpose. We need to fully embrace the aging of society and all its attendant challenges.
