what we've learned - epa's building healthy communities for active aging awards
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Kathy SykesSenior Advisor for Aging and Sustainability
Office of Research and Development, U.S. EPA
What We’ve Learned--EPA’s Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging
Awards
Urban Land Institute – Housing Opportunity 2014 Conference Session: Enabling Design for Health, Housing, and Happiness
May 16, 2014. Denver, CO
Aging in Community –What promotes a long and healthy life?
Systems Approach to Healthy Communities
“If a problem cannot be solved,
enlarge it.”
Dwight D. Eisenhower
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U.S. Population
Source of charts: U.S. Census Bureau, “65+ in the United States: 2005,” December 2005.
2000 2020 2040
Housing Problems for Older Adults
40% older persons (owners/renters) have housing problems
– mostly cost burden --greater than 30% of household Income
Source: Older Americans 2012
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Smart Growth Can Foster Healthy Communities & Active Aging
Provide environmental benefits
– Less air pollution
– Less water pollution
– Less sprawl
– Less traffic
– More open spaces
– Reduced GHGs
Promote physical activity
– More options to walk
– More bike lanes
– Better access to parks, trails, and recreational areas
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Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Awards
65 Supporting Agencies and Orgs.• 1000 Friends of Florida
• AARP• Active for Life • Administration on Aging • Alliance for Aging Research• Alliance for Healthy Homes • America Walks• American Medical Association• Assoc. of Pedestrians & Bike Professionals• American Planning Association• American Public Health Association • American Society on Aging • Association of Jewish Services• Atlanta Regional Commission • B’nai B’rith International• Catholic Health Association of the US• Center for Civic Partnerships • Cleveland Foundation• Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups• Concrete Change• Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists • Easter Seals Project ACTION• Elder Care Advocacy of Florida• Encore Leadership Corps • Enterprise• Generations United
• Gerontological Society of America • Grantmakers in Aging• Gray is Green• Gray Panthers• Greater Boston PSR• Healthy Aging Research Network
• Institute for Geriatric Social Work• International City/County Management Association• International Council on Active Aging • Local Government Commission • Maine Community Foundation• Milton H. Erickson Foundation, Inc.• Mobility Education• National Asian Pacific Center on Aging• National Assoc of Regional Councils • National Association of Area Agencies on Aging• National Blueprint Initiative• National Caucus and Center on Black Aged• National Center on Senior Transportation• National Complete Streets Coalition• National Council on Aging • National Indian Council on Aging • National Recreation and Park Association • National Senior Citizen's Law Center• New York Academy of Medicine• Older Women’s League• Partners for Livable Communities• Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety• Philadelphia Corporation for the Aging• Portland State University Institute on Aging• Project for Public Spaces• Rails-to-Trails Conservancy• Science and Environmental Health Network• Senior Citizen Services Inc.• Society for Human Ecology • U. Maine Center on Aging• Walkable and Livable Communities• Weinberg Foundation• WellMed Charitable Foundation
21 WinningApplications from Diverse Agencies
Lead Agency for Successful Award Applications
Regional COG
County
City or Town
Neighborhood
Area Agencies on Aging
City Manager/Mayor
Health
Housing
Parks & Recreation
Planning Dept
Transportation
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Atlanta's Lifelong Communities Initiative: ARC
Facilitated zoning changes & 30 elder housing developments located near services, connected to existing neighborhoods.
Decrease auto dependence. Voucher programs promote ride sharing.
Housing AuthorityQueen Anne’s County, MD2007 Commitment Award
Photo Courtesy of Candice Darling
Housing Authority collaborated with Dept of Parks/Rec and Safe Harbor Church to create network of new walking trails connected to county trail system.
Strong citizen involvement & agency partnerships helped to create an enriching environmentfor elders in Queen Anne's County.
Achievement Award 2011 Brazos COG, TX
Community received knowledge, training & confidence to self-manage chronic diseases
Survey Results Outcome Measures
• Levels of community involvement
• Participant surveys, program attendance, and number of classes taught
• number of organizations and agencies incorporating needs of elders into their strategic planning
Common Theme
Given the high costs of long-term care, and physical, mental, & emotional stress the most important goal is keep people residing and participating in community for as long as possible
– Worth trying anything to reach this goal
Most Important Change
• Town of Scarborough, Maine, approved several senior housing projects.
• County of San Mateo --created an environment where affordable housing developers and service providers could work together
• Kirkland, WA -- ongoing commitment to provide opportunities for active aging.
BVCOG, TX -- more affordable, accessible quality “senior friendly” housing developments with curb cuts and good lighting; and well designed walking trails.
Casper, WY -- made community pedestrian-friendly by adding new sidewalks, trails, and pathways throughout the community.
Most Important Change
Most Important Change
Satellite Beach, FL –Proactively addressing health care issues in older residents saves health care costs.
Reduction in Emergency Medical Services
Bryan: Involvement of the Business Community
Promoting walking trails in their storefronts, and luring residents to learn about downtown historic events and locations involves and helps local businesses.
Concerned citizens brought urban farming to downtown Bryan by planting a community garden on a vacant lot.
BRAZOS: Community Partnerships
By forming “Community Partnerships” and getting the whole community involved, many people are taking ownership & responsibility for implementing small pieces of the overall project.
This approach benefits entire community.
Conclusions
• The communities clearly demonstrated that strong leadership and multiple partnerships are vital for making lasting differences.
• The policy implications of the changes these communities achieved are promising. --changes help to support older residents, and beneficial to persons of all ages and abilities.
Take Away Message
“ If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. “
African Proverb
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Guidebook: A Resource for Community Volunteers
epa.gov/aging/bhc/guide/index.html23
Staying Active, Connected and Engaged--Mixed use--amenities, social connectivity
Development and Housing--Affordable, choices, ADUs
Transportation and Mobility--Choices, complete streets, walking clubs
Staying Healthy--Community garden, Village Model
RESOURCES
Join EPA’s Monthly newsletter
www.epa.gov/aging
EPA Website:
Growing Smarter, Living Healthier: A Guide to Smart Growth and Active Aging
Request copy of paper: Making the Right Moves
Award Booklets
Examples of Award Winners
Town of Scarborough, Maine
Kirkland, Washingtond, WA
Town of Scarborough, Maine Commitment Award Winner 2007
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Created the Senior Center without Walls
5 miles of walking trails 3 miles of sidewalks
Making it easy to incorporate work exercise into one’s daily
activities
Achievement Award: Kirkland, WA
The “Ped Flag” Program
Picture Courtesy of Betsy Maxwell
Kirkland offers over 50 physical activity programs designed specifically for older adults.
The Kirkland Steppers Walk Program is free for adults 50+.