Livable Communities for Older People

Independence, services, and connection. How older people interact with their environment can have important consequences not only for their personal independence, but also for their ability to remain socially active and connected to the people around them. Poorly designed housing, inadequate sidewalks, limited mobility options, and few supportive services can make it difficult for people to remain active and engaged with friends, family, and neighbors. Conversely, a community that has incorporated design elements and opportunities for socialization can remain both vibrant and stable as a whole and supportive and enriching for the individual residents. To the extent that the elements of a place work well together, it can be described as a "livable community. " Though specific definitions vary somewhat depending on the audience and the context (American Institute of Architects, 2005; National Council on Disability, 2004; Partners for Livable Communities, 2001), it can be said that a livable community has affordable and appropriate housing, supportive community features and services, and adequate mobility options. Together, these elements facilitate personal independence and the engagement of residents in civic and social life. The importance of a livable community in promoting physical independence for older people has already been established (AARP, 2003). For instance, universal design, in the home-with features accessible for people of varying needs and abilities-can help older people conduct everyday activities as their needs change. A variety of mobility options (in addition to driving) such as ride-sharing, walking, and public transportation helps older people to keep appointments and provides important access to shopping and health services. And, although less research has been conducted about this aspect, livable communities are also recognized as important for connecting people to one another. That is, quality of life for many people includes opportunities for socializing, volunteering, engaging in religious and political activities, and providing and receiving informal support among neighbors and friends. In an effort to explore the complex relationship between community features and the participation of residents in social and civic activities, AARP's Public Policy Institute conducted a survey called Beyond 50.05 during the summer of 2004 (AARP, 2005). The researchers posed a series of questions regarding home and other elements of the community to a group of more than one thousand respondents age 50 and older. The survey also included an extensive set of questions on activities and the participants' perceptions of their own well-being. Many of those measures were adopted from the literature on "successful aging" and were supplemented with additional information about volunteerism, participation in social activities, political involvement, and the like (Phelan et al., 2004). HOUSE AND HOME The physical aspects of one's home are an important element of the livable community for many reasons. It is a setting that must be safe and secure and also is where people frequently interact with friends and neighbors, and it is the point at which people plan and prepare for social activities elsewhere. Consequently, a mismatch between home features and the needs of a resident can lead to a variety of problems. For instance, poorly designed or dimly lit stairs can make it difficult to navigate the home and can lead to anxiety about earning out everyday tasks. Steps at the entrance to the home that are difficult to navigate can be a barrier to getting out and enjoying the yard or neighborhood, where many informal relationships among neighbors occur. A poorly designed bathroom not only compromises personal independence, it can also discourage older people from participating in social events for which they would feel the need to go through a routine of grooming and "becoming presentable. …