Aging in Place

photo credit Lifetime Arts

Founded in 2008, Lifetime Arts promotes arts programming designed to engage older adults. A nonprofit organization, Lifetime Arts is committed to developing innovative programs which support creative aging and lifelong learning. To that end, Lifetime Arts offers a variety of services and programs. The organization is a clearinghouse for best practices; provides technical assistance, information services, and professional development to the individuals and organizations serving older adults through the arts; and helps to develop policy to enhance the quality of arts programs for older adults throughout the country.

As a service organization, Lifetime Arts developed Creative Aging in Our Communities: The Public Libraries Project, a program which demonstrates the viability and value of instructional arts programs offered in public libraries as a way to build a broad base of support for creative aging programming. The Public Libraries Project showcases the library as a center for access and learning for older adults; an “age-neutral” public space, the library is an accessible hub for older adults who are reluctant to go to senior centers, and is swiftly becoming an ideal center for programs that interest seniors.

Walkability is synonymous with less traffic, a higher quality of life, and more vibrant streetscapes. A new Brookings Institution study—Walk this Way: The Economic Promise of Walkable Places in Metropolitan Washington, D.C., by Christopher B. Lienberger and Mariela Alfonzo—highlights the economics behind walkabaility, and why walkable areas are worth more than previously thought.

Here is a section of sidewalk in Boston made from brick pavers. It’s clear that the lack of uniform sizes and heights could pose challenges for the disabled or elderly pedestrian. Photo credit Seldom Scene Photography.

Designers, planners, and members of the public have recently come into conflict over Boston’s historic use of molded brick in sidewalks and public spaces.  Some think the use of bricks represents the face of Boston, while others condemn them as obstacles to the disabled and elderly. The different viewpoints amount to an ownership debate on the city’s public space.

The City’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities maintains that traditional, molded bricks are unable to provide the smooth surfaces (meaning no height variations greater than a quarter of an inch) that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires. However, other professionals (landscape architects, historical preservationists, and the brick industry) affirm that the material itself is not to blame, but rather improper installation and maintenance. 

The 2007-2009 Aging in Place Workshops

Over the course of three years, 12 regional workshops on the Aging in Place initative were held around the United States. The workshops originally began with a trial pilot of two in 2007, held in Arizona and Tampa Bay; but due to the overwhelming success and the amount of awareness raised, Partners and n4a continued to hold a nother 10 workshops over the course of two more years. This brought regional expertise and and local awareness to national and pressing issues, with a strong focus on building community ties and partnerships for solving issues affecting older adults. 

Each workshop was focused on a particular theme. The theme reflected a local issue of interest and will also focus on an area of Aging in Place that the community has just begun (or not even begun) to explore. National and local experts on Aging in Place and the specific theme joined workshop participants in a panel discussion addressing local and national challenges around the theme, examples of success stories, and opportunities for both local and national action.

The workshops were free and opened to the general public. The intended audience was that of civic leaders, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, private and local businesses, and the older population. Each workshop had an agenda of a half a day discussion, with local audience members and community leaders participating in the process. Each community and workshop was chosen by MetLife Foundation, and the themes were actively chosen by the communities themselves. 

The “JumpStart the Conversation” Grants

The second component of the workshops were the opportunity for local groups to partner and take community-wide action on Aging in Place. Partners awarded 10 partnerships, tied to the workshop communities, a small grant each to create an action plan to solve a problem relating to Aging in Place or an opportunity for the initiative to prosper in the community. With the help and support of MetLife Foundation, each community was able to complete their targeted goal and push further with creating a more livable community for all ages. 

It is envisioned that these action plans and project grants were the first steps toward a more comprehensive community effort. These grants applications covered a range of topics written to fund a town meeting to gather input on local assets and challenges, community mapping of the many assets available, sidewalk benches at appropriate locations, or the exploration of para-transit options functioning in other localities.

About the Aging in Place Team: 

MetLife Foundation: 

MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 to carry on MetLife’s longstanding tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. The Foundation is committed to building a secure future for individuals and communities worldwide. Through programs focusing on empowering older adults, preparing young people and building livable communities, MetLife Foundation increases access and opportunities for people of all ages.  Since it was established, MetLife Foundation has made more than $530 million in grants and $75 million in program related investments. Learn more about MetLife Foundation. 

Partners for Livable Communities (Partners)

Partners is a non-profit leadership organization working to improve the livability of communities by promoting quality of life, economic development, and social equity. Since its founding in 1977, Partners has helped communities set a common vision for the future, discover and use new resources for community and economic development, and build public/private coalitions to further their goals.

Partners promotes livable communities through technical assistance, leadership training, workshops, charettes, research and publications. More than 1,200 individuals and groups from local, state, national, international, public and private and media organizations make up Partners’ resource network and share innovative ideas on livability and community improvement. Learn more about Partners for Livable Communities. 

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a)

n4a is a leading voice on aging issues for Area Agencies on Aging across the country and a champion for Title VI-Native American aging programs. Through its presence in Washington, D.C., n4a advocates on behalf of the local aging agencies to ensure that needed resources and support services are available to older Americans and their caregivers. Learn more about the National Associations of Area Agencies on Aging.