Tips for Making Communities Livable for All Generations

Tips for Making Communities Livable for All Generations

Specifics on How Small Towns, Big Cities and States Can Assist Their Populations and Address their Changing Demographics

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- To help towns, cities and states throughout the U.S. make their communities friendly to an aging population, the MetLife Mature Market Institute has released planning tips, Creating a Livable Community: Engaging All Generations and Improving Quality of Life. It is derived from the study, Livable Community Indicators for Sustainable Aging in Place, which found that localities can follow relatively simple and low cost indicators to determine if their services meet the needs of their aging and older citizens.

The new publication contains specific solutions for intergenerational living in the areas of housing, transportation, safety, health care, support services, retail services and social integration. It was produced in conjunction with Generations United to provide guidance for those at the local level - community leaders, residents, students and more - so they can find new ways to implement programs to enhance the lives of all generations and to create a livable and positive environment.

"While all communities are unique and have varying degrees of resources, every community can actively engage residents across the generations in addressing community challenges," said Sandra Timmermann, Ed.D., director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute. "There are simple ways to get this started. For example, appoint an intergenerational community advisory council to offer multiple perspectives and unique solutions for a given locality."

Donna Butts, executive director of Generations United pointed out that making sure people are connected to each other is a great way to foster intergenerational reciprocity. "Communities that create opportunities for people of all ages improve the quality of life and strengthen the community. We've witnessed great success in those that understand how to use an intergenerational lens to develop and implement policies and programs for all generations," she said. "As recently noted by the Mayo Clinic, 'good friends are good for your health' and a recent report by the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) pointed out that those who volunteer tend to be more satisfied with their lives than those who don't."

The tip sheet asserts that, in a livable community, policies and practices increase cooperation and interaction among the age groups. Livable communities provide services that allow individuals to survive and thrive. In a truly intergenerational community, residents of all ages have ample opportunity to share their expertise and resources, and to support each other and their community. Examples of some of the advice and policy suggestions in the publication are:

• Housing - A program that supports the efforts of older people to keep living in their homes might engage groups of students to rake leaves, shovel snow and do light home repairs for older neighbors.
  Example: The Home Safety Program at the Volunteer Center of the Virginia Peninsula sends teens to visit older adults living independently. They perform a safety assessment and provide safety and disaster kits.

• Transportation and Safe Neighborhoods - Transportation is a critical service for all generations, especially those who are aging who must rely on light rail, buses, taxis and on-call vans. Neighborhoods can use volunteers to help older individuals learn how to take advantage of public transportation.
  Example: In Hesston, Kansas, older adults are utilized as crossing guards to help students cross busy intersections. In Chanute, Kansas, older volunteers greet students at the front door of their elementary, middle and high schools, and wish them a wonderful day at school, with a smile, handshake or high-five.

• Health Care and Supportive Services - Livable communities require adequate medical facilities, trained medical personnel, community education, wellness programs, doctors and specialists. They also need support services for residents of all ages. Communities might create a shared space for residents of multiple generations to interact daily.
  Example: At the JEWEL Program in New York's Westchester County, daily interactions occur between children in day care and older adults in a non-residential day program. The older adults benefit from the center's wellness activities, personal care, transportation and nutrition - and from the daily engagement with children.

• General Retail and Services - Ideally, communities have stores to buy necessities, opportunities to purchase healthy foods, restaurants and community activities. Recognizing the importance of healthy eating and how it correlates to healthy and long lives, localities can connect children, teens and older adults through gardening and cooking.
  Example: At the Marion Street Intergenerational Garden in Washington, DC, gardeners of all ages create and participate in a gardening experience that has become an outdoor classroom for residents of all ages.

• Social Integration - Communities can connect the generations to enhance each other's lives and that of the larger community. Through these interactions, relationships are formed, stereotypes and biases are reduced and communities take advantage of the strengths of all their residents.
  Example: The Allegheny County Library Association in Pennsylvania has held book clubs for high school students and older adults aimed at fostering intergenerational discussion and connections.

The guide also contains a list of additional resources that can be tapped by community leaders, government officials and individuals seeking to work toward the betterment and flexibility of their communities with regard to older adults.

Generations United

Formed in 1986, Generations United is the national membership organization focused solely on improving the lives of children, youth, and older people through intergenerational strategies, programs, and public policies. Generations United serves as a resource for educating policymakers and the public about the economic, social, and personal imperatives of intergenerational cooperation. For more information, visit www.gu.org.

The MetLife Mature Market Institute®

Now in its 16th year, the MetLife Mature Market Institute is Metropolitan Life Insurance Company's (MetLife) center of expertise in aging, longevity and the generations and is a recognized thought leader by business, the media, opinion leaders and the public. The Institute's groundbreaking research, insights, strategic partnerships and consumer education expand the knowledge and choices for those in, approaching or working with the mature market.

The Institute supports MetLife's long-standing commitment to identifying emerging issues and innovative solutions for the challenges of life. MetLife, Inc. is a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs, serving 90 million customers. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, please visit: www.MatureMarketInstitute.com.

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