Preparing for Aging Populations in America s Cities AARP

Preparing for Aging Populations in America s Cities AARP

Preparing for Aging Populations in America's Cities - AARP Publications and Resources

Mayors on Preparing for an Aging Population

The leaders of 108 cities answer a survey by AARP and the U S Conference of Mayors

In June 2016, AARP and the (USCM) asked the nation's mayors to in order to, explains Tom Cochran, the USCM's CEO and executive director, "identify what resources, policy changes, and infrastructure developments are needed to make our cities more 'livable,' so that our older residents can choose to live out their lives in their own homes and communities, surrounded by family and friends and a vibrant social and cultural network, for as long as possible." The USCM is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are 1,393 such cities in the United States, each represented in the conference by its mayor. The results of the 108-city survey, , were released in January 2017 at the 85th Winter Meeting of the USCM in Washington, D.C., as part of the USCM Task Force on Aging.
The number of people in the U.S. age 65 and over is now "somewhere north of 43 million," explains Cochran, adding that in the next four decades the number is reach more than 83 million. "We know that almost everyone wants to live in a place where they can feel safe, have a good job, raise a family, get around easily, and engage with their community," notes , AARP executive vice president of Community, States and National Affairs. "The responses to this survey reinforce these points and reveal that mayors see several issues as the most important for their increasingly aging populations."

The top needs identified are

Easy access to health care and supportive services

More housing options, affordable housing including accessory dwelling units, and active/assisted living communities

Accessible and affordable public transportation

Increased police presence and communication between police and community residents

Housing located close to stores, transportation, health care facilities and other community services Says Cochran: "In the end, it turns out, what is best for the quality of life is much the same for our oldest citizens as it is for our youngest and everyone in between. Making cities more livable for our older citizens, ultimately, makes cities more livable for all of us."

Following some key findings from the survey

Learn more about the U.S. Conference of Mayors Aging Task Force

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