Time to Think Differently
Edward Steinfeld, AIA and Director of the IDeA Center, wrote a fantastic article for the American Architectural Foundation about the need for age-friendly community design. Steinfeld argues that the creation of age-restricted communities, like The Villages in Orlando, FL, removes older adults who can afford them from the community at large. This negatively impacts communities, […]
Designing for Acoustics, Hearing and Aging
The American Society of Interior Designers has some information about designing for people with hearing loss on their website. An article written by Samantha McAskill, ASID, lists various tips for interior designers like, using sound absorbing fabics, avoiding high ceilings, planning for quiet rooms / areas in the home, selecting quiet appliances, and using visual […]
Future Communities Must be Sustainable and UD
We came across a great post on the American Architectual Foundation‘s website that not only outlines the importance of Universal Design and visitability, but also explores their relationship to sustainable design. Written by Kathy Sykes, Senior Advisor for Aging and Sustainability at U.S. EPA, the article looks at the principles of Universal Design, explains how […]
Can Re-Zoning Save the Suburbs
Aaron Murphy, of the website Empowering the Mature Mind, has written a great piece about how re-zoning and creative thinking is needed to restructure our communities to be more age friendly. We often think of Aging in Place as an issue of home modification, but livable communities are also necessary if older adults are going […]
City Hall to Help with Aging In Place
In Virginia, the City of Alexandria is offering home improvement programs to help residents enhance the safety and comfort of their homes. The Home Rehabilitation loan program is administered through the city’s housing office, and is the largest program offered. It is funded by the Federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME programs, and designed […]
Aging in Place: A Toolkit for Local Governments
Aging in Place: A Toolkit for Local Governments is a guide created by the Atlanta Regional Commission to help local governments plan and prepare for their aging populations. The guide explains the importance of coordinating housing development regulations and healthcare supports so older adults can stay in their homes, and it also investigates quality growth […]
Personalized Music Memory Box for People with Dementia
Chloe Meineck designed this Music Memory Box after studying the way that familiar music can help people with dementia connect with memories of their past. Meineck worked closely with her client, Barbara, to find and produce various objects that Barbara can associate with specific memories of different family members. Each object is outfitted with a […]
Are Older Americans Optimistic about the Future?
Are older Americans financially prepared for their retirement years? Do they feel optimistic about the future? Several recent news articles have tackled the issue, but with all of the contradictory statistics its hard to draw a clear picture. A recent telephone poll conduced by USA Today in partnership with UnitedHealthcare and the National Council on […]
Best Cities for Sucessful Aging
This report by the Milken Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan economic think tank, explores the best cities for aging in the US. The report looked at 359 metro areas across the US and generated a composite ranking for each, based on eight sub-components (general indicators, health care, wellness, living arrangements, transportation/convenience, financial well-being, employment/education, and community […]
Aging In Place Center Uses Xbox Technology To Keep Seniors Safe
Some residents at the TigerPlace Aging-in-Place residences in Columbia, Missouri are taking part in a scientific experiment being conducted by researchers at the University of Missouri, who are using video game technology to monitor the residents’ health. The living quarters of sixty-five residents have been outfitted with motion detection sensors over each doorway, high-tech sensors […]