Sustainable Strategies to Build Support for Aging-in-Place and Community Projects

1. Sustainable Strategies to Build Support for Aging-in-Place and Community Projects November 13, 2008 AARP of New York State and Intergenerational Strategies

2. Housing Overview According to a 2006 Brookings Institution Report - “One-Fifth of America: A Comprehensive Guide to America’s First Suburbs:” “The aging of the population will require a continuum of housing responses ranging from helping seniors age in place to the production of new single-family home communities, service-enriched apartments, and continuing care retirement communities.” “All but the most fortunate seniors will confront an array of constraints on their household budgets even as they continue to seek an active community life.”

3. Housing Overview • 9 of 10 seniors prefer to remain in their homes. • Only 10% of seniors live in age-restricted communities. • Existing housing stock isn’t designed for older adults. • Wealth and income disparities limit housing choices especially for people of color. Joint Center for Housing Studies, 2000.

4. Housing Overview, con’t. • 50% of seniors are married while 45% are widowed, divorced, or separated. • The lack of children living nearby will boost demand for assisted and unassisted housing. • Elderly renters will face onerous housing cost burdens. • The market for in-home services is set for a boom.

5. Aging in One’s Own Home and Community There are many reasons for encouraging older persons to remain in their own homes. • The strongest argument is that older adults overwhelmingly (90%) report that they want to grow old in their homes and communities. • Additionally, providing home and community services that enable older adults to age in place is the most cost-effective model for aging.

6. Aging in One’s Own Home and Community • Communities must be able to help those who need help while at the same time ensure that the community remains attractive. • Vibrant communities attract and retain people of all ages, who want to grow older in that community.

7. We Need Older Adults to Remain in their Homes and Communities • To maintain contact with younger generational groups. • To fill positions in the workforce. • To pay property taxes. • For their buying power.

8. Non-Institutional Housing Model Development Through the Civic Engagement of Older Adults

9. Models for Consideration • Beacon Hill Village • Community-Without-Walls Model • Partners in Care Village • HomeShare Long Island • Shared Housing • The “Golden Girls” Model • Home Modification Programs • Home and Community Services

10. Natural Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC) • A NORC community is defined as a community in which 40-50% of heads of households are at least 60 years old. • NORC services include health care, social services, and related services and are based in the community thus enabling residents to reside in their homes as long as possible. • Older adults are seen as resources and partners in the planning and implementation of the NORC and in its governance.

11. Natural Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC) Services provided include home maintenance, minor repairs, transportation services, recreation programs, entitlement counseling, case management, community nursing, care assistance, meal preparation, and nutrition assistance

12. For Further Information www.norcs.com

13. The Beacon Hill Village ModelBoston, Massachusetts How are services paid for? • Members pay an annual fee like they would for an insurance policy premium. The membership fee includes several services and programs and discounts on programs and services that are not included in the annual membership fee. • Fees are paid to a not-for-profit organization that the residents establish and control, or, to a not-for-profit service organization selected by the residents. The not-for-profit organization recruits, screens, employs, and oversees the workers who provide services to its members.

14. The Beacon Hill Village ModelBoston, Massachusetts What services does a member get for the annual fee? • The common services that are included in the annual fee depend on what the residents decide are needed in the community. The common services are: grocery shopping, doctor-prescribed transportation to medical appointments, information and referral about public and private services, geriatric care management, exercise classes, and a number of educational and cultural programs. In addition, members are entitled to 10% to 50% discounts for services offered by providers selected by the Village.

15. The Beacon Hill Village ModelBoston, Massachusetts Optional Services (discounted, fee-based) Errands, cleaning, cooking, home delivered meals, computer assistance, geriatric care management, bill paying, pet and plant care, electricians, plumbers, home inspections, handyman services, rides, personal trainers, massage therapists, house checks, and home health care services.

16. The Beacon Hill Village ModelBoston, Massachusetts Annual Membership Fees Beacon Hill Village, Boston MA: 440+ Members Four full-time staff members offering a comprehensive array of services • $580 for an individual • $780 for a couple • $100/$150 low income

17. The Beacon Hill Village ModelBoston, Massachusetts • The Village negotiates with local merchants for goods and services for its members. Participating merchants must agree to provide 10% to 50% discounts to its members.

18. The Beacon Hill Village ModelBoston, Massachusetts • The Village saves its members money through volume purchasing. • The Village provides peace of mind to its members because it conducts extensive background checks of all participating vendors and suppliers. • The Village represents its members if there’s a problem with a vendor or supplier.

19. For Further Information For more information about Beacon Hill Village go to:www.beaconhillvillage.org A comprehensive founders’ manual is available and can be purchased on the Beacon Hill Village website.

20. Community Without Walls (CWW) ModelPrinceton, New Jersey • The Community Without Walls (CWW) is an association of individuals and couples who desire, and actively seek, ways to remain in their communities as they age. The mission of CWW is to enhance the ability of its members to age well, and to age "in place." • A primary goal of CWW is to assist its members in acquiring the knowledge that will enable them to make the choices they will need to make as they age. To further this goal, CWW engages in activities such as social support, information, education, and advocacy.

21. Community Without Walls (CWW)Princeton, New Jersey • Services are provided by volunteer assistance of shopping, chores, and medical transportation. • There are many social and educational activities conducted.

22. Community Without Walls, Princeton NJ 450+ Members An all-volunteer program offering an array of services For a $15-$30 annual membership fee.

23. For Further Information www.princetonol.org

24. The Partners in Care Village Model Pasadena, California • Community volunteers help other residents with the non-medical tasks and chores of daily living that enable people to remain in their homes. • Volunteers earns credit hours that may be banked for use at a later time, donated to another person, or to the general bank.

25. For Further Information www.partnersincare.org

26. HomeShare Long Island Definition: Two or more unrelated people sharing a single family home. A review of the zoning codes of Nassau County’s three Townships and two cities and Suffolk County’s five western Townships defines a “family” as (paraphrased): One or more persons, whether or not related by blood occupying a single, one-family dwelling and living as the functional equivalent of a natural family. Thus, there is no need for a homeowner to obtain a permit to be a home sharer.

27. Benefits • Companionship • Safety and Security • Financial Stability • Services

28. Qualifications: Homeowner • 60 years of age and older (usually) • One private bedroom • Shared or private bath • Independent • May charge rent

29. Qualifications: Home Sharer • At least 18 years old • Stable Income • Submit to criminal background check • Independent

30. References • Employer • Co-worker • Previous/present landlord • Minister • Neighbor • Personal Friend

31. How to Match • Personal Characteristics • Geographical Considerations • Furniture/Storage space • Rent Amount • Male/Female

32. How to Match, continued • Access to public transportation • Smoking/non-Smoking • Pets/no pets • Storage/No Storage • Compatibility

33. - A 22-year old home sharing program HouseMate Match) with over 400 matches in the Atlanta suburbs reports the average length of a home sharing match is 2.5 years.- On Long Island, HomeShare Long Island has made 70 matches in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

34. Home Sharing vs. Renting Home Sharing assists the Homeowner by: • conducting thorough background and reference checks and • finding another Home Sharer in the event that the match doesn’t work out. The homeowner may be too busy or feel uncomfortable completing these activities.

35. For Further Information:HomeShare Long Island Contact: Suffolk County Family Service League (631)647 3100 ext. 2225 Extension 228 Nassau County Family and Children’s Association (516) 292 1300 ext. 2250

36. Shared Housing Living residences which involve a number of people living cooperatively as an unrelated family in a large dwelling thus prolonging their desire for an independent lifestyle.

37. For Further Information National Shared Housing Association www.sharedhousing.org

38. “The Golden Girls Model” • Two-to-three homeowners in the same community decide that one or more of them will move into one of their homes while the other(s) sell their homes, or, all sell their homes and use the proceeds to jointly purchase a home for group use. • The homeowners share the costs of maintaining the home. • The homeowner secures any necessary permits to modify the home. • The costs of modifying the home for group use are shared by the two-three people involved.

39. Home Modification United Way of Long Island’s Senior Access to Home provides accessibility modifications to homes of low-income seniors (65 and over) in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The initiative focuses on providing home retrofits, such as ramps, grab rails, wheelchair accessible bathrooms and kitchens, and any other necessary modifications that will enable senior citizens to stay in their own home rather than move into assisted care. 

40. For Further Information www.unitedwayli.org

41. Home and Community-based Services • Adult Day Care • Caregiver Programs • Case Management • Emergency Response Systems • Home Health Services • Home Repair • Home Modification • Information and Referral • Legal Assistance • Home Delivered Meals • Personal Care • Senior Center Programs • Telephone Reassurance • Transportation

42. For Information about Home and Community-Based Services New York State Office for the Aging 1-800-342-9871

43. For Information about Senior HousingCovering New Construction, Resales, and Rentals Senior Resource Network 1 800 569 2053 Senior Housing Locator www.seniorhousinglocator.com

44. Services to Offer • conduct feasibility studies • develop their common vision • develop marketing strategies • develop financial plans • Assist in program start-ups

45. Issues for Consideration • Outreach - houses of worship, libraries, civic associations, senior service organizations, Rotary, Lions, etc. • Resistance and reluctance - time-consuming, financial commitment, lack of sufficient community interest • Fee-setting • - amount, term, timing • Funding - membership fees, fund raising • - Community Development Funds • - United Way • - Individuals and Foundations

46. Tools to Aid Aging in Place Efforts • MOBILITY • Mobility Forums • Complete Streets Legislation and Transit Oriented Development • Metropolitan Planning Organizations • Ride Sharing (NuRide) • HOUSING and ZONING • Visitability legislation • Universal design incentives • Expedited Zoning approval • Affordable Housing Efforts

47. Recommendations and Action Steps for Mobility • Communities should facilitate driving by older individuals by improving the travel environment, supporting driver education, and promoting safe driving throughout the life span. • Communities should take positive steps to enhance mobility options, including public transportation, walking and bicycling, and specialized transportation for individuals with varied functional capabilities and preferences.

48. MOBILITY FORUMS • Convene Stakeholders Community, land use, and transportation planners, transportation providers, elected officials and legislators, town and municipal staff, senior care advocates and service providers, community leaders, and concerned citizens. • Issues to Discuss and define Challenges, opportunities and actions for change • Driving safely • Transit and Land Use • Pedestrian Safety

49. Complete Streets and Transit Oriented Development Support Complete Streets: • A Complete Street is safe, comfortable and convenient for travel via automobile, foot, bicycle, and transit. • Is fully accessible to all: kids, seniors and people with disabilities. Support Transit Oriented Development (TOD). > Explore improving the “livability” of metropolitan areas through TOD which provides for a mixed-use environment that is both walkable and connected to the broader region by virtue of transit connections.

50. Metropolitan Planning Organization • Join efforts on Citizen Advisory Committees • Where opportunities are available • Attend meetings where public is allowed • Make comments about transit, and pedestrian issues in your community.