Ruth Finkelstein, ScD The New York Academy of Medicine September 27, 2011

1. Policy Approaches to Promoting Health in Aging New York Academy of Medicine & Royal Society of Medicine Ruth Finkelstein, ScD The New York Academy of Medicine September 27, 2011

2. Early Life Growth and development Adult Life Maintaining highest possible level of function Older Age Maintaining independence and preventing disability Functionalcapacity Disability threshold Rehabilitation and ensuring the quality of life Age A Life Course Approach to Active Aging Range of function in individuals Source:Kalache and Kickbusch, 1997

3. World Health Organization’s Age-friendly Cities Domains

4. Year 1 Launched public-private initiative: • The New York Academy of Medicine • The Office of the Mayor • The New York City Council

5. Based on the Perspectives of Older Adults Themselves • Year 1 • Consulted with more than 2,000 older adults • 14 neighborhoods • 5 languages • 10 immigrant groups • Expert Roundtables • Mapping • Literature Review

6. “I’d have to be on roller skates to get across the street in time because of all the traffic lights.”

7. “I am always worried, if my rent goes up I can’t afford it and I will have to move out of the neighborhood”

8. Year 1 www.agefriendlynyc.org

9. Assetsofthe Urban Environment • Year 1 • Transportation • Proximity to stores & services • Access to cultural institutions • Support of existing communities & social networks • Access to high quality health and social services

10. Challengesofthe Urban Environment • Year 1 • Neighborhoods and families are changing in ways that increase social isolation • Mobility, linguistic, & cultural barriers prevent many older adults from taking full advantage of all the city has to offer • Affordability

11. Year 2 • City government makes 59 recommendations to expand and launch new initiatives across four areas • Community & Civic Participation • Housing • Public Spaces & Transportation • Health & Social Services

12. Year 2 • Integration across city departments optimizes resources

13. Guiding Principles • An aging population is an opportunity, not a crisis • Older adults are experts on their own lives and needs • All sectors – public & private – must be engaged • An “age-in-everything” approach is key to planning • Both “top down” and “bottom up” strategies are needed • Addressing problems in partnership requires “win-win” solutions • Many of the changes needed are low or no cost • Pace matters – identify and publicize early wins to build momentum

14. Year 3 Age-friendly New York City Commission

15. Year 3 An Opportunity for Business

16. Year 3 An Opportunity for Neighborhoods • NYC’s first Aging Improvement District sponsored by Councilmember Melissa Mark-Viverito • Concrete improvements benefit people of all ages • Engaged older adults keep communities safe, stable and informed • Multi-sector coalitions optimize a community’s resources and are useful across issues

17. Year 3 An Opportunity for Universities • Emeritus faculty and alumni are underutilized • Growing market for courses, campus events and resources • Intergenerational experience for students living in an aging society

18. Year 3 An Opportunity for Professions • Identify new needs and new markets • Sharing of best practices • Way to stay current facing biggest demographic shift in recent history

19. Year 3 An Opportunity for Technology • Growing market share • Technology as a means to solve social isolation

20. Year 3 An Opportunity for Elected Representatives • Enhance communication & visibility with key constituency • Leverage resources into district • Demonstrate leadership

21. Year 3 An Opportunity for Government Leaders • To align policy: • Safer intersections • More outdoor seating • School buses to transport older adults • Clearer signage and better bus shelters

22. Year 4 Publicize, measure progress and scale-up

23. For information and resources visit: www.agefriendlynyc.org