Elder Friendly

1. ElderFriendly Communities

2. Elder Friendly Communities • Define the phrase “Elder Friendly Community.” • Identify characteristics of elder friendly communities. • Learn to use a score sheet for evaluating their community’s elder friendliness. • Be motivated to gather with others and use the score sheet as a tool to help enhance elder friendliness in their community. My learners will:

3. There’s No Place Like Home!

4. Elder Friendly Communities An elder friendly community is one where elders are vitally involved, supported, and valued. It is a place where elders truly feel they are “at home.” A Definition:

5. Elder Friendly Communities • Residential housing is safe & close to needed services • A variety of affordable housing options are available • Senior apartments available • Assisted living facilities available • Quality nursing home facilities available • Others… Characteristics HOUSING:

6. Elder Friendly Communities • Elders can get transportation when they need it • Elders can get transportation to elective activities as well as medical appointments • Elder transportation is handicapped accessible Characteristics TRANSPORTATION:

7. Elder Friendly Communities • Elder transportation is affordable • Assisted elder transportation is available • Others… Characteristics TRANSPORTATION:

8. Elder Friendly Communities • Plenty of safe outdoor space • Sufficient places to sit down • Streets and addresses are well-marked • Stoplights timed to allow elders time to cross • Wide and well-maintained sidewalks Characteristics ACCESSIBILITY:

9. Elder Friendly Communities • Low and easily navigated curbs • Sufficient parking close to stores, churches, etc. • Sufficient and well-placed handicapped parking • Others… Characteristics ACCESSIBILITY:

10. Elder Friendly Communities • Information/referral services available and easily found • A hospital or clinic in the community • Affordable chore & handyman services available • Congregate and home delivered meals available Characteristics SERVICES:

11. Elder Friendly Communities • Friendly visiting/phone call services available • In-home nursing services available • Information and training services for caregivers available • Caregiver respite services available • Caregiver support groups available • Others… Characteristics SERVICES:

12. Elder Friendly Communities • Job opportunities for elders • Volunteering opportunities for elders • Mentoring opportunities for elders? • Others… Characteristics WORK:

13. Elder Friendly Communities • An accessible grocery store in town • A pharmacy in town • Businesses sensitive to the needs of elders • Home delivery of groceries, toiletries & drugs available Characteristics SHOPPING:

14. Elder Friendly Communities • Businesses handicapped accessible • Others… Characteristics SHOPPING:

15. Elder Friendly Communities • Places for elders to eat & socialize • A large number of elders in the community • Good diversity of age groups in the community • Generations interact in the community • Opportunities for education/lifelong learning for elders Characteristics SOCIAL/CULTURAL:

16. Elder Friendly Communities • Cultural events elders can enjoy • Cultural/social events planned with elders in mind (i.e. timing, location, etc.) • Opportunities for exercise and recreation in a safe environment • Active faith communities • Active senior center • Others… Characteristics SOCIAL/CULTURAL:

17. Elder Friendly Communities • Elders treated with friendliness and respect • Elders looked upon as assets in the community • Community shows an appreciation for local history Characteristics VALUES:

18. Elder Friendly Communities • Opportunities for active civic involvement open to elders • People of the community educated about the needs and strengths of elders? • Others… Characteristics VALUES:

19. Community Scorecard

20. Community Scorecard

21. Community Scorecard • Gather a group of community citizens to complete the scorecard • Take your time & do your homework • Share the results with others in your community • Identify 3 things you want to improve • Take action! Using the Scorecard

22. For more copies of the “Is My Community Elder Friendly?” scorecard, go to www.elderberry.org under “Articles” Or email me: tgossett@elderberry.org Additional Resources & Ideas

23. Additional Resources & Ideas Scientific survey for determining the elder friendliness of communities put together by the Center for Home Care Policy and Research of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York. www.advantageinitiative.org

24. Mid MN SAIL Senior Friendly Community Campaign, Maureen Melgaard-Schneider 227 South Main Street Hutchinson, MN 55350 800-223-7292 Mnsail@hutchtel.net Additional Resources & Ideas

25. Canada’s Senior FriendlyTM Program http://www.seniorfriendly.ca/seniorfriendly.htm Alberta Council on Aging website provides numerous resources and ideas for building elder friendly communities and helping businesses be elder friendly Additional Resources & Ideas

26. Is Our Community Senior Ready? Great checklist from the MN Board on Aging for communities to use to rank themselves on how elder friendly they are. Additional Resources & Ideas

27. Forming a Community Based Network Excellent tool from Elderberry Institute for communities to use to assess where they are strong and where they are weak, and how to mobilize their community to build elder services. Additional Resources & Ideas E:\Elderberry Institute\Education\Marketing\Presentations\Elder Friendly Communities

28. To download a copy of this presentation and/or a copy of the “Is My Community Elder Friendly?” document, go to www.elderberry.org and click on “Articles.” Additional Resources & Ideas E:\Elderberry Institute\Education\Marketing\Presentations\Elder Friendly Communities