The Livable Communities Committee of the local Chapter shared information with the Town of Potsdam Planning Board at a May 16th meeting. Following is a recap of that discussion. "As our population ages and people stay healthy and active longer, communities need to adapt. The AARP Network of Age Friendly Communities helps participating communities become great places by adopting such features as walkable streets, better housing and transportation options, access to key services, and opportunities for residents to participate in community activities. Well-designed, livable communities help sustain economic growth and make for happier, healthier residents – of all ages. It’s all about Staying Informed and Learning About Livability. AARP Livable Communities supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and rural areas to be great places for people of all ages. We believe that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; age-friendly housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents of all ages to participate in community life. Is your Community ready? • 1 in 3 Americans is age 50 or older • By 2030 one in five (1 in 5) will be 65 or older Preparing for an Aging Population (Posted by Danielle Arigoni, AARP) Among the reasons AARP has a livable communities initiative: By 2035 there will be more people over the age of 65 in the United States than under 18. This change is an opportunity! The great news is that many of the community characteristics older adults seek are the same ones that attract younger adults and make communities more economically vibrant and successful. Boomers and millennials alike share an affinity for places that offer a shorter commute, proximity to shops and services, a mix of homes, a mix of incomes, and robust public transit options. AARP works to build awareness of and support for community-led efforts in the following ways:
• AARP helps communities examine their housing, transportation and access needs through an age-friendly lens. Some 250 towns, cities and counties — and some states — are enrolled in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. Through a five year planning and implementation process, real action is taken in communities across eight "domains of age-friendly." • AARP works to support communities in diversifying their housing stock. We share information and provide technical support to cities, towns and states that seek to increase the use of accessory dwelling units [ADU] and other means to increase the range of housing choices. (ADUs not only provide an option for older adults to downsize in their communities, but these small residences can generate much-needed income to offset housing costs, or proximate housing for caregivers or family.) • AARP works to educate communities and residents on how to determine the livability of their neighborhood. Through the interactive AARP Livability Index, AARP provides a data-driven score that reveals how livable an area is across more than 60 indicators related to housing, transportation, health and the environment. The score is a great conversation starter on how and where a community can begin to take action to become more age-friendly and more livable. • AARP invests in communities to strengthen the quality of place and encourage citizen engagement. Through the AARP Community Challenge quick-action grants, and a partnership with Team Better Block to conduct tactical urbanism demonstrations in communities nationwide, AARP is investing real resources into making places more intergenerational, more vibrant and more engaging for all. We have seen the real difference that these and other strategies can make in communities. American communities are on the precipice of enormous change, but it isn't a change that should catch anyone by surprise. We are all, of course, aging. And right now, approximately 45 million Americans are age 65 or older. By 2030, that number will reach 73 million Americans. At that point, fully one in five Americans will be older than 65. But the real moment of change will take place just a few years later. By 2035, the United States will — for the first time ever — be a country comprised of more older adults than of children. The U.S. Census Bureau projects there will be 78 million people age 65 and over compared to 76.4 million under the age of 18. The coming demographic changes can provide the catalyst needed to revisit some common practices in land development that have, over time, generated more problems than promise, particularly for older adults. "For the last seven decades, the dominant development paradigm has been one primarily focused on meeting the perceived needs of families with children.” That focus manifested in a regulatory context (through zoning and building codes) that led the market to build a predominance of single-family detached homes within auto-centric transportation networks and largely separated from commercial and industrial uses. [Residential zoning often limits housing options] A number of problematic environmental consequences have emerged as a result, among them: rapid land conversion, increased demands for energy and water, and growing carbon emissions. Social and economic consequences have emerged, too: longer and more costly commutes, increased social isolation, higher infrastructure costs, greater dependency on automobiles for mobility and independence, and more financial vulnerability associated with housing costs. All of these costs are even more acute for older Americans for whom the equity in their homes may be their single largest source of savings — which can either be enormously comforting or terrifyingly volatile, depending on where someone lives. And for those who aren't homeowners, rent represents a greater burden than ever before. As reported by Forbes, 50 percent of renters age 65 or over now pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing. Another 30 percent are severely burdened, paying more than 50 percent of their income on housing. A conundrum we face is that the vast majority of older adults, roughly 90 percent of adults age 65 or older, want to "age in place" in their homes and their communities. Most want to do so because they like their community. They like and know their doctors, and their doctors know them. They like living near their friends. They want to remain close to their children and grandkids. Such connections are not just nice to have — they actually contribute to the health and well-being of older adults. Social isolation has been identified as one of the social determinants of health, posing the same risk to one's health as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. To the degree that we have created places that inhibit, discourage or outright prevent older adults from interacting with others as they age — due to a loss of mobility or even poor home design — we contribute to the pandemic of social isolation rather than solving for it. The great news is that many of the community characteristics older adults seek are the same ones that attract younger adults and make communities more economically vibrant and successful. "Boomers and millennials alike share an affinity for places that offer a shorter commute, proximity to shops and services, a mix of homes, a mix of incomes, and robust public transit options." Is your Community a Livable Community talking about topics that have been proven by AARP, Inc? At the same meeting, the Livable Communities Committee raised the suggestion that the Village needed a Multi--Generational/Cultural Community Center. Our suggestions included the following but someone out there will be interested to add their voice and ideas. Please do ([email protected]). The 8 Domains of Livability (or age-friendly): AARP designated NYS as the first age-friendly state in the United States! 1. Outdoor Spaces and Buildings – availability of safe and accessible recreational facilities. 2. Transportation: safe and affordable modes of private and public transportation helps older adults remain independent, mobile, and engaged in their surrounding community. 3. Housing: Availability of home modification programs for aging in place as well as a range of age-friendly housing options. 4. Social Participation: Access to leisure and cultural activities including opportunities for older residents to socialize and engage with their peers as well as with younger people. Seniors can experience isolation (due to limited social support, deteriorating health, major life changes and the refusal to ask for help) that leads to depression and even suicide. Identifying resources can provide assistance to seniors. 5. Respect and Social Inclusion: Programs that promote ethnic and cultural diversity, as well as multi-generational interaction and dialogue. 6. Civic Participation and Employment: Paid work and volunteer activities for older residents and opportunities to engage in the formulation of policies relevant to their lives. 7. Communication and Information: Access to communications technology and other resources so older residents can connect with their community, friends and family. 8. Community Support and Health Services: Access to home-based care services, health clinics and programs that promote wellness and active aging. COMMUNITY CENTER: The purpose Is to address the 8 Domains of Livability by empowering individuals, families and youth academically and socially inspiring them to take on leadership roles in the community. People living in towns with community centers feel a stronger sense of community than those living in areas without such facilities. The benefits of community centers provide the opportunity to offer programs for all age groups and interests who wish to be involved in a wide range of learning, social and physical activities that promote individual and community involvement and wellbeing. In addition, it is a place for social inclusion for people with difficulties (seniors. Those with disabilities, etc.) which prevent or limit them becoming involved in the community. The Center is open to all who live in the area and all can encounter others with common interests. Additionally, information can be discussed and distributed about common concerns. Juvenile crime is a common problem for small towns. With busy parents and few entertainment options, adolescents are likely to get involved in drugs and alcohol. Community centers provide a safe place for young people to spend time, make new friends, and stay out of trouble. With a focus on academics, socialization and fitness, community centers can also reduce childhood obesity and promote health and wellness. Outside of town halls and churches, many small towns do not have a meeting place. Whether it be for a corporate event, a club meeting, or a fundraiser, a presentation -- community centers provide a convenient place to gather. Community centers are a great addition to any neighborhood. It may be surprising to some, but community centers can boost a small town’s economy. People are drawn to convenient and affordable access to exercise equipment, meeting spaces, and other amenities. Overall, this can boost property values and the resale values of homes. A community center should be a place • for all-community celebrations at various occasions and traditions. • for public meetings of the citizens on various issues. • where politicians or other official leaders come to meet the citizens and ask for their opinions, support or votes ("election campaigning" in democracies, other kinds of requests in non-democracies). • where community members meet each other socially. • that houses local clubs and volunteer activities. • that community members (and sometimes others), can rent inexpensively when a private family function or party is too big for their own home. • that passes on and retells local history. • where local non-government activities are organized. • of relief in instances of community tragedies. To be included in a Multi-Generational/Cultural Center • Large open reception area where events can be held • Space for the Farmer’s Market year-round on Saturdays • A professional kitchen • Smaller break out rooms for meetings or learning activities (tutoring by college or high school students or classes offered by professionals) • Swimming Pool and Walking Track • Climbing Wall • Bathrooms • Fitness Center • Information Desk • Parking and Accessibility • Community Garden • Promotion of diversity events • Info Center • Outdoor Grill/Picnic Options • Electronic display for communication purposes of events throughout the Village • Black box theater that can also be used to show movies/films, etc. What is the future for Potsdam? Can it move beyond the look of past decades to appeal as a potential mid-life retirement community? Parents bringing their kids to college – and remaining here. Can businesses be created that will keep graduates here and stop the brain drain? There is talent and competency available in the community as well as at the universities. How is it being best utilized?
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The St. Lawrence County Chapter (SLCC) #2831 is a community of advocacy and volunteers whose purpose is to 1) promote at the local level the priorities, programs and policies specific for the benefit of our seniors, 2) maximize member engagement in a broad menu of services, information and educational activities, 3) demonstrate the contributions and potential of people who are 50+ to encourage their full participation in contemporary life, 4) create fundraising opportunities to achieve self-sufficiency, and 5) stimulate public interest in a variety of issues.
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November 2019
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