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Aging is an Asset for Communities
Education and Aging are joining resources to plan for the aging of Illinois and find the opportunities for education. What will it mean to live in a community where 1 out of 4 is over 60?
With leadership from Senator Ed Maloney, Higher Education Committee, Charles Johnson, director of the Illinois Department on Aging, Michael O'Donnell, representing Area Agencies on Aging, and Jane Angelis, Intergenerational Initiative, SIUC, Aging is an Asset for Communities was convened.
A group of educators, policymakers, retirees and members of the press, came together in Springfield to discuss four aspects of communities: housing, transportation, mental health and health promotion and to explore the opportunities for education and the media.
The meeting was based on a study by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging called A Blueprint for Action: Developing a Livable Community for All Ages. They found that 46% of American communities have already started planning for aging, and many communities have elder-friendly programs in place. However, there is much more to be done.
The Aging is an Asset for Communities featured several focus groups to discuss the ramifications of life in an aging society. In Illinois, the Department on Aging in cooperation with local Area Agencies on Aging, has started a process to discover the meaning of an aging world. Their project is called Liveable Communities for All Ages and will assess the preparedness of communities for the future when 1 out of 4 will be over the age of 60.
While assessing the communities, it is an ideal time to brainstorm about how education can be involved and strengthened as a result. Universities and community colleges can convene brainstorming sessions and provide leadership for innovative solutions to the challenges of housing, transportation, and health. Shining light on the community can also bring the resources of all ages out of the shadows. Too often we ignore the potential contributions in our students, elders, and disabled. If we are to build strong communities, all generations, races, and cultures must work together to address the needs of our aging population and the educational system.
Housing
Laboure House is a model for the spirit of community for the future. Laboure House is an intergenerational living arrangement with DePaul University students and older Chicagoans and a successful partnership between higher education and retirees. Gene Janowski, a resident says, "The joy is in all the wonderful things we share; not just the meals and watching TV, but our discussions about important issues of the day. With such diverse ages and backgrounds, our discussions become lively and sometimes animated. One might conclude that living in a senior environment would be boring. On the contrary, every day there are challenges. Opinions are shared. When one resident develops a health issue, the whole household rallies around that person. When someone succeeds, the household celebrates."
Laboure House is an intergenerational community that brings together DePaul University students and older adults for a meal and to share the events of the day.
Transportation
Transportation provides the vital link between home and a community designed for all ages. It connects individuals to the places where they can fulfill their basic needs -- the grocery store for food, medical facilities for health care, the worksite for employment, friends' and families' homes, recreational sites for social interaction, and houses of worship for spiritual needs. According to Linda W. Podeschi, Illinois Public Transportation Association; "Lack of transportation impacts older people: More than 50% of non-drivers age 65 and older stay home on any given day partially because they lack transportation options." (Aging Americans: Stranded without Options). The needs and expectations for housing change with age. A livable community provides a range of housing types that reflect universal design, that is, they are accessible to everyone.
Mental Health
In Successful Aging, Rowe and Kahn wrote, "When older men and women are asked about their hopes and aspirations, they name their primary goal -- to remain independent and continue to take care of themselves. Similarly, when they are asked about their greatest worries, they stress fear of becoming dependent on others. Loss of either physical or mental function is a major threat to independence, and almost all older people have relatives or friends who have, however, become dependent because of such deficits."
Health Promotion
When you sum up the powerful effects of moderate exercise on the health of older people, it is hard to imagine why we aren't all out there working up a sweat.
Fitness boosts strength. In 2002, the top three causes of death for U.S. adults aged 65 or older were heart disease, cancer, and stroke, three killers that are often preventable and three behaviors were the root causes of nearly 35% of U.S. deaths in 2000: smoking, poor diet, and physical inactivity.
Decatur Herald & Review Photo from ECIAAA
Daisy Hack is an exercise leader in the Strong for Life program.
Daisy Hack, a Senior Companion in Decatur, must have read the quote above. She is a volunteer coach for the Strong for Life program, helping older adults build and maintain their physical strength at home. Using elastic bands and stretching exercises she leads senior citizens in 15 minutes of exercise several times a week. Some have improved their activity. One woman was in a wheel chair and with the exercises advanced to a walker and is now able to walk the halls by using the handrails. Another had pains in her arms, but with exercise it went away. The Senior Companion Program provides for visiting homebound elders and is housed at CHELP (Community Environmental Learning Project, Decatur).
David Bennett , executive director of the Illinois Press Association, and colleagues, Linda Dawson, Illinois Association of School Boards, Kim Villanueva, Illinois Community College Trustees Association; and Tom Laue, LifeTimes, BlueCross Blue Shield provided examples of how to get the message out.
Media
Last the media is important to the communicate the need for planning throughout Illinois. Dave Bennett and his colleagues gave participants examples of the best way to prepare the message and reach newspapers. Bennett called the strategy, "How to get into newspapers without committing a crime. He suggested five steps:
- Decide what kind of coverage you want.
- Find a news "angle" to your story.
- Determine which news outlets to use.
- Be prepared for tough questions.
- Get to know your local news people.
Participants in the June 12 Aging is an Asset Forum
Aging is an Asset for Communities was held at the Illinois Education Association Professional Development Center in Springfield. Speakers: Charles Johnson, director, Illinois Department on Aging, Sentor Ed Maloney, chair, Senate Higher Education Committee (by phone); Dave Bennett, Illinois Press Association, Linda Dawson, Illinois Association of School Board; Kim Villanueva, Illinois Community College Trustees Association; Thomas Laue, Life Times.
Facilitators and Planning Committee Members: Dr. Anthony Traxler, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville; Michael O'Donnell, East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging, Inc.; Jim Anderson, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Charlotte Kauffman, Division of Mental Health; Jane Kessler, Illinois Department of Public Health; ; Carolyn A. Peck, University of Illinois-Springfield; Louis Edelson, Illinois Housing Development Authority; and Bert Weber, Illinois Department on Aging.
Participants: Andrea Berryman, Illinois Community College Board; Linda L. Brookhart, State Universities Annuitants Association; Meredith Byers, Illinois Education Association; Kyusuk Chung, Governor's State University; Rick Conner, Secretary of State's Office; Jerry Crabtree, Township Officials of Illinois; Cindy Deiters, Illinois Association of Park Districts; Marcia Duhm, Black Hawk College; Jana Edge, Illinois State University; Jim Forstall, Educational Consultant; Carla Gosney, John Wood Community College; Amy Griswold, University of Illinois Extension; Julie Hubbard, Area Agency on Aging; Pearle Jeffries, Senior Professionals; Lucia West Jones, Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging; Melissa Roth, Secretary of State's Office; Joe Schatteman, Illinois Municipal League; Cammy Sequin, University of Illinois Extension; Janice M. Stille, Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging; Dr. E. Wesley Tower, Millikin University; Peggy Troyer, AgeOptions, Inc; Judy Vanblaricum, Southeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging; and Linda Walcher, NEA Intergenerational Mentoring Trainer.
The Aging is an Asset for Communities featured several focus groups to discuss the ramifications of life in an aging society. In Illinois, the Department on Aging in cooperation with local Area Agencies on Aging, has started a process to discover the meaning of an aging world. Their project is called Liveable Communities for All Ages and will assess the preparedness of communities for the future in an aging society. L to R: Joe Schatteman, Illinois Municipal League, Jerry Crabtree, Township Officials of Illinois; Linda Dawson, Illinois Association of School Boards, and Jim Forstall, retiree, Illinois Board of Higher Education, discuss universal design, a concept that makes houses accessbile to all.
Recommendations on Partnerships with Higher Education and Aging
Develop age-friendly communities
Education should be a key partner in developing age-friendly communities and at the same time enriching the curriculum with the experience and wisdom of older adults.
Communicate and Publicize
Aging and educational leaders in communities, regions, and the state should meet to discuss the future and how they can share their needs and resources.The media has a critical role to play in the publicity of the process and how ordinary citizens can be involved.
Establish Connectivity
Universities and community colleges can help social service agencies provide connectivity and information systems for their region that will assist residents with access to the information they need.
Aging and Education
Education and aging organizations must develop closer connections for their mutual benefit and that of local communities. Align the needs and opportunities of aging in Illinois and with those of education.
Geriatric Training
Perhaps one of the most important tasks and opportunities for higher education is to train geriatric specialists in all disciplines, nurses, doctors, technicians -- in reality, all health care providers -- because an increasing number of their clients will be 65 and older.
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