“aging in place”

Universal Design: What Is It and Why You Should Care

Posted on 05/8/2013 by | Home & Family blogger | Comments

Caregiving | Home & FamilyST. LOUIS — I’ve spent the past two days here attending a conference dedicated solely to Universal Design. Una-what? In spite of what it sounds like, Universal Design isn’t a Carl Saganese approach to designing the cosmos. The definition of Universal Design, some shorten it to UD, is a process of designing spaces — cities, streets, buildings, homes, rooms – “that enables and empowers a diverse population by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation,” according to Edward …

Road Safety for Every Age

Posted on 05/8/2013 by | AARP Blog Author | Comments

Home & Family | Public Policy InstituteAs part of Global Road Safety Week (May 6-12), AARP joins many other organizations, governments and individuals working to raise awareness about the dangers facing pedestrians. Walking is good for your health and it doesn’t cost a dime. Unfortunately, it isn’t always safe. A pedestrian in America is three times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than in Germany, and six times more likely to die than in the Netherlands. Many U.S. communities either lack sidewalks, have …

A Deep Connection: the Internet, Family Caregivers and Recipients

Posted on 04/24/2013 by | Caregiving | Comments

Caregiving | Home & Family | Personal Health | RelationshipsHigh-speed Internet can be key to living independently (also known as “aging in place“). You can go online or get smartphone apps that help you monitor chronic diseases, work from home to care for a loved one or prevent or delay functional decline with game systems that help you stay physically active. And, don’t forget the ability to be socially connected through email, online forums and message boards. And yet, a recent report issued by the AARP Public Policy Institute shows that …

Public Transportation: Lifeline for Older Adults in Rural America

Posted on 04/18/2013 by | AARP Blog Author | Comments

Home & Family | Public Policy InstituteMy AARP colleagues in Nebraska recently joined efforts to improve the delivery of transportation services in that state after an AARP volunteer spoke about his frustration trying to take his wife to an evening picnic sponsored by the local Alzheimer’s Association support group. His wife was a nursing home resident who needed to use a wheelchair, but none of the three specialized transportation providers in her area could accommodate her travel requirements. Her nursing home offered only medical transportation. Aging …

10 Principles for Creating Age-Friendly Communities

Posted on 04/15/2013 by | AARP Blog Author | Comments

Home & Family | Public Policy InstituteBy Jana Lynott & Rodney Harrell What makes a community age-friendly? This question faces communities across the nation as the baby boomers age and the older population grows. Communities need to prepare now or they will find themselves struggling to catch up. Age-friendly communities treat all residents and visitors with respect, regardless of age, income or physical ability. They keep individuals socially connected and engaged in community life and they enhance opportunities to be healthy and active. These are communities …

Watch AARP Live March 21st at 10pm Eastern!

Posted on 03/18/2013 by | AARP Blog Author | Comments

Home & Family | Money & SavingsThe following is a guest post by Dennis Eisnach – AARP South Dakota volunteer president What Makes A Community Livable for a Lifetime?  For most of us, the ability to drive ourselves where we need to go is a given. We take it for granted. It’s easy to forget that for many seniors that’s not always the case.  As an AARP volunteer in my home state of South Dakota I see this problem every day. In some rural areas of …

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