Stephanie K. Firestone is a senior strategic policy advisor with AARP International. As an urban planner, Stephanie leads efforts aimed at incorporating aging considerations as a normative part of local planning practice—both nationally and internationally.

“Planning for Aging” is Taking Off

Posted: 04/18/2018 by | 0

One of the most exciting developments in the livable communities movement is the increasing collaboration between aging professionals and planners—professionals who shape the form and function of future communities. Some incredible progress was made on this front at the 2018 Livable Communities for All Ages (LCA) Summit in San Francisco March 29. Over two hundred planners and aging professionals experienced what this cross-sector planning looks like and committed to collaborating better moving forward. The summit, which took place at the …

‘Dementia Friends’ Initiative Creates Respectful Communities for People of All Ages

Posted: 02/27/2017 by | 0

In 2016, an estimated 5.4 million Americans had Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. And while people of all ages can have dementia, 8.8 percent of adults age 65 and over have the disease. With greater longevity and rapidly increasing numbers of individuals with dementia, we are all likely to encounter a person living with dementia as we go about our lives. We may witness a person living with the disease facing any number of challenges in navigating …

Inviting All Planners: Cross-Sector Summit to Create Livable Communities for All Ages

Posted: 01/31/2017 by | 0

The aging-in-community of a rapidly aging population demands a fundamental shift in planning in order to minimize the economic, social and health challenges that will otherwise overwhelm communities. Nearly 90 percent of Americans 65 and older tell us that they want to age in their homes or communities. And two-thirds of the 85-plus population — the fastest-growing demographic in the U.S. — has at least one disability. We must create communities that are livable across the life span and spectrum …