What Happened?
Washington D.C. is developing senior villages to provide its aging baby boomer population with resources to maintain independence while aging in their homes. Senior-focused amenities for the village include safe transit options, civic engagement opportunities, part-time jobs and aging in home resources.
The Goal
The push is part of D.C.’s efforts to attract new residents of all age groups. In D.C., 16 percent of its population is over the age of 60 and that number will grow significantly in the next few years. D.C. would like to become an Age-Friendly City as recognized by the World Health Organization, which is encouraging cities to address aging populations and urbanization through community developments and intergenerational programs.
The Strategy
The D.C. Office on Aging’s Strategic Plan for 2013 to 2017 is focused on improving the quality of life for senior residents by enhancing eight specific domains:
- Outdoor spaces and buildings
- Transportation
- Housing
- Social participation
- Respect and social inclusion
- Civic participation and employment
- Communication and information
- Community support and health services
D.C. is working to make each of these eight categories a priority with new developments so senior citizens have greater access to affordable, enriching resources in the community. All senior developments must be cost-effective and safe to accommodate residents of varying socioeconomic statuses with unique needs. Focusing on these eight domains will offer the greatest opportunity to positively influence the health and quality of life for seniors in D.C. and worldwide.
Once those domains have been improved, the city will provide ever senior with a network of resources to ensure independent productive living within the community. These quality resources include:
- Self-management training
- Home and community-based services
- Seed funding and technical assistance
- Advocacy for legislation to address senior-related issues and safety
With the implementation of senior wellness centers throughout the city, senior residents will have access to nutritious meals, physical and recreational activities, and financial preparedness tools to help take care of long-term needs. This will include:
- Collaborations with schools to make educational programs available
- Sustainability home improvement initiatives
- Partnerships with local health and human services agencies
- Outcome-based information management systems to enable case management of all senior residents
To be successful, D.C. is looking for strong collaboration from residents, businesses and community leaders.
Global Impact
According to the World Health Organization, the number of people over the age of 60 will double from 11 percent of the global population in 2006 to 22 percent by 2050. This will mark the first time in history when senior citizens are expected to outnumber children under the age of 14. Developing countries, especially, must focus on adjusting to the aging population. Within the next 50 years, 80 percent of the world’s older people will be found in developing countries.
Furthermore, the number of residents in urban settings is projected to grow significantly, placing greater demand on more efficient processes and amenities to sustain this growth. By 2030, about 60 percent of people worldwide will life in cities, while the number of urban dwellers in less developed regions will be four times as large as those in developed regions.
Focus on Seniors
Gov1 has reported on cities leveraging funding to support aging populations, as well as making greater use of senior citizen residents.