AARP: Policy and Research Information for Professionals in Aging

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Housing Accessibility

In Brief: Opportunities for Creating Livable Communities  / Research Report
April 2008— The most common barriers to creating livable communities are examined in this concise summary of an AARP Public Policy Institute report by Mia R. Oberlink of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York’s Center for Home Care Policy and Research. The report offers numerous examples of how communities around the country have realized increased housing and transportation choices for older adults and other community members, serving as an easy, non-technical introduction to how livable communities can be implemented through effective community planning. (2 pages) (Publication ID: INB155)

Opportunities for Creating Livable Communities  / Research Report
April 2008— The most common barriers to creating livable communities are examined in this AARP Public Policy Institute report by Mia R. Oberlink of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York’s Center for Home Care Policy and Research. The report offers numerous examples of how communities around the country have realized increased housing and transportation choices for older adults and other community members, serving as an easy, non-technical introduction to how livable communities can be implemented through effective community planning. (35 pages) (Publication ID: 2008-02)

Creative Responses to an Aging Society: The Japanese Experience  / Event
June 2006— AARP Global Aging Program Idea Exchange with Hiro Murata, President and Founder of Murata Associates, Inc., and President of the Social Development Research Center, both in Tokyo.

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly  / Research Report
March 2006— The only federally funded housing program designed specifically for older persons is described in this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Kim Bright. It explains the features of Section 202 Supportive Housing, presents key findings on the characteristics of residents, highlights the growing need for affordable supportive housing, and discusses recent budget and production issues. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS65R)

New AARP Study Finds Mid-Life Americans Are Not Fully Prepared for Their Future Housing Needs  / News Release
May 2003— New AARP study finds mid-life Americans are not fully prepared for their future housing needs.

These Four Walls... Americans 45+ Talk About Home and Community  / Research Report
May 2003— Most midlife and older people say they want to stay in their own homes as they grow older. In this national study, over 2,000 age 45+ Americans were asked what home features, community characteristics, and community services they think they will need to age in place – and their expectations of being able to do so. (116 pages)

Falls Among Older Persons and the Role of the Home: An Analysis of Cost, Incidence, and Potential Savings from Home Modification  / Research Report
March 2002— The incidence and direct costs of falls are estimated and the nature and location of injuries from falls are highlighted in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Brief by Andrew Kochera who reviews the research literature on fall prevention through home modification and uses sensitivity analysis to explore the financial challenges such programs need to address. (14 pages) (Publication ID: IB56)

Accessibility and Visitability Features in Single-family Homes: A Review of State and Local Activity  / Research Report
March 2002— A review of methods state and local jurisdictions are using to promote the inclusion of accessibility features in new single-family homes. In this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper, Andrew Kochera identifies important issues related to architectural guidelines, the costs associated with various features, and consumer acceptance. (36 pages) (Publication ID: 2002-03)

Fixing to Stay: A National Survey on Housing and Home Modification Issues  / Research Report
May 2000— Midlife and older Americans wish to remain in their own homes as they age, and many are modifying their residences in order to achieve this goal. (80 pages)

Accessory Dwelling Units: Model State Act and Local Ordinance  / Research Report
April 2000— This model state act and local ordinance by Rodney L. Cobb and Scott Dvorak of the American Planning Association provides background information and options to assist AARP volunteer leaders and other interested citizens, planners, and government officials in evaluating potential changes to state laws and local zoning ordinances to encourage the wider availability of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). (58 pages) (Publication ID: D17158)