What Is a Livable Community?

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AARP attempts to define "Livable Communities" as "a place where all residents can live and participate in their community, no matter what their age, health, or physical ability."

When asked the question where do you want to spend your later years? Almost 9 out of ten (89%) of older Americans have told AARP they want to remain in their home and community for as long as possible.

People like their communities. People like their homes. But let's face it. Many of the homes that we live in today were not built with the following concepts in mind. Is there at least one step-free entrance into the house? Is there a bedroom and kitchen on one level which is barrier free? Are there doorways wide enough to let a wheel chair pass through?  Are there secure handrails on both sides of stairways? Unfortunately many of our homes did not address those issues and others like them. So what do we do? Do we have to leave a home we love? Fortunately, the answer is increasingly “no.”

AARP Iowa is working in several communities and with local groups to address the issues of affordable and appropriate housing including; sponsoring two houses for Rebuilding Together, providing scholarships for CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) training, promoting inclusion of Universal Design concepts in building standards, and getting the word out for consumers to consider as they make their housing choices.

For more information go to http://www.aarp.org search for "The AARP Home Fit Guide" or "Your Home and Community: Are They Ready for You?" or contact: Becky Groff, Associate State Director Community Outreach, rgroff@aarp.org.