Community Focus | Statewide Impact | National Network

More seniors, living longer – part of "the new normal“

Trends from NYS (and beyond)

Susan WeinrichNew York Council of Nonprofits, Inc.

www.nycon.org

Community Focus | Statewide Impact | National Network

Trends

Aging in Place describes a choice made by many older adults to remain in the communities where they have lived• The advantages of this choice need to be maximized &

the challenges mitigated Community Empowerment Initiatives

• Livable communities• Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCS)

LIVABLECOMMUNIT

IES

ADDRESSES BASIC NEEDS

PROMOTES SOCIAL & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

ADVANCES HEALTH & WELLNESS

FOSTERS INDEPENDENCE

Community Focus | Statewide Impact | National Network

A Model of Data Presentation

World Health Organization,

Determinants of Active Aging

Community Focus | Statewide Impact | National Network

AARP Livable Communities

• Design for living– Help with local zoning ordinances that encourage universal

design

– Working on a NYS bill that would require any new road to be user friendly for all ages.

– Pedestrian safety audit on web site

– Partner with any group on these issues & share material

Community Focus | Statewide Impact | National Network

Some Examples

• Long Island – changed local ordinance to encourage universal design with incentives instead of punitive provisions for new construction

• In Westchester County & Suffolk County – any home built with tax $ must incorporate universal design

• Monroe County – Aging in Place – Looking at what can be done to stop the exodus from Rochester– Developed recommendations about community design, housing,

regional land use and development, transportation

Community Focus | Statewide Impact | National Network

NORC Programs

• Community Engagement (educational programming, community action initiatives, and opportunities for seniors to take on new roles).

• Social work services (to individuals, caregivers, and groups of seniors).

• Health care-related services (addressing both individual health management needs and the health of a community).

Community Focus | Statewide Impact | National Network

A Funding StrategyCommunity Organizing

NYS Office for Aging piloted program and funded 15 grants for “Community Empowerment” including organizing and needs assessments and planning.

NYCON provided 5 trainings throughout the state on Community Organization and Coalition Building

Primary challenge was on expanding mindset from provider-client to seeing the entire community as stakeholders and activists.

Community Focus | Statewide Impact | National Network

Unlikely Partners

• Businesses and Employers

• Planning and Zoning Boards

• Architects and Housing Developers– Universal design

• Nonprofits as Volunteers Sites

• Parents of young children (strollers, walkers, etc.)

• Seniors/Boomers

• Youth

Community Focus | Statewide Impact | National Network

The Collaboration Continuum for Coalitions

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Map Community Services

ServicesBlue: HealthYellow: FaithRed: Social Green: Recreation & Education

Community Focus | Statewide Impact | National Network

Resources

• www.ncoa.org: Resources for Baby Boomers and other older adults to support vulnerable populations through multi-generational programming.

• www.volunteermatch.org/nonprofits/boomerbook. Boomer Volunteer Engagement: Collaborate Today, Thrive Tomorrow, from VolunteerMatch, provides a step-by-step practical guide for engaging Boomers as volunteers who can help build organizational capacity.

• http://cil.templecil.org/node/3 Temple University’s Center for Intergenerational Learning launched a new online course called “Capturing Experience: How People 50+ Can Help Your Organization” to help organizations learn how to make more effective use of Baby Boomers.