Livability for All Ages-Organizations

In 2007, National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) collaborated with AARP to create a free 10-week walking program that would promote health and wellness for people over the age of 50.  Research indicates that a healthy lifestyle that includes walking regularly has shown to help “significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, arthritis, and even some cancers.”  The program also promotes healthy living with weekly education sessions on nutrition and fitness. 

As part of its mission, the National Housing Conference’s research affiliate, the Center for Housing Policy, has created a Housing Policy Toolkit in collaboration with AARP called, “Meet the Housing Needs of Older Adults Toolkit” This toolkit is divided into three sections: (1) how to Provide accessible, safe and affordable homes, (2) how to Improve access to social services and transportation options, and (3) how to Support housing models geared to older adults. 

In 2008, Project for Public Spaces collaborated with AARP to create and publish a set of documents that would provide the elderly with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully interact with their local Department of Transportation.   The processes involved with addressing concerns about local infrastructure can be intimidating if one does not have a clear understanding of how they system operates.   A person may become frustrated when he or she feels their opinion on a matter has not been heard.

Enterprise Community Partners provides extensive housing assistance to older adults.  Their portfolio includes more than 30,000 rental homes, worth a total of $1.7 billion of investments in quality of life and well-being for this target group.  Their efforts encompass both financial and operational solutions to senior housing owners so that they may, comfortably and affordably, maintain their current residence.

NeighborWorks America is a member-based organization with 237 members working in more than 2,700 urban, suburban, and rural communities.  Members consist of nonprofit community-based organizations that focus on community revitalization and production of affordable housing for lower-income people. Nationally, the organization has two agendas that focus on or are related to aging adults.  These programs involve civic engagement and housing.  With regard to civic engagement, the group holds a conference called Community Leadership Institute Seminar in a new location each year.   This conference, or seminar, has many different talking points, one of which is titled Growing in Grace and Wisdom: Tapping the Strength of Seniors in Your Community.   This workshop explores ways to work with seniors and how to benefit from their talents and skills while helping them learn how to age in place.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) encourages its 1,500 member organizations to institute programs for seniors through the publication of research reports, collaboration with other organizations, production of webinars, promotion of case studies, and the provision of other resources, such as those found in the “Older Americans Outreach Toolkit.”