New York Becomes First State in the AARP Network of Age Friendly Communities
New York Becomes First State in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
Most New York voters age 50 and older said they’d be more likely to stay in the state if improvements are made in housing (70 percent), transportation (66 percent) and jobs (61 percent) for older adults.
Many New York Generation Xers and boomers are strongly considering leaving the state in retirement. Already, 22 percent of state government pensioners receive their checks outside of New York, and the state recently recorded its first decline in population in a decade. But older residents bring tremendous value to the state, not only socially and culturally but also economically. In fact, a year to the state's economy. Photo from AARP New York New York State officials, AARP New York and AARP Livable Communities celebrate New York becoming the first state to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities. New York State's age-friendly approach utilizes the goals of the state Department of Health's ," a blueprint to improve the health of all New Yorkers in five priority areas and reduce health disparities. Meeting these goals, which include reductions in obesity and diabetes, improvements in environmental health, and enhancements in mental health services, will require attention to factors outside of health care, such as access to outdoor spaces and healthy foods, and improvements in education, housing and jobs. (New York ranks among the Top 10 states in the nation for health, according to the .) Since 2012, the and the have been working collaboratively on the , which aims to support the development of more livable communities across the state. This multi-agency effort resulted in the establishment of a technical assistance resource manual to guide municipalities as they make planning decisions around improving livability and mobility. In 2017, Cuomo also announced the launch of the nation's first statewide to connect older adults and caregivers with local resources and services, including information regarding health, housing and transportation options. As part of the state's $10 billion commitment, more than 8,500 affordable housing units have been created for older adults. The plan aims to establish and preserve more than 100,000 units of affordable housing statewide by the end of 2020. "Older New Yorkers are a vital part of their families and communities, substantially contributing economically, socially, and intellectually through volunteerism, civic engagement, employment and tourism. Communities that understand and adopt the principles of livability and smart growth are communities that are healthy and vibrant places to live for people of all ages that will attract new residents and retain existing residents." In the face of a rapidly aging population, AARP and the World Health Organization have taken steps to help develop more age-friendly communities. The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities encourages states, cities, towns, and counties to focus on the environmental, economic, and social factors that affect the health and well-being of older adults. As a new member of the network, New York State will conduct an assessment of how age-friendly it is currently, looking at criteria like age distribution, economic well-being, housing affordability, accessibility and safety, access to and use of different transportation modes, pedestrian injuries and fatalities, and access to healthy food. The assessment will also look at programs, services and funding, what age-friendly policies, procedures and legislation are currently in place, and what policies may be acting as barriers to age-friendliness. The process will involve hosting listening sessions and focus groups across the state to learn the needs and priorities of community leaders and residents. The state already has a significant head start in its age-friendly efforts. New York City has been in the AARP age-friendly network since the program’s launch in 2012. At the start of 2018, — ranging in size from Erie County to the small town of Big Flats — had already signed on as members. Article published February 2018
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New York Commits to Being Age-Friendly
And by doing so becomes the first state to enroll in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities
Image from 123RF New York State is the first state to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities. When announced in December 2017 that New York had enrolled in the , it became the first state in the nation to do so. The designation stems largely from Cuomo's initiative, which he announced nearly a year earlier in his address, to incorporate health and healthy aging into state agency decision making. "New York will be the model, showing other states the way." A found that older New Yorkers would likely stay in the state as they age if improvements were made for them in health, housing, transportation and jobs. Leading needs, the survey found, are civic participation, employment and housing. Nearly two-thirds of New York's millennials and almost half of its boomers want easy proximity to a mix of shops, offices and restaurants.Most New York voters age 50 and older said they’d be more likely to stay in the state if improvements are made in housing (70 percent), transportation (66 percent) and jobs (61 percent) for older adults.
Many New York Generation Xers and boomers are strongly considering leaving the state in retirement. Already, 22 percent of state government pensioners receive their checks outside of New York, and the state recently recorded its first decline in population in a decade. But older residents bring tremendous value to the state, not only socially and culturally but also economically. In fact, a year to the state's economy. Photo from AARP New York New York State officials, AARP New York and AARP Livable Communities celebrate New York becoming the first state to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities. New York State's age-friendly approach utilizes the goals of the state Department of Health's ," a blueprint to improve the health of all New Yorkers in five priority areas and reduce health disparities. Meeting these goals, which include reductions in obesity and diabetes, improvements in environmental health, and enhancements in mental health services, will require attention to factors outside of health care, such as access to outdoor spaces and healthy foods, and improvements in education, housing and jobs. (New York ranks among the Top 10 states in the nation for health, according to the .) Since 2012, the and the have been working collaboratively on the , which aims to support the development of more livable communities across the state. This multi-agency effort resulted in the establishment of a technical assistance resource manual to guide municipalities as they make planning decisions around improving livability and mobility. In 2017, Cuomo also announced the launch of the nation's first statewide to connect older adults and caregivers with local resources and services, including information regarding health, housing and transportation options. As part of the state's $10 billion commitment, more than 8,500 affordable housing units have been created for older adults. The plan aims to establish and preserve more than 100,000 units of affordable housing statewide by the end of 2020. "Older New Yorkers are a vital part of their families and communities, substantially contributing economically, socially, and intellectually through volunteerism, civic engagement, employment and tourism. Communities that understand and adopt the principles of livability and smart growth are communities that are healthy and vibrant places to live for people of all ages that will attract new residents and retain existing residents." In the face of a rapidly aging population, AARP and the World Health Organization have taken steps to help develop more age-friendly communities. The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities encourages states, cities, towns, and counties to focus on the environmental, economic, and social factors that affect the health and well-being of older adults. As a new member of the network, New York State will conduct an assessment of how age-friendly it is currently, looking at criteria like age distribution, economic well-being, housing affordability, accessibility and safety, access to and use of different transportation modes, pedestrian injuries and fatalities, and access to healthy food. The assessment will also look at programs, services and funding, what age-friendly policies, procedures and legislation are currently in place, and what policies may be acting as barriers to age-friendliness. The process will involve hosting listening sessions and focus groups across the state to learn the needs and priorities of community leaders and residents. The state already has a significant head start in its age-friendly efforts. New York City has been in the AARP age-friendly network since the program’s launch in 2012. At the start of 2018, — ranging in size from Erie County to the small town of Big Flats — had already signed on as members. Article published February 2018
New York is in the Network
is working with the many New York towns, cities and villages in the .AARP org Livable
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AARP Members: For questions about your benefits, AARP The Magazine or the AARP Bulletin, visit the page or call 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277). Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures