From Aging in Community to Age-friendly Community: Translating Applied Research into Practice

Kathy Black, Kathryn Hyer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

As the world’s population continues to grow older, many communities are seeking to enhance the experience of daily life via age-friendly approaches. This paper recounts the development of an age-friendly community that began with the findings from a study that sought to enhance aging with dignity and independence in a southeastern United States community in which one-third of the residents are age sixty-five or older. Findings revealed six “actionable” themes: (1) Meaningful Involvement; (2) Aging in Place; (3) Respect and Inclusion; (4) Communication and Information; (5) Transportation and Mobility; and (6) Health and Well-being. The findings were independently aligned with the World Health Organization’s eight domains of livability and served to propel efforts toward the creation of the global age-friendly community designation. Research approaches are explicated, and programmatic efforts aimed at enhancing practice change on both individual and organization levels are presented.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalThe International Journal of Aging and Society
Volume6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2016

Keywords

  • Community-based Participatory Research
  • Qualitative Methods
  • Program Development

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