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From time to time, we like to present you with different research and studies regarding aging-in-place or universal design.

The latest research findings come from a recent study conducted by AARP members in New York. Residents in the City of Buffalo and Rockland County were asked what they thought of their communities in terms of being a good place to live as people age.

AARP commissioned these surveys to examine the opinions of members regarding issues of neighborhood safety, community services, affordable housing, home modification, and transportation. The mail surveys were fielded between October 30 and November 27 last year. A total of 1,252 members in Buffalo and 1,132 members in Rockland County returned surveys. Data was recently tabulated with some interesting results. 

According to the study, findings revealed that:

• Respondents are satisfied with their community as a place to live. About two in three say they are extremely or very satisfied with their community.
• Most residents of these communities want to stay in their communities and homes as they age. Nine in ten say it is extremely, very, or somewhat important for them to remain in their community for as long as possible. More than seven in ten say it is extremely or very important for them to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.

• When asked to identify problems in their community, a majority of residents in both communities cited crime, heavy traffic, and concerns about streets and sidewalks.
• Respondents depend on cars as their primary transportation mode.

• Residents of both communities say having safe neighborhoods with hospitals, hospice care, and senior transportation is important to them.

The findings shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has been following us.
As we mentioned before, seniors who are 55 and older are less likely to move and buy/build new homes and more likely to age-in-place because most of these households feel satisfied with their homes and the communities in which they live. An American Housing Survey (AHS) study revealed that 55+ households (on average) rated the overall satisfaction with their current home as 8.6 out of 10.

Many seniors and people with disabilities know that they can stay in their homes, increase their quality of life, and remain independent. Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) like ome Evolutions are in this business to help people like this.

For more information on the studies or to view the reports and surveys mentioned in their entirety, please click on the appropriate hyperlinks embedded on this page.