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MetLife Foundation - Five national organization join to assess “Aging Readiness” of America’s communities

As the Baby Boom generation reaches retirement age, the number of Americans over age 65 in 2030 is projected to be 71.5 million – or one in five people. To help cities and counties better meet the needs of an aging population, and to leverage the experience and talent of older Americans, five national organizations have joined forces to assess the “aging readiness” of America’s communities and to identify solutions. The initiative is being funded by a grant from MetLife Foundation.

MetLife Foundation - Five national organization join to assess “Aging Readiness” of America’s communities Known as The Maturing of America – Getting Communities on Track for an Aging Population, the project is being led by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), in partnership with the International City/County Management Association, National Association of Counties, National League of Cities and Partners for Livable Communities. The assessment will begin in November 2005.

“MetLife Foundation is pleased to support this project, which we believe will bring much-needed public awareness to the growing aging population and its impact on communities across the country,” said MetLife Foundation President Sibyl Jacobson.

In the project’s first phase, The Maturing of America partners will produce a survey that will be distributed to 10,000 local governments, which will be used to determine the “aging readiness” of individual areas. For example, the survey will ask whether or not a city or town is promoting sound nutrition and physical fitness, or offering opportunities for civic engagement. In all, 15 indicators will be used.

The survey will answer three key preparedness questions: whether efforts are being made to assess and put into place programs, policies and services that address the needs of older adults and their caregivers; whether cities and counties are able to ensure that their communities are liveable for all ages – not only good places to grow up but good places to grow old; and how well equipped an area is able to harness the talent, wisdom and experience of older adults to contribute to the community at large.

After the first phase is completed, a more in-depth survey will be sent to 500 communities whose initial responses indicated a high degree of readiness. This secondary data will be compiled for a “promising practices” guide that will assist other cities and counties across the nation increase their capacity to effectively serve the growing segment of aging Americans.

“n4a and its partners are eager to move forward on this initiative and are grateful to MetLife Foundation for supporting it,” said n4a CEO Sandy Markwood. “We believe it will benefit our nation’s population by identifying, defining and promoting ways for communities to better meet the needs of aging Americans, and to capitalize on the assets they provide.”

The survey portion of the program is scheduled to be completed by April 2006. A national and local media campaign to advance the “promising practices” information to communities throughout the United States will be conducted during the summer of 2006.

MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 by MetLife to carry on its long-standing tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Grants support health, education, civic and cultural programs. In aging, the Foundation funds programs that promote healthy aging and address issues of caregiving, intergenerational activities, mental fitness, and volunteerism. The Foundation also supports research on Alzheimer’s disease through its Awards for Medical Research program. More information about the Foundation is available at www.metlife.org .

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) – is the leading voice on aging issues for Area Agencies on Aging across the country and a champion for Title VI-Native American aging programs in our nation’s capital. Through its presence in Washington, D.C., n4a advocates on behalf of the local aging agencies to ensure that needed resources and support services are available to older Americans and their caregivers. For more information, go to www.n4a.org.  

International City/County Management Association (ICMA) – is the professional and educational organization for chief appointed managers, administrators, and assistants in cities, towns, counties, and regional entities throughout the world. For more information, go to www.icma.org . National Association of Counties (NACo) – is the national organization that represents county governments in the United States. For more information, go to www.naco.org. National League of Cities (NLC) – is the largest national organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States. For more information, go to www.nlc.org .