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.
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 .
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