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Our Mission
To ensure Kent County is a community that optimizes quality of life, independence and choice for older persons and all residents through collaborative planning and community action.
| Our Guiding Principles |
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• Creating Community for a Lifetime will promotes a holistic, successful aging perspective in the community.
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• Creating Community for a Lifetime will increase community capacity for successful aging through an empowerment model.
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• Creating Community for a Lifetime will develop a process for continuous community learning regarding successful aging.
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Our Vision
Kent County will be an elder-friendly community that addresses basic needs, optimizes physical and mental health and well-being, promotes social and civic engagement, and maximizes independence.
How We View Aging
Underlying the work of the initiative is the belief that older community members represent a largely untapped resource whose wisdom, experience, and free time can be leveraged to address some of the most urgent unmet needs of the community.
The aging of America - including Kent County - is underway. Today, one in ten Americans - about 35 million people - are 65 or over. Within 30 years this number will double and one in five Americans will be 65 or over. We are in the midst of a demographic revolution that is fueled by a combination of the "longevity revolution" and the aging of the baby boom generation.
Americans are living longer. In the 20th century, the average lifespan of Americans increased by 30 years, from 47 to 77 years. At the same time, the largest generation in American history, the baby boomers who number more than 75 million and make up a third of the total U.S. population, is approaching 65.
Kent County reflects these national trends. For example, the number of people in Kent County living beyond the age of 85 increased by 28 percent from 1990 to 2000. In 2000, just over 20 percent of the county's residents were 65 and over, while the soon-to-be-senior baby boomers, aged 45 to 64, made up 20 percent of the county's residents.
How we view the aging of our community - as a problem or an opportunity - will go a long way toward limiting or expanding our capacity to build a better community for all. Those who espouse a "gray dawn" perspective warn of an aging society in which the meeting the needs of old people will tax society's resources to the point of threatening the wellbeing of the younger population component. In contrast, a "prime time" perspective sees the older population as a "growing natural resource" which can be leveraged to address pressing social issues.
The "prime time" viewpoint is consistent with the asset-based approach to community-building being taken by a growing number of community leaders across America, who focus on recognizing opportunities and leveraging a community's strengths to generate the creativity and vision to address challenges. The Creating Community for a Lifetime initiative, led by a partnership of the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan and the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, embraces the asset-based community building philosophy.
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Lead Partners
Creating Community for a Lifetime was a broad-based community-wide planning process built on a foundation of community data-gathering and analysis. The initiative was led by a partnership of the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan and the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.
Founded 30 years ago, the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan exists to help older adults and persons with disabilities live in their community with independence and dignity.
The Grand Rapids Community Foundation, the oldest community foundation in Michigan, was founded in 1922. Through grantmaking and leadership initiatives they help build economic security, foster human wellness, achieve ecological integrity, create vibrant neighborhoods and enrich the lives of people in the community.
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• Mobilize civic leadership
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• Leverage resources to support improvements
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• Support research and development of best practices
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• Advocate for policy change with key local, state, and federal policymakers
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• Facilitate a community agenda for addressing an aging community
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• Convene potential partners working on CCFL strategies and recommendations
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• Monitor community progress in becoming more elder-friendly
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• Review progress on each strategy
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A 35 member Core Council governs the direction of the initiative. The Core Council is responsible for establishing the strategic direction and priorities of the initiative and ensuring community action on recommendations developed.
| Core Council Members |
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Robert Barnes
Senior Neighbors Inc.
Connie Bellows
Delta Strategy
Margaret Biersack
Spectrum Health - Healthier Communities
Teresa Branson
Kent County Health Department
David Bulkowski
Disability Advocates of West Michigan
Douglas K. Chung, Ph.D.
Asian Center of West Michigan
H. David Claus
Holland Home
Chris Conklin
Visiting Nurse Association
Thomas E. Czerwinski
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
Shirley Daniels
Community Advocate
Harry Dolan
Grand Rapids Police Department
Paul Doyle
Spectrum Health - Healthy Communities, AAHI
Bev Drake
ACSET
Jeanne A. Englehart
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Suzanne Filby-Clark
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
Elizabeth Forbes
Delta Strategy
Robert G. Haight
Heart of West Michigan United Way
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Dr. Tom Hartwig
Gerontology Network Services of KC
Honorable George W. Heartwell
City of Grand Rapids
Paul Ippel
Network180
Nancy Kehoe-Nielsen
Community Advocate
Priscilla J. Kimboko, Ph.D.
Grand Valley State University
Morgan Lambert
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
Rabbi Albert Lewis
Aquinas
Harold Mast
Kent County Board of Commissioners
Philip H. McCorkle Jr.
Saint Mary's Mercy Medical Center
Tom Oosterbaan
Senior Neighbors
Zoraida Sanchez
Community Advocate
Sue Sefton
Kent County Health Department
Diana R. Sieger
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Katheryn Sleziak
Grand Rapids Dominicans
Deb Snow
Advocates for Senior Issues
Peter Varga
Interurban Transit Partnership
Andrew Zylstra
Department of Human Services
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| Community Advisory Team |
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Tim Allard
Alzheimer's Assoc.
Leann Arkema
Gilda's Club
Terri Azkoul
Holland Home
David Baak
GRACE
Judy Barnes
Home and Building Association
Guy Bazzani
Bazzani Assoc, Inc.
Scott Blinkhorn
Visiting Nurses Assoc.
Susan Bodenner
Bishop Hills Elder Care Community
Kent Bottles, MD
GR Medical Education & Research Ctr
Cathy Brady
Pine Rest/St. Mary's
Cheryl Brandsen
Calvin College
Wayman Britt
Kent County
Susan Broman
Steelcase Foundation
Dick Bulkowski
Steepletown Neighborhood Services
Barb Coleman
Gerontology Network
Suzan Couzens
GR Area Health Ministry Consortium
Sandra Davis
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
Karyl DeBruyn
Spectrum Health
Dave Douma
Porter Hills
Hanni Epp
WM Caregivers Alliance
Michael Faber
GRCC Older Learner Ctr
Kurt Freund
Merging Faith and Finance
Dan Gowdy
Transportation Services and North Kent Transit
Frances Grant
Citizens for Better Care
Lynn Gregory
Linda Hunt
Planned Parenthood Centers of West Michigan
Dave Jacobs
Home Repair Services
Sue Karsen
Life EMS
Priscilla Kimboko
GVSU
Helen Kinsworthy
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Joan Konyndyk
Hope Network
Ruth Kurlandsky
Great Lakes Center for Sages
Sue Lemon
Luther Community
Mary McDonald
GVSU, CRI
Matthew Mekkes
Easter Seals
Susan Morales-Barias
Heart of West Michigan United Way
Lauretta Murphy
Miller, Johnson, Snell & Cummiskey
Kym Mulhern
Nokomis Foundation
Jo Murphy
Council on Aging of Kent County
Jackie O'Connor
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
Suzann Ogland-Hand
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
Korrie Ottenwess
GVSU, CRI
Bob Perl
Clark Retirement Community
Vicki Pickel
Kent Co. FIA
Cathy Raevsky
Kent County Health Department
Bill Rowell
Community Advocate
Rebecca Rynbrandt
Wyoming Parks & Rec.
Betty Shelby
Native American Community Services
Randee Shenkel
Jewish Federation
Rick Stevens
Assoc. for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Tolly Stiffler
Dennis Sturtevant
Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids
Barbara Terry
Heart of West Michigan United Way
Margaret Thomas
Deborah VanHuffel
Kent District Library
B. Margaret Voss
Great Lakes Center for Sages
Lee Weber
Dyer-Ives Foundation
Gloria Zamarripa
Beth Zeldes
Monroe, Sweeris & Tromp, PC
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Our Strategy
Creating Community for a Lifetime is a long-term, broad-based, community-wide initiative built on a foundation of community data-gathering and analysis and imbedded into the existing network of agencies addressing aging issues. The approach includes: |
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• Addressing currently identified issues while also creating a mechanism for long-term planning to address future issues.
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• Offering a variety of opportunities for involvement of community organizations and individuals.
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• Building on current organizational competencies.
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• Capitalizing on the energy, time, experience, and financial resources of older adults to impact community betterment.
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Our Measures
We measure success of Kent County addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by an aging community using the following benchmarks: |
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| Basic needs of older adults are being met. |
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• Appropriate and affordable housing is available.
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• Housing can accommodate mobility and safety.
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• The neighborhood is livable and safe.
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• People have enough nutritional food.
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• Assistance services are available and residents know how to access them.
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| Social and civic engagement is promoted. |
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• Residents maintain connections with family, neighbors, and friends.
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• Civic, cultural, religious, and recreational activities include older residents.
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• Community residents help and trust each other.
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| Physical and mental health and well being is optimized. |
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• Community promotes and provides access to necessary and preventive health services.
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• Opportunities for physical activity are available and used.
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• Obstacles to use of necessary medical care are removed.
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• Palliative care services are available and accessible.
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| Independence is maximized. |
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• Appropriate transportation is accessible and affordable.
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• The community service system enables people to live comfortably and safely at home.
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• Caregivers are mobilized to complement the formal service system.
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The Roadmap: An Elder Friendly Community
Pointing the way to fulfilling our vision for Kent County and Creating Community for a Lifetime. |
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Address Basic Needs
Older adults have access to an array of safe and affordable food, clothing and housing options and supportive services that meet their diverse needs and preferences. |
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Optimizes physical and mental health and well-being
Older adults enjoy a range of support, choices, and activities that ensure they remain healthy and active as long as possible. |
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Maximizes independence
Older adults have opportunities and necessary supports - ranging from safe and responsive transportation to reliable caregiving - to make their own choices and live as independently as they can. |
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Promotes social and civic engagement
Older adults have access to plentiful and diverse opportunities to contribute to their communities and make meaningful connections with family, neighbors and friends. |
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Phase I
Community Learning and Information-Gathering and Analysis
CCFL participants explored their own attitudes toward aging, new learning about aging, and opportunities the aging boom presents. They studied national data, learned about innovative programs in other communities, and examined best practices in building elder-friendly communities. |
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| In 2004 CCFL sponsored a comprehensive survey of older adults in Kent County. The survey, conducted in collaboration with the national AdvantAge Initiative, provides a data snapshot of how well older adults are faring in their communities. Two reports were generated: |
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• Creating Community for a Lifetime: Planning for an Elder-Friendly Community in Kent County
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• Kent County AdvantAge Initiative: 2004 Survey Results
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| For a summary of results, visit: www.community4alifetime.org/researchandreports.php |
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Phase II:
Creating the Vision and Roadmap
Based on the survey findings, work groups were formed in 2005 to develop recommendations in each of eight issue areas, including: |
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• Access to affordable health care
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• Awareness of services
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• Caregiving
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• Community-based services
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• Housing
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• Physical activity and nutrition
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• Social and civic engagement
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• Transportation
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Work Group Recommendations
Together, the work group recommendations form the vision for an elder-friendly community and the roadmap for moving forward to achieve that vision. |
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Awareness of Services:
Two of every three older adults in Kent County who need assistance with daily activities are not getting the help they need. Further, the AdvantAge survey found more than 25% of older adults in Kent County did not know whom to call for help. Among the recommendations: |
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• Establish a single point of entry, in which older adults would have one phone number to call for help with long term care services
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• Create a more user friendly system to increase the number of older adults and their families who are aware of and have access to older adult services
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• Provide expanded information through many existing groups such as city and county offices, churches, schools, civic, and social clubs
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• Provide expanded information through many existing groups such as city and county offices, churches, schools, civic, and social clubs
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Civic and Social Engagement
The AdvantAge survey found a very active and engaged older adult community, but opportunities for improvement exist. 42% of older adults are connected to the community through volunteer work, and more say they'd like to volunteer. |
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• Develop more opportunities and easier access to volunteer work
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• Encourage opportunities for older adults to meet community needs through civic involvement
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• Increase opportunities for lifelong learning
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• Provide more employment opportunities for older adults who wish to work
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Transportation
Transportation is key to maintaining independence. Those who no longer drive are at risk of isolation from key services and social interactions. While most still drive a car, 21% say they have no access to public transportation. Among the recommendations: |
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• Make it easier to use public transportation through such programs as senior mentoring
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• Improve access to specialized medical transportation by having one main place to call for help
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• Improve older driver safety through driver training, effective road and car design, and senior friendly signs and lighting
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Caregiver
The AdvantAge survey revealed that 20% of older adults in Kent County are caregivers for frail relatives or friends, which is higher than the national average. 23% of them receive no respite. Among the recommendations: |
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• Strengthen information and referral, caregiver telephone and Web-base support, and create more understanding of caregiver issues among the medical community
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• Create a community awareness initiative to raise awareness of caregiver issues among employers, younger persons, and the community at large
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• Increase respite, education, and other support services available to caregivers
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Next Steps
Creating Community for a Lifetime has built community consensus around a vision for an elder-friendly community and a roadmap for moving forward to achieve the vision. What will it take to move from recommendations to implementation - to turn ideas into reality? |
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Advocacy and Education
Building individual and organizational awareness of and support for the overall vision for an elder-friendly community and the recommendations for achieving the vision.
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A Planning Infrastructure - with older adults taking the lead.
Guide the community's work, providing a way for individuals, neighborhoods, formal and informal networks, government, businesses and other organizations to coordinate their efforts in creating an elder-friendly community.
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Systems Change
Move from the current situation - a system that many find fragmented and difficult to understand and access - to a cohesive, user-friendly system. This will require fresh ways of thinking and acting, collaborations across systems and sectors, respect for research-based practices, a willingness to experiment, and much more, always keeping in the forefront the best interests of older adults and the community.
Creating an elder-friendly community will require organizations from throughout the community to identify their niches - the resources and competencies they can leverage to contribute to this important work. Equally important will be the energy, talent, and commitment of individuals of all ages and from all sectors of the community.
Joining organizational and individual strengths, we can build a system that supports the successful aging of all older adults, from the frail and isolated to the active, healthy and mobile. In doing so, we will minimize the human and financial costs of aging while maximizing the potential for addressing broad community issues - thereby creating a true community for a lifetime.
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Kate Luckert
Grand Rapids Community Foundation |
Address: |
161 Ottawa Avenue NW, Ste. 209C
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
Phone:
E-Mail: |
616-454-1751
kluckert@grfoundation.org |
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