|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
What is an Elder Friendly Community?
Being Elder Friendly means the community has the following set of assets in place that have been shown to improve the lives of Michigan seniors.
- Safety and Security: There is a high level of personal safety in the community.
- Transportation: It is easy to get around in the community and planes, trains and buses are readily accessible for traveling out-of-town.
- Supportive Community Systems: The community has good cell phone service, high speed internet, and multi-channel television. Services are located near populations and needed services are readily available. Seniors are considered when community decisions are made.
- Commercial Viability: Businesses and services are available that meet senior needs.
- Housing: There is affordable housing matching a variety of lifestyle needs for seniors.
- Access to Health Care: Seniors can be confident they can meet their medical needs now and in the future.
- Enriching Opportunities: Opportunities for seniors to keep learning new things are available
- Recreation: A variety of opportunities exist to meet the diverse interests of seniors. The community is walkable.
- Spiritual Connections: A variety of places to worship exist and welcome and support seniors.
- Embracing and Appreciative Attitude: Community members and leaders recognize the value of seniors in the community and treat them respectfully and appreciatively.
|
|
|
|
|
| Otsego EFC Leadership Team Steering Committee |
|
|
Phil Alexander
MSU Extension - Otsego County
Linda Cronk
MSU Extension - Otsego & Crawford Counties
Dona Wishart
Otsego County Commission on Aging
|
|
| Otsego County Elder Friendly Community Project Leadership Team Roster |
|
|
Joe Duff
Gaylord City Manager
Ken Glasser
Glasser Insurance Agency, Inc.
John Jenkins
Gaylord Police Department, Chief
Bridget Johnson
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
Bob Kasprzak
Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce
Jan Kellogg
Northeast MI County of Governments
|
Mary King
Otsego Memorial Hospital
Kara LaMarre
Region 9 Area Agency on Aging
Mary Sanders
Otsego County Economic Alliance
Jodi Schlaufman
Otsego Department of Human Services
Alice Yeoman
Northern Homes Community Dev. Corp.
|
|
|
| Michigan Vital Aging Think Tank |
|
The Michigan Vital Aging Think Tank includes representatives from AARP, American Red Cross, Compass Communications, Elder Law of Michigan, Michigan Center for Nursing, Michigan Department of Community Health, Michigan Office of Services to the Aging, MSU Community Agriculture Recreation and Resource Studies, MSU College of Human Medicine, MSU Dept. of Family and Child Ecology, MSU Department of Family Practice, MSU Extended Education, MSU Extension, MSU School of Social Work, MSU Human Resources Department Family Resource Center, MSU Extension, Tri-County Office on Aging, Wayne State University, and Western Michigan University. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The number of seniors in Michigan is increasing... and that's a good thing!
Over the next fifteen years there will be a 41% increase in the number of residents age 65 and over. That's 500,000 additional people age 65 and over by the year 2020.
The majority of these seniors will be vital, independent residents who can be a source of civic, social and financial capital. They can serve as volunteers and activists, board members and elected officials, funders and community leaders. But communities must make a commitment to "ease the way" for this population group. The Certified Elder Friendly Community project will help communities achieve that goal.
|
|
|
|
|
In 2004, the State Advisory Council on Aging held discussions on "elder friendly" communities. In their Annual Report they concluded that there are characteristics of communities that make a community more "livable" or manageable for residents. The six interdependent characteristics they identified that create an "elder friendly" community are:
- Walkability
- Supportive community systems
- Access to health care
- Safety and security
- Housing
- Transportation
They also recognized the importance of shifting the focal point "from an illness to wellness perspective."
In the report's action steps the Council recommends:
- Becoming more involved in the Michigan Cool Cities Initiative
- Creating an "information czar" to collect and disseminate information on "elder friendly" community initiatives in Michigan
- Create a toolkit to share with local communities that will help them implement local projects
- Develop new partnerships to promote the report's objectives • Initiate a statewide recognition/award program to support the creation of "elder friendly" communities.
Click here to view the full report online. (PDF)
This paper summarizes how Michigan State University Extension and the Office of Services to the Aging, in cooperation with partners from around the state, are implementing a program to accomplish those action steps
|
|
|
|
|
Pending: The final report to the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging is slated for October 2006.
However, Otsego County Commissioners endorsed a resolution in support of Michigan Certified Elder Friendly Community in October, 2005.
Click here to view Resolution.
|
|
|
|
|
Linda Cronk
Extension Educator
MSU Extension |
Phone: 989-344-3279 |
|
E-Mail: cronkl@msu.edu |
|
|
|
|
Phil Alexander
Otsego County Director
MSU Extension
|
Phone: 989-731-0272 |
|
E-Mail: alexan17@msu.edu |
|
|
|
|
Dona Wishart
Assistant Director
Otsego County Commission on Aging |
Phone: 989-732-1122 |
|
E-Mail: cronkl@msu.edu |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|