As the state continues to pursue initiatives to keep seniors at home and out of nursing homes, municipalities are starting to prepare for an older population.
Whether it”™s cutting out curbs for wheelchairs or placing more benches along the street, the state”™s towns are looking for ways to be a part of the national livable communities and complete streets movements.
“We know that older adults really want to be able to age in their homes and in their communities,” said Julia Evans Starr, executive director of the state Commission on Aging. “Now we have to figure out what the community readiness of this is. What are ways we can help them prepare and embrace the opportunity, rather than look at it as a challenge?”
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy released a strategic plan to rebalance the state”™s long-term care in June so more seniors and disabled adults could avoid prolonged stays at hospitals and nursing homes. With a $13 million state investment and $72.8 million in federal funding, Malloy said he believes the plan would improve residents”™ quality of life and reduce expenses. Home care costs less than $300 a day, while a hospital stay can cost thousands of dollars a day, according to some estimates.
The Legislature also asked the Commission on Aging to create a livable communities initiative to report best practices and serve as a resources for community leaders redesigning their towns so residents can age in place. Some towns are already enacting detailed plans, while others haven”™t even begun discussing future policies. The commission”™s report is due in January.
“There”™s so many components of livable community but it”™s about the services and availability of services,” said Deborah Migneault, the commission”™s legislative and community liaison. “There”™s going to be more and more people in their homes. The question is how do we get them engaged in their communities and not isolated in their homes?”
Part of that means making towns more pedestrian friendly and moving away from a car culture, according to the commission. Older adults are less likely to drive, but they still need to go to the grocery store and the pharmacy.
With an eye to the future, New Canaan is already well on its way to creating its “livable community.” In 2010, the town”™s Health and Human Services Department began looking 20 years out, creating a detailed study and plan to cater to an aging population.
James Lisher, chairman of the town”™s HHS department, said more work needs to be done securing more affordable senior housing. But in addition adding 22 new benches along major walkways, the town also developed a senior transportation service and has begun investing in at-home technology to help seniors manage their health.
“New Canaan has always been very good about taking care of its seniors,” Lisher said. “This is an expensive place to hang around as a senior. So we want to make sure it is as pleasant and workable as we can.”
Volunteers with the town”™s Getabout transportation service drove 10,000 trips in 2012, taking seniors and disabled adults to stores, banks, community centers and friends”™ homes. Now the town is testing iPad software and equipment to measure seniors”™ vitals to avoid costly home visits from nurses. During the first round of testing, 15 of the 20 testing participants maintained or enhanced their health and 15 seniors also lost two to 20 pounds.
“This is a terrific place to grow up and grow old,” Lisher said, paraphrasing the livable communities mantra. “We”™re really lucky here.”
