| Older Dominion Partnership |
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The Older Dominion Partnership (ODP) is a non-profit initiative by Virginia business, government, foundations, and non-profits to help Virginia prepare for the age wave -- the doubling of the Commonwealth's 65+ year old population from ~900,000 today to over ~1.8 million by 2030. The ODP serves as an inspiration, catalyst, and independent platform for networking, collaborating and planning.
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| Call for Ideas! |
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What kinds of articles or information would you like to see in this newsletter or on the ODP Web site? See what we are doing at
www.olderdominion.org
and make suggestions.
We gladly accept articles for publication in this e-Newsletter. Please send them to administrator @olderdominion.org
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Member Profile
 Meet Ayn Welleford, chair of the Department of Gerontology at Virginia Commonwealth University; member of the ODP Civic Engagement Work Group.
Quote: "Lack of gerontological education and poor support for existing informal care are the most pressing issues. Informal care makes up the majority of our existing eldercare support services. Without this, our system would no longer function... Listen! Partner! Plan!" Read the profile.
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Articles & Reports
High Toilets Are Nice, But What the 55+ Market Really Wants Is Non-Slip Floors!
Builders of new homes for the 55+ market are sensitive to the special needs of older citizens, but there is still a gap between the product offered in the marketplace and the amenities that seniors are seeking, according to a new report, "55+ Housing: Builders, Buyers and Beyond," published by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the MetLife Mature Market Institute (MMI).
For instance, 63% of the houses started by builders for the 55+ market were one-story structures, while 79% of survey respondents indicated they wanted one-story homes -- a gap of 16 percentage points. There were wide gaps as well for such amenities as emergency call buttons (19-point gap), large medicine cabinets (17-point gap), easy-open windows (21-point gap), and non-slip floors (34-point gap). Read the report.
Disconnecting the Dots
The elderly population is like a pointillist canvas, wrote Ed Ansello, director of the Virginia Center on Aging at Virginia Commonwealth University, and ODP shared database work group member, in a recent Richmond Times-Dispatch op-ed piece. From a distance, the senior population as a whole looks uniform, but up close, individual seniors are even more individuated than young people.
Those who supply products and services to the elderly population must understand that seniors vary widely in education levels, financial wherewithal, support systems, levels of health, and life experiences. "Initiatives like the Older Dominion Partnership can help here in Virginia by discouraging pronouncements and generalizations about older adults." Read more. Two New Labor Force Reports
Virginia ranks in the top third of states by labor force participation of the 65+ population. Source: "Labor Force Participation Rate of People 65 Years and Older: 2008 American Community Survey," by David J. Howard and Braedyn K. Woodring ( ACSBR/08-10, September 2009, .pdf format, 3p.)" Read the report. Virginia also ranks in the top third by percentage of 66+ workers who work full time. Source: "Work Status of People 65 Years and Older: 2008 American Community Survey," by Braedyn K. Woodring and David J. Howard (ACSBR/08-10, September 2009, .pdf format, 4p.). Read the report. Age Friendly Super Markets Japan has the fastest growing aging population in the world, no wonder they are taking a lead in adapting to seniors' needs. Example: Elderly-friendly supermarkets. According to the Daily Yomiuri, innovations include slower-moving escalators, larger signage and lighter shopping cars. Aeon Co., the operator of Jusco supermarkets, has widened aisles in its stores so elderly and disabled people can move around more easily. Read more.
It's one thing to make grocery stores more senior-friendly on the inside, but Virginia needs to make them more senior friendly on the outside -- as in, making them more accessible to older shoppers who cannot drive. Organizing van pools for seniors is only a partial solution. Ideally, senior housing and grocery stores would be located in closer proximity, and streetscapes would be more accessible to pedestrians.
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ODP Fall Meeting
Richmond, VA
Thursday
November 5, 2009
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Cost: Donations Accepted
Don't miss the upcoming ODP Fall member-wide meeting where you will hear about:
- Our accomplishments to date
- Age wave preparedness across the nation
- Planning progress on the state level
- Learn where the ODP is headed
- Engage in a focused discussion on expanding partnerships
Review the agenda.
Space is limited. Please RSVP by clicking on this link.
Location: Richmond Times-Dispatch Downtown, 300 E. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA, 23219. Click here for directions.
Central Virginia Age Wave Planning Meeting
Lynchburg, VA
Friday
November 20, 2009
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $25
Inspired by the ODP, Lynchburg and six surrounding counties are kicking-off a central Virginia Age Wave Planning meeting. This executive-level planning session is for community leaders in Central Virginia to prepare for the doubling of our senior population.
To register or to request information contact The Beard Center on Aging, 434-544-8456.
Location: 1501 Lakeside Dr. Lynchburg, Virginia, Lynchburg College
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