Is your community "elder-friendly?" What makes a community a good place to live as people grow older?

There are tangible factors, such as

• access to opportunities such as housing alternatives, jobs, meaningful volunteer work, and recreation pursuits;
• access to services such as in-home programs that help frail elders stay in their homes as long as possible, transportation programs for people unable to drive, medical care, preventive services; and
• a physical environment that allows an elder person, or any person with mobility problems, to move about the community. This may include large print directional signs, longer walk signals at intersections, well cared for sidewalks, and sturdy benches along well-traveled walkways.

Intangible factors are also very important. An elder-friendly community is one where older adults:

• are safe
• feel liked and respected
• are needed and appreciated for their contributions
• can enjoy being part of the overall community

A recent study, "The Maturing of America-Getting Communities on Track for an Aging Population" found that only 46% of American communities have begun planning to address the needs of the exploding population of Baby Boomers. As the Baby Boomer generation – born between 1946 and 1964 – reaches retirement age, the demand for "elder-friendly' services will intensify – are YOU ready?

The full report, which is available on line at: http://www.n4a.org includes key findings, a list of best practices for communities to consider, and highlights programs of ten communities with great ideas.

The study was conducted through a partnership with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, the International City/County Management Association, the National Association of Counties, the National Leagues of Cities and Partners for Livable Communities.

The American Association of Retired People has a publication, available online or by mail, that can help you assess your community's readiness: Livable Communities: An Evaluation Guide. This guide helps residents identify areas where they can direct their energies toward making their community more livable for themselves and for others.

- Jeri Marxman, Extension Specialist, Public Policy

For an organization that has been around for as long as it has, University of Illinois Extension, through its staff on campus and in the field, does not presume to know all the needs of the people we exist to serve. Every year, Extension professionals devote time and energy to identifying what the people of Illinois need and want in respect to research-based education and service. With that information in hand, they develop a Plan of Work that focuses on those needs in ways that connect research-based approaches to addressing issues.

This year Extension's Community & Economic Development (CED) Team took an ambitious approach to gathering information. First a survey was developed, designed to collect information both online and via paper copies. Extension County Directors were asked to assist in identifying key informants from several categories (agriculture; business; government; nonprofits; and so on). The final tally showed a total of 2,219 responses statewide with at least one response from 86 counties and from hundreds of distinct zip codes. Respondents who identified as either a current or former official comprised almost a quarter of the total, a significant number.

So what was learned? Most striking is the perception that leadership training is lacking in many areas. That is to say, when given a list describing more than 20 distinct program options, 80% of the respondents said in answering four different questions that there is an "urgent" or "moderate" need for leadership training

1. for adults,
2. for youth,
3. for elected officials, and
4. for nonprofit directors.

In a separate section of the survey respondents were asked to agree or disagree with statements as they applied to their respective communities; almost 70% "agreed" or "strongly agreed" with the statement that "a lack of people willing to serve as leaders and volunteers in community organizations is a growing problem."

The need for leadership was clearly obvious, but the expressed need for economic development programs and technical assistance was not far behind. First of all, there were five areas described by more than 50% of all respondents as "excellent" or "good" opportunities for economic development:

1. supporting and expanding health care services;
2. preserving and promoting agriculture/agribusiness;
3. promoting tourism;
4. supporting and expanding existing businesses; and
5. promoting new residential development.

Supporting these findings were the more than 80% of respondents who said there is a need (either "urgent" or "moderate") for educational programs and technical assistance for small business owners and managers, followed closely by an identified need for similar services around downtown revitalization.

Were there any differences between the responses provided by elected officials when compared to those of non-elected officials? For the most part, the answers corresponded quite nicely, but in response to the statement "Local elected officials are doing a good job of providing leadership," 67% of elected officials thought this was true while only 50% of non-elected respondents agreed.

Other than this very brief summary, what comes next from all this information? The intent of the survey was to determine the needs of Illinois's citizens and communities so that University of Illinois Extension professionals can develop programs that will address them. Extension's CED Team of educators has created ten Issue Groups, each charged with developing informational and technical assistance programs that can be delivered in rural Illinois to address the needs identified through this statewide survey. In this way University of Illinois Extension can continue to help you put knowledge to work, as always based on the best research available.

Space does not permit any extensive summary of the survey results. Much more information was obtained, which is available in a summary report via a link at: www.communitydevelopment.uiuc.edu. More information about Extension's Community & Economic Development programming can be found there, as well.

- Earl Bricker, Community/Economic Development Educator, University of Illinois Extension, Adams/Brown Unit