In May 1963, President John F. Kennedy launched the first monthlong celebration of older Americans. Even then, with only 16 million people aged 65 years or older living in the United States, JFK knew the value of honoring older Americans, celebrating their contributions to our communities and our nation. Now more than ever we have…
Read MoreInclusiveness for an Aging Population
(Image Courtesy of Larrygrams) Americans are living longer than ever before. Thanks to advances in healthcare technologies we have increased the life expectancy by an average of roughly 30 years since 1900. Considering a person in Oregon lives until they are approximately 79.5 and the average age of retirement is 66, this leaves 13.5 golden…
Read MoreAge Friendly Communities: Transportation
Welcome to our second issue on Age-friendly cities. Last time we discussed Outdoor Spaces and Buildings and now we are digging into Transportation. Even if you have lots of inviting parks near you, it doesn’t matter if you can’t get there on time. As we age, accomplishing daily tasks like driving and parking may become…
Read MoreAge-Friendly Communities: Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
In 2007 the World Health Organization released its report Global Age-Friendly Cities: A Guide, in which it details specific criteria for Outdoor Spaces and buildings. Both of these are vital as our environment has a direct effect on our well-being, both mental and physical. A stroll in the park or a comfortable bench may not…
Read MoreThinking Outside the Box to Make Growing Older Easier
What are the biggest issues for older adults in Central Oregon? The Council on Aging asked more than 100 locals to share their thoughts and ideas for solutions.
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