According to the AARP website: As the U.S. population ages and people stay healthy and active longer, communities must adapt. Well-designed, livable communities promote health and sustain economic growth, and they make for happier, healthier residents — of all ages.
The United States was home to 46 million senior
citizens as of 2016 -- about 15% of the total population. In Massachusetts the percent of the population age 65 and up is 15.8%.
By 2060, the number
of Americans 65 and older is projected to more than double to nearly 100
million and comprise roughly 24% of the total population. As the country ages
and the number of retirement-age citizens hits all-time highs, the health and
well-being of American seniors is more important than ever.
The quality of life for elderly
Americans often depends on the facilities, businesses, and living conditions in
their home state. As is the case for Americans of any age, senior citizens are
more likely to be happy and healthy if they are financially secure and living
in a safe area with a low crime rate. Other factors, including access to public
transportation, medical treatment facilities, and social venues, are often far
more important for elderly Americans than for other age groups.
My health care provider, IORA, is holding a 6 week class, entitled "Advocacy through Art: A photography class promoting community change". In these sessions, we will discuss what age friendly communities should look like; what is working in our communities and what is not working in our communities for seniors. We will be using photography to visually display our findings. Age friendly communities promote policies, services, settings and structures that support active aging. (WHO 2007)2
- Age Friendly Communities (as defined by World Health Organization)
- Photovoice1
- Create and Discuss Photo
- Create and Plan Exhibit
- Finalize Work
- Exhibit
On the last class, we will exhibit our photography and ideas to the community and invite local politicians to come and view the exhibit and discuss the issues with us.
I will be blogging about my experience in the class and the discussions that are held. My community focus will be Somerville Ma.
For details on each class session, select appropriate TAB above.
For details on each class session, select appropriate TAB above.
1: Photovoice, a participatory research methodology first formally articulated by Caroline Wang and Mary Anne Burris (1997), provides a process by which people can “identify, represent, and enhance their community through a specific photographic technique”
2: "Using photovoice with older adults: some methodological strengths and issues"
SHEILA NOVEK, TONI MORRIS-OSWALD, VERENA MENEC
Journal: Ageing & Society / Volume 32 / Issue 3 / April 2012
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X11000377
Published online: 06 May 2011, pp. 451-470
Print publication: April 2012
