Students explore livable communities.
In 2006 and 2007, undergraduate and certificate students in gerontology at the University of Massachusetts Boston investigated the elder livability of seven area communities. Elder "livability" refers to features of a local community that support residents who wish to age in place--characteristics such as the availability of appropriate services, transportation options, and affordable housing. A survey developed by AARP guided the research and facilitated its completion within a single academic semester. With its potential to benefit both students and researched cities and towns, the Livable Communities project is recommended to gerontology educators and action researchers as a meaningful, real-world inquiry into factors affecting the ability of older adults to age in place.
Silverstein
Nina M
NM
College of Public and Community Service, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125-3393, USA. nina.silverstein@umb.edu
Johns
Elizabeth
E
Griffin
Judith A
JA
D003153:Community Health Services; D004777:Environment; D005853:Geriatrics; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D012947:Social Work; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students; D014186:Transportation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016138:Walking