title: Students explore livable communities.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: College of Public and Community Service, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125-3393, USA. nina.silverstein@umb.edu
authors.forename: Nina M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Silverstein
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Johns
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Griffin
mesh_terms: 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