AARP and the State of North Carolina collaborate to help people “Age My Way”

RALEIGH, NC – Older North Carolinians, who now outnumber youthful ones, love the place they dwell. However a major concern on the subject of ageing, is being able to dwell independently for so long as doable in keeping with a brand new AARP survey of adults ages 45 and older.

A collaborative effort between AARP and the State of North Carolina referred to as, “Age My Method NC,” requested folks how their communities, counties, and rural areas are assembly the wants of the state’s rising inhabitants of older adults.

Age My Method NC is an effort to establish and prioritize the wanted adjustments to assist what has turn out to be the state’s largest inhabitants group, older adults. The findings the group launched as we speak are primarily based on a statewide survey of three,209 residents. It was carried out between Might 2, via August 26, 2022, and has a margin of error of 1.8 p.c.

Governor Roy Cooper, who addressed the Age my Method NC Summit the place the survey outcomes are being examined stated, “Our ageing inhabitants strengthens our state and our communities. We’ll proceed working to make North Carolina a spot the place seniors can dwell lengthy lives of engagement and objective.”

NC Secretary of the Division of Well being and Human Providers (NCDHHS) Kody H. Kinsley stated, “We’re dedicated to enhancing the well being and well-being of everybody residing in North Carolina throughout their lifespan. At NCDHHS, efforts in every of our prime priorities — supporting behavioral well being and resilience, strengthening baby and household well-being, and constructing a robust and inclusive workforce – work collectively to make sure older adults can thrive.”

Age My Method NC collaborator Mary Penny Kelley, Government Director of Hometown Robust, a Governor’s initiative serving to react to the wants of rural communities stated, “Supporting older adults is matter of frequent sense and {dollars} and cents. They account for 40 p.c of the state’s Gross Home Product (GDP) and 40 p.c of our jobs.”

Director of the NC Division on Getting older and Grownup Providers Joyce Massey-Smith stated, “In just some brief years, there can be extra folks residing in North Carolina over age 65 that underneath 17. Figuring out how we will finest assist folks on the neighborhood and state stage is important on the subject of wholesome ageing within the state.”

Age My Method NC Survey Findings:
Whereas most stated they wish to keep within the present properties and communities so long as doable, there have been a number of main elements for shifting together with: properties didn’t permit for impartial residing, social isolation’s adverse influence on well being, in addition to bills of wanted providers to take care of their properties.

Residing Independently – Key Findings

• 99% of survey respondents stated that it is very important dwell independently in their very own dwelling as they age.
• 76% of survey respondents rated their present neighborhood as an “glorious, superb or good” place to dwell as they age.
• 53% of survey respondents stated they’re prone to keep of their present dwelling and by no means transfer, whereas 17% stated they’d relocate inside their neighborhood and 30% stated they’d relocate elsewhere.
• 22% of survey respondents stated they really feel remoted from others and 31 p.c stated they’ve an absence of companionship.

Different vital elements for leaving their dwelling had been private security and safety points; wanting to dwell in an space with higher well being care services; relocating to be nearer to household; requiring extra entry to public transportation; needing to dwell in an space with a decrease value of residing; desirous to dwell in a neighborhood with extra alternatives for interplay.

Healthcare – Key Findings:
38% of respondents stated that entry to well-trained licensed dwelling well being care suppliers was “glorious, superb or good,” and solely 28% stated that care is reasonably priced.  Additionally ranked low, was the supply of reasonably priced dwelling care providers reminiscent of private care and housekeeping.

Residing independently additionally requires providers together with transportation choices, properties designed for senior residing, entry to public areas, availability to well being care and residential well being, and having the ability to be a participant in neighborhood actions and never be remoted.

Mobility and entry to public transportation – Key Findings:

• Solely 22% of respondents ranked entry to public transportation as “glorious or superb.”
• Solely 26% ranked public transportation as reasonably priced.
• Respondents gave excessive rating to easy-to-read visitors indicators and low rankings to the supply of separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians.

The Age My Method NC Survey outcomes had been launched in the course of the Age My Method NC Summit sponsored by the Governor’s Initiative “Hometown Robust,” the NC Division of Well being and Human Providers’ Division of Getting older and Grownup Service, and AARP North Carolina.

AARP North Carolina President Dr. Catherine Sevier concluded, “Like our companions right here as we speak, AARP helps the efforts of neighborhoods, cities, cities and rural areas to be nice locations for folks of all ages. We consider that communities ought to present protected, walkable streets; age-friendly housing and transportation choices; entry to wanted providers; and alternatives for residents of all ages to take part in neighborhood life.”

Extra on this initiative and “age-friendly” data might be discovered at:
https://hometownstrong.nc.gov