How Prepared Is the Charlotte Region to Handle the Aging Boom?

Innovators to Hold Discussion on 'Aging in Place' at Byron's Southend

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of the
national movement to promote the "Aging in Place" initiative, which is
aimed at helping older Americans remain in their communities, the city of
Charlotte has been selected to host the sixth of six national workshops
sponsored by MetLife Foundation, Partners for Livable Communities
(Partners), and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a).
The workshop, "Land Use Planning and Design: Creating a Livable Community
in the Centralina Region for All Ages," will be co-hosted by the Centralina
Council of Governments and the Centralina Area Agency on Aging. The
workshop will be held at the Byron's Southend on June 18 from 10 a.m. to
3:30 p.m.

The local discussion will complement the dynamic national conversation
taking place on aging, and will highlight the creative work already
occurring in Charlotte to make it a first-rate place for all age groups.
The workshop is a unique opportunity for Centralina to begin looking at the
region and to hear the steps that other communities have taken to create
livable communities.

With the Centralina region approaching the 2.4 million population mark
in 2020, local leaders are calling for strategies to help strengthen "Aging
in Place" services. Workshop speakers and panelists will focus on ways to
address physical environment issues like housing and transportation.

"With a staggering increase in the over-sixty population in our nine
counties between the year 2000 and 2030, it is critical that our
communities get serious about addressing changes needed in our communities
for this population growth," said Gayla Woody, aging program administrator
of the Centralina Area Agency on Aging. "The changes can't happen
overnight, but with thoughtful planning and consideration, our communities
will be livable communities for all."

"Creating livable communities involves all aspects of community living,
and land use planning and design is key in the development process," said
Sandy Markwood, CEO of n4a. "Because of the efforts of communities like
Centralina, communities can become good places to live for all ages."



At the workshop, participants will learn how to apply for small
"JumpStart the Conversation" grants, which will be given to support
innovative ideas that further the concept of land use planning and design.

"Through the workshop and grant opportunities, communities will gain a
renewed sense of urgency when it comes to considering community livability
for all ages," said Robert McNulty, president of Partners. "We're looking
to bring together an energized group of organizations and individuals in
order to face the challenges that accompany this time of change."

"We are pleased to support the 'Aging in Place' initiative, which
encourages organizations to think creatively about how to better address
the needs of older adults," said Sibyl Jacobson, president of MetLife
Foundation. "These ongoing conversations benefit all of us, and will help
create livable communities for people of all ages."

MetLife Foundation -- Established in 1976 by MetLife for the purpose of
supporting education, health, civic and cultural organizations. In aging,
MetLife funds programs that support healthy aging and address caregiving
issues, intergenerational activities, mental fitness and volunteerism. For
more information, visit http://www.metlife.org

Partners for Livable Communities (Partners) -- A national, nonprofit
organization working to renew communities for all ages. For more
information, visit http://www.livable.com



National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) - A leading voice
on aging issues for Area Agencies on Aging across the country and Title VI
Native American aging programs. For more information, visit http://www.n4a.org.

For more information on the Aging in Place Initiative, visit
http://www.aginginplaceinitiative.org

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[Via Real Estate Newswire]