What Towns Need
For Senior Residents

The fountain of youth may not exist. But that's OK. Seniors who want to age successfully, as gerontologists are fond saying, don't need Ponce de Leon's mythical fountain. Rather, they just need six things to make their communities more livable and their old age enjoyable, according to a recent AARP study.

Unfortunately, those six things are -- at the moment -- not found in each and every town, neighborhood or home, says Elinor Ginzler, director of livable communities at AARP. Sadly, she says most towns and communities are not senior-friendly. And that could become a very big problem given that most Americans want to age in place. See the report and related information, including a quiz that can help you determine how livable your town is, and what you can do to make your place of residence more livable.

Fortunately, Ginzler says, policy makers and average Joe's can make the world a better place for the 50-plus crowd. But it may take a village and then some. Here are her recommendations:

1. Community involvement

Community leaders must help older Americans become involved in their towns, neighborhoods and organizations. Local leaders, for instance, should encourage seniors to participate in the community decision-making.

"It's not just about asking them to 'do' things," says Ginzler. "And it's not just about asking them what they think about senior transportation."

Rather, she says, local leaders ought to invite seniors to participate in all decisions that affect all the generations, including where to locate the elementary and high schools, not just where to site the senior center.

Noting a direct correlation between volunteering and satisfaction, Ginzler says local leaders must also help seniors not only join religious and social-service organizations but also encourage them to become active volunteers.

"Seniors need to be connected," she says. "If you want to age successfully, you have to stay connected. It's all about staying connected."

2. Home modifications

AARP also says homes need to be designed and modified to accommodate the changing physical needs of senior citizens.

At one end of the spectrum, AARP says builders and home owners should get tax breaks for building or retrofitting homes that are senior- or what some might call family-friendly.

But even in the absence of such tax breaks, Ginzler says owners and builders can make modifications that support independent living: wide doorways, levered door handles, no-step entrances, a bedroom and a full bathroom on the first floor, an attached garage or covered parking.

What's noteworthy about these modifications is that they are just important for other generations as they are for seniors, she says. "A levered door handle is good for anyone who has trouble gripping, including seniors with arthritis, young hands and adults carrying groceries," she says.

3. Diverse housing

Seniors want to age in place. But that doesn't mean they want to stay in the same house for the rest of their lives. Rather, seniors will likely want -- given their ties and connections -- to remain living in their community as they age. And that means, says Ginzler, that towns and neighborhoods to have a good supply of what AARP calls diverse and affordable housing.

"People need choices," she says. "They need to have a variety of housing options and they need to be affordable."

4. Mixed-use developments

Local leaders also need to make their towns and neighborhoods safe and inclusive, says Ginzler. "It's not just about your house, it's what's outside your house," she says.

In short, she says, mixed-use developments would go a long way to improving the quality of life for seniors. Those developments might include, for instance, a pharmacy, grocery store, senior center and high school all in one location. Such a development would, she says, make it convenient for seniors to shop and interact with other generations.

5. Safe roadways

Seniors want to stay mobile. They especially want to keep driving. But they also need to be safe. And that's why, Ginzler says, towns and neighborhoods need to create what she calls the "best possible travel environment."

That means seniors need to have access to driver education and towns need to make sure roads are safe. For instance, AARP says towns and cities need to evaluate their roadways and modify them to accommodate older drivers. What's more, insurance companies should offer incentives to seniors who take driver-education courses.

6. Better transit

Towns and neighborhoods also must make sure there are plenty of ways for seniors to get around, including public transportation, walking, bicycling and specialized transportation. For instance, transportation providers should be encouraged to market their services to older residents and retailers and medical providers should be encouraged to help arrange for transportation for older customers.

Community checklist

Here's a quick list of items that will give you a sense of how livable your community is for older Americans:

1. Does your community have well-run community centers, recreation centers, parks and other places where older people can socialize?
2. Does your community have convenient places for you to participate in public meetings and events?
3. Are there ample opportunities to become a volunteer in your community?
4. Does your community have dependable public transportation that you would use to get to the places you would like to go?
5. Does your neighborhood have safe, well-designed sidewalks that can take you where you want to go (e.g., to a nearby grocery or drug store)?
6. Does your community have roads designed for safe driving, with clear and unambiguous signage, traffic stops and pedestrian crosswalks?
7. If you have difficulty walking or driving, are there other safe and convenient transportation options available to you, such as rides from friends or family or public transportation?
8. Is security and safety a concern in your community?
9. If you wanted or needed to leave your current home, could you find affordable housing options elsewhere in your community?
10. If you had difficulty walking around or performing a physical activity, is your home designed in a way that would allow you to complete your daily tasks?

Email your comments to rjeditor@dowjones.com.