Many Finger Lakes residents report that they intend to age in place by remaining in their homes as long as possible.
As the Finger Lakes region prepares to meet the needs of aging residents, a new Common Ground Health spotlight, Aging in Place - Re-imagining Housing for Older Adults, examines the supports needed to help residents age in place.
This data spotlight features some local housing pressures that influence whether people are able to age in place. Additionally, it urges communities to continue their efforts to coordinate services that are provided for older adults in their homes.
“Those with higher incomes and more assets can choose where they live, but this option is not available to those with limited means,” said Wade Norwood, CEO of Common Ground Health. “We need to create a system where all people are able to get the care they need in the setting they choose without regard for their income. We need to engage older adults in this conversation so that their choices can be respected and accommodated.”
The spotlight looks at five trends influencing whether there will be adequate housing for the region’s older adults. These are: the growing population of older adults and more older adults living alone; an older housing stock that is not conducive to aging in place; housing affordability gaps; investments by local governments; and systemic barriers that have led to significant wealth and home equity gaps for today’s Black and Latino older adults.
The spotlight highlights several promising practices that can be supported to expand aging services, and it notes several policy changes that could make a difference in the highlighted trends.
“We know that people want to age in their family homes and neighborhoods, and the number of older adults are steadily increasing” said Melissa Wendland, director of strategic initiatives for Common Ground. “By modifying and expanding housing opportunities throughout our region, we want to give people choices that best fit their circumstances.”
The spotlight draws on local data from a variety of sources, including the responses of people 55 years and older from nine counties to Common Ground’s 2022 My Health Story survey. This regional health equity survey captured data focused on informing actionable steps to improve health equity in the Finger Lakes region.
Access the spotlight at commongroundhealth.org/aginginplace.