 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Michael K. Gusmano, PhD and Victor Rodwin, PhD. World Cities Project, International Longevity Center-USA, 60 East 86th Street, New York, NY 10028
What will be the impact of population aging on community life, in 2020, when the Census Bureau projects that over 20 percent of the U.S. population will be over 65 years of age? New York City is a unique laboratory for exploring this question for four reasons: 1) It is the city with the greatest number of older persons in the nation; 2) Its older population is characterized by tremendous racial and ethnic diversity; 3) Its neighborhoods include some of the wealthiest and most disadvantaged households in the nation. 4) It contains neighborhoods where there are already 20 percent or more of the population 65 years of age or older.
This paper investigates the characteristics of neighborhoods that foster healthy and productive aging, based on semi-structured interviews with care providers, community leaders and older persons in a random sample of neighborhoods, stratified by socioeconomic status and proportion of older residents. We explore the scope and role of social networks, particularly interactions with family, friends and neighbors. The paper aims to: 1) identify the ways that different communities of older persons obtain support services when they become frail; 2) assess how the quality of a neighborhood’s built environment and collective resources, including aspects of “social capital,” influence the ability of older persons to remain healthy and productive.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Community Assets, Elderly
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.