AARP’s Where We Live: Communities for All Ages is a free publication created by the Maryland Health Commissioner, community leaders, and non-profits, and highlights the issues and goals that certain communities are working towards to make neighborhoods, towns, and cities better places to live. Several Maryland communities made the list this year because of the hard work that community leaders took on in their pursuit to improve the livability for their residents. Some of the important changes that have been made across the state include the following:
- Increasing access to affordable housing;
- Improving walkability within neighborhoods, particularly for those aged 55 and over. This includes creating infrastructure such as island crosswalks within busy streets;
- Reducing fall risks by conducting research on fall-related injuries in older adults in Baltimore;
- Passing inclusionary zoning bills, which would make Montgomery County Maryland’s’ first AARP Age Friendly Community;
- Hosting pop-up parties to gain community input for increasing safety of dangerous streets and intersections; and
- Raising awareness about neighborhood revitalization.
Anyone can order the free paperback edition of Where We Live 2018 by emailing AARP with their name and address, or you can access the free PDF by emailing AARP.
What You Should Look For in a Retirement Community
A “livable” community or a neighborhood with good “livability” means that it is a suitable or pleasant place to live. The word is somewhat of an oddity because it points to the question: “why would someone choose to live in an unlivable place?” However, people often end up being constrained to certain cities or neighborhoods due to economic reasons or being held down by their job or family. Because you or your older loved one is retired and you no longer have to live where you once worked, there are many options for livable communities—places that value many of the following:
- Open spaces to nature and city parks;
- Affordable real estate;
- Subsidized housing;
- High prevalence of pedestrian and bike infrastructure;
- Quiet roads with slow speed limits and limited numbers of lanes;
- Public transportation and transportation for elderly people;
- Easy access to grocery stores;
- High-quality healthcare facilities nearby;
- Good public schools;
- Strong environmental protections;
- Street light and noise restrictions;
- Diverse economy;
- Balanced city budget;
- Good public institutions such as libraries and fire and police services;
- Good gym and recreational facilities;
- Wide reaching community involvement; and
- High prevalence of places for social use and events such as bike paths, amphitheaters, soccer fields, parks, farmers markets, and more.
While a senior may not directly use all of these services or characteristics of a town or city, they make the community stronger, more diverse, and overall a better place to live.
Call Maryland Elder Law Attorney Tara K. Frame
If you are searching for the perfect retirement community or wondering how you will afford the move, you should speak to an elder law attorney. Do not hesitate to contact the experienced, compassionate lawyers at Frame & Frame. Call our Pasadena law office today at 410-255-0373.
Resources:
aarp.org/livable-communities/tool-kits-resources/info-2016/where-we-live-communities-for-all-ages.html?cmp=RDRCT-CSN-OTHER-LIVCOMM2-060216
states.aarp.org/maryland-communities-highlighted-in-aarps-2018-where-we-live/
https://frameandframe.com/protecting-against-elder-financial-abuse/