US: Aging Boomers Strain Cities Built for the Young

[marmar]

NEW YORK (AP) — America's cities are beginning to grapple with a fact of life: People are getting old, fast, and they're doing it in communities designed for the sprightly.

To envision how this silver tsunami will challenge a youth-oriented society, just consider that seniors soon will outnumber schoolchildren in hip, fast-paced New York City.

It will take some creative steps to make New York and other cities age-friendly enough to help the coming crush of older adults stay active and independent in their own homes.

"It's about changing the way we think about the way we're growing old in our community," said New York Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs. "The phrase 'end of life' does not apply anymore." ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/10293651/us-aging-boomers-strain-cities-built-for-the-young

[CreekDog]

1. New York is better for the old than Phoenix, contrary to popular opinion

New York is built for people who don't/can't drive.

It has mass transit, it has many shops and other things within relatively short distances.

It has deliveries of every sort.

If you can't drive in Phoenix --good luck.

Which city was apparently built for the young and which one for the old?

Not what you'd think isn't it?

[Jazz Ambassador]

3. Exactly. I live in the heart of DC

And would be happy to grow old here. I'm on several major bus lines, a block and a half from the metro, walking distance (<1/2 mile) to 3 different grocery stores, 3 different pharmacies, and dozens of other shops and restaurants. I was going to buy a car when I moved here last year, then realized I didn't need to bother.

By contrast, my mother lives in a rapidly graying suburb of Chicago and is basically trapped.

Non-auto-centric cities FTW!

[WinkyDink]

2. We've had this thread, and it wasn't edifying the first time.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. I'd love to talk about the subject but the language stops me

Our cities were 'designed for the sprightly'? I do not think our cities were really designed at all, they grew at random. And how is people getting old a newsflash, and how are people now getting old faster than previously? "People are getting old, fast" well, ok. I guess in the 70's folks got young, slowly?
Sorry to go off like this, but the nonsense level of the writing makes it hard to be serious about this. And frankly, NYC is easier to be older or slower in than many other places, they deliver and have cabs and trains and neighborhood shops. If the money is there, NY is good for my aching back.

[WinkyDink]

6. Not to menton, Americans are staying young longer than ever. Childish, even!

[HockeyMom]

5. My Mom lived alone in NYC

Actually, it was easier for her to get around there, than say where we lived on LI. The suburbs have very little mass transit. You have to drive everywhere. Not good for somebody who is old and have physical problems.

Mom took cabs. There were stores on every corner where she didn't have to walk very far. The pharmacies delievered her meds. The supermarket delivered her groceries. She lived in a co-op where she knew most of the people. They would stop in on her to see how she was doing and asked if they could run errands for her.

I still say an old person is better off in a major city than in a suburb or rural town.

[supernova]

7. Another vote for urban mixed use areas

And I'll plug Europe here again. I lived in Vienna for a short time when I was in college and traveled to other large cities in Europe. It was easy to get around with mass transit. Plenty of what you need within walking distance (about 1/4 to 1/2 mile) of neighborhood grocers, restaurants, book stores, tobacconists (where you buy tram tickets). and always within easy reach of the subway. The old people in my neighborhood where I lived as a student seemed very happy getting around town. We had a small grocery store, somewhere between a small grocer here and large convenience store. We had a couple of guest houses where you could eat and pass the time with your neighbors. A bookstore if you wanted something to read. The city center was about a 25 min tram ride away. It was green and lush and there were plenty of walkways. I wish I could go back there.