Chicago Police Station Converted to LGBT Senior Home

A former police station on the North Side of Chicago that once symbolized discrimination will be incorporated into a housing development for LGBT seniors in the Boystown neighborhood.

According to the Chicago Sun Times, “For $1, the city will sell the old Town Hall District station, 3600 N. Halsted, to Heartland Housing Inc., sources said. The nonprofit developer will incorporate the old station into new construction of about 90 apartments for senior citizens.”

The sale requires city council approval. Heartland Housing said it must secure tax credits and other funding sources to keep apartments affordable, with the funding process expected to take about a year. Apartments will be priced for lower-income renters.

New Research Demonstrates the Value of Social Connectedness for Older Adults

by Richard Shank on October 29, 2010

The research reported in this article is not directly about the move-in process into Long Term Care (LTC) or Senior Living (SL); however, it implies that competitive organizations will have to recreated the same sense of community within their residence that older adults feel they have left behind when they move in.

Researchers from University of South Carolina outlined the importance of salient social connections in the lives of older adults. “Salient connections…form the basis for all human existence and it is the phenomenon of connectedness that brings quality of life.” This seemingly commonsensical statement is far too often taken-for-granted and thus overlooked by many. Just as in the1980s when economists had to be reminded that market relationships are embedded in a web of social connections, today many service providers can stand to benefit from being reminded that the social connections their residents have help drive the satisfaction and quality of life of their residents. Additionally, these social connections help shape the decision to move into your residence. So paying attention to the social needs and relationships of residents or potential residents will help both program development and marketing.
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The Older Volunteers Enrich America Awards Program Celebrates and Promotes Volunteering Among Adults Over the Age of 50

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the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) announced recipients of the 2010 MetLife Foundation Older Volunteers Enrich America Awards. The program, now in its eighth year, honors the exemplary contributions of older volunteers and promotes volunteering among older adults nationwide. The award-winning volunteers, who range in age from 59 to 95 years, were in Washington today to attend a ceremony in their honor.

“Every town -- no matter how small or large – can use the time and talent of volunteers to strengthen communities,” said Dennis White, president and CEO, MetLife Foundation. “We are pleased to join n4a in honoring 26 older volunteers who are making a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families and improving the overall quality of community life. They are an inspiration to people of all ages.”

The award winners, selected by a blue ribbon panel, are recognized in three categories: Community Champion, which honors those who use their time and talent to make their community a better place to live; Mentor, which recognizes older volunteers who are devoted to working with young people and their families; and Team Spirit, which pays tribute to older volunteers who assist older adults.
And the Winners Are

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Resources and Tools for Older Driver Safety and Transitioning

On April 11, Essie Wagner, older driver program analyst for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Jacob Nelson, director of traffic safety policy & research at AAA; and Lisa Tucker, project coordinator/training & technical assistance specialist at NCST, joined together to present on Resources and Tools for Older Driver Safety and Transitioning. An MP3 podcast, transcript, and copy of the presentation are available at the NCST site. The presentation took place at the Lifesavers National Conference on Highway Safety Priorities, and it identifies new tools aimed at older drivers, their families, and health and medical professionals; a discussion of the effectiveness of the tools; and strategies for their use with older drivers.

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Transportation: The Silent Need

Transportation: The Silent Need provides the results of a survey of the nationwide network of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and reflects their knowledge and opinions about senior transportation.

The survey of Area Agencies on Aging was undertaken by the National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST) as a first step in our efforts to identify the extent to which the Aging Network, including AAAs, Title VI Aging Services Programs, State Units on Aging, and Aging Transportation Services Providers, is involved in the delivery, administration and coordination of transportation services for senior citizens.

Summary The survey’s particular focus from the AAAs’ viewpoint should be considered when interpreting the survey results; nevertheless, we believe the report is useful and will enhance understanding of senior transportation. AAAs’ perspectives and knowledge of transportation are informed by their work on behalf of older people. A total of 367 Area Agencies, 58.3% of AAAs nationwide, responded to the survey. As the survey indicates, AAAs play a variety of roles in senior transportation - advocating, planning, administering, coordinating and providing services.

Of particular note are the following survey findings:
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National Center on Senior Transportation: Projects & Funding: Student Projects

Description of 2009 - 2010 Program and Application Procedures

Deadline: Thursday, December 17, 2009, no later than 11:59 p.m. E.S.T.
Overview

The National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST) is a collaborative effort between Easter Seals and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a). Its mission is to increase transportation options for older adults and enhance their ability to live more independently within their communities throughout the United States. Established in 2006, the NCST is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration in cooperation with the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Aging.

The NCST is once again pleased to announce an opportunity for currently enrolled university students to conduct a project that relates to older adult transportation. Through this program, the National Center on Senior Transportation anticipates awarding a number of post-baccalaureate students with awards up to $2,000 per award to expand upon current transportation/mobility-related projects to benefit older adults and transportation service delivery networks. Funding need not be used for new initiatives and can expand upon a project that is already underway.

Funds may be used to provide partial support to their research projects or for travel to disseminate research findings. The product generated as part of this program will be used to contribute solutions to transportation challenges that older adults, their caregivers, and the communities where they reside face. It is anticipated that products developed will be nationally distributed through the NCST library.

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