An Emerging Typology of Community Aging Initiatives

Abstract

A growing number of initiatives across the country are working to bring about comprehensive changes in community physical and social environments to help older persons meet their long-term care needs and age in place. This study seeks to address gaps in the literature by developing a typologyof community aging initiatives and examining variations in community change processes, including the methods they use, roles of participants, funding sources, and challenges. Based on responses to online surveys and the existing community change literature, 124 initiatives were grouped into 5 categories: (a) communitywide planning, (b) consumer-driven support networks, (c) cross-sector systems change initiatives, (d) residence-based support services, and (e) single-sector services. This emerging typology may serve as a useful organizing framework from which to develop future evaluations of the effectiveness and sustainability of these initiatives.

Keywords:

• aging in place
• community practice models
• gerontology

Acknowledgments

Research funded through the MetLife Foundation. Amanda Lehning is currently supported by NIA grant T32-AG000117.