The New River Valley Aging In Place Leadership Team hosted its second workshop on October 22nd, 2014 to explore the financial, policy, and decision-making obstacles that traditionally get in the way of making our homes and communities truly lifespan friendly. 123 people participated in the workshop including local government staff, elected officials, in-home care givers, social workers, physical therapists, homebuilders, developers, assisted living administrators, realtors, and more. The workshop helped to increase participants’ knowledge of aging in place issues in the NRV, identify respective challenges for caregivers, local governments, and developers, and share best practices for supporting aging in place.
The first workshop held in 2013 focused on exploring housing and neighborhood design features that could extend independence for older adults and foster healthy and successful aging in place in rural, suburban and core downtown areas. For a copy of the Lifespan Friendly Homes, Neighborhoods and Communities: Design Strategies and Implementation Guidebook developed after the first workshop, click here.