NATIONAL AGING IN PLACE WEEK 2010
This year’s National Aging in Place week will be held from October 11th through the 17th.The following will be continuously updated with national events as they are planned, so keep checking back for ideas.
Aging in Place Week is in its seventh year.Past events have, and future events should, incorporate business to business, business to consumer, and media events. The goals of these events should focus on chapter fundraising, creating local awareness among seniors, community involvement, and finding new referrals.
Some of the past and future promotion ideas presented were:
- The publication of resource guides, highlighting local service providers;
- Official proclamations from local government;
- Story placement in local newspapers;
- Home remodeling events taking place at a senior modified home;
- A seminar on financial planning for seniors and boomers;
- Medicare seminars;
- A Miss Aging in Place contest;
- Leaflet exchanges with local theaters;
- A golf tournament where each hole had different sponsor;
- Bingo with age-in-place product and service prizes;
- Senior job fairs;
- Senior "speed dating."
IN THE WORKS
Atlanta
This year, the Atlanta chapter has ambitious plans for an "extreme home makeover-style" contest where people write letters and send photos about their homes and why it needs aging in place updating. The chapter will choose 3 – 5 people for the public to vote on to receive free services from their member providers. "The goal is to assess the home and help provide a plan," Quinn says, "as well as to get some press on aging in place. We might redo a bathroom or provide other free services to that senior, like free hours of home care or meal delivery." Along with other chapters, they may try the speed dating this year, as well.
Baltimore
Some of Baltimore’s Aging in Place Week events, which are being replicated due to last year’s success, include publishing a Resource Guide, which will list local service providers, and participating in a Senior Expo, which expects 10,000 seniors. The Governor will again proclaim National Aging in Place Week. (Amanda recommends contacting your governor and making several follow-up calls.) The chapter will hold two to three events during the week for seniors, including "speed dating" with service providers, inspired by Charleston, NC last year. At a speed dating event, seniors sit evenly divided at several tables with one open chair. They are then introduced to one service provider at a time, who sits at the table for ten minutes and answers questions about their industry and services. Then a bell will ring, and the professionals will switch tables so that all the seniors get time with someone from every profession. Sponsors of the event will donate $150 each to provide refreshments and will each get a table to promote their services. A sing-a-long will also be included. Anyone who wants a copy of the Baltimore chapter’s proclamation, or any other information, may contact Amanda at aclinton@netequitymtg.com
Central Florida
‘A Step Ahead: Central Florida’s Vision for Aging in Place,’ was an event last year that focused on creating a relationship between home builders and remodelers’ industries. Presenters discussed the development and design of senior communities, as well as homes for boomers and seniors. Speakers included the manager of Life Wellness Communities Development Company, responsible for overseeing the development of not-for-profit Senior Housing Communities; an occupational therapy professor who spoke about demographics and senior needs; a planner who discussed how to incorporate Aging in Place concepts into new development; and an administrator of home health and wellness services. The Central Flroida chapter is doing surveys and senior/caregiver focus groups to help plan for this year, and will base their event on the resulting information.
Charleston, SC
‘Aging Well - Celebrating National Aging in Place Week’ last year included free events with food and drink, door prizes, games and a sing-along. Music was provided by Priscilla White, winner of the international "Aging Well Rocks" song competition. Janet Schumacher, the Coordinator for the Mayor’s Office on Aging in Charleston, says the South Carolina Aging in Place Coalition will host a similar Aging in Place week this year.
Franklin, TN,
Last year, Community Without Walls, an independent, nonprofit program, hosted a successful Octoberfest at the Community Without Walls Program at St. Mathews Catholic Church in Franklin/Bellevue. Activities included singing German songs accompanied by an accordion player, as well as German snacks. This year, they are establishing a second program for the Hispanic Community, and plan to do the same kind of event in October 2010 for this group, which will also feature German folk dancing.
Jackson, MS
The chapter is also planning a "speed dating" event with NAIPC members moving from table to table discussing their services, and will include door prizes and food. The event, themed "50s, 60s, 70s and Beyond, will also include a "Sing-A-Long" with a guitar player and singers.
Rhode Island
This year, on Saturday, October 16th, the Rhode Island chapter is planning a consumer event at the Johnston, RI Senior Center. All members will group together by service category and make a presentation and answer questions. Presentations will cover real estate, home remodeling, financial planning, wills, reverse mortgages, and senior non-profit organizations.