A Follow Up to the AARP Age-Friendly Community Survey Through a Focus Group Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Urban Planning
• Public Health

Background:

• The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) promotes community planning for aging populations.
• Community surveys assess the suitability of environments for "aging in place."
• This study complements AARP findings by exploring older adults' perspectives in a New England city.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand the viewpoints of older adults regarding aging in place in a small New England city.
• To extend the findings of the AARP Age-Friendly Community Survey.
• To gather qualitative data on the lived experiences of seniors in their community.

Main Methods:

• Six focus groups were conducted virtually via Zoom in 2020.
• Participants included 32 adults aged 65 and older from a single New England city.
• Discussions centered on the topic of aging in place.

Main Results:

• Key challenges identified include difficulty accessing complete and reliable information on vital services.
• Barriers to walkability were a significant concern for participants.
• Transportation limitations, particularly for those unable to drive, were highlighted as a major obstacle.

Conclusions:

• This focus group study provided a nuanced understanding of aging in place challenges from the perspective of older adults.
• The findings offer valuable insights for enhancing community age-friendliness.
• The study's results informed the city's action plan for becoming more age-friendly.