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Prioritizing Age-Friendly Domains for Transforming a Mid-Sized American City

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  • Anthony A. Sterns

    (iRxReminder LLC, 1768 E. 25th St., Cleveland, OH 44114, USA
    Business Administration, School of Professional Studies, City University of New York, New York, NY 10001, USA
    Management Information Systems, College of Business Administration, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA)

  • Harvey L. Sterns

    (Institute for Life-Span Development and Gerontology, Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
    Department of Family and Community Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), 4209 St. Rt. 44, P.O. Box 95, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA)

  • Ann Walter

    (Consortium of Eastern Ohio Master of Public Health Program, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
    Medical Mutual of Ohio, 2060 E 9th Street, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA)

Abstract

In May 2019, the city of Akron in the state of Ohio was admitted into AARP’s network of age friendly cities and communities. Akron has a long history of aging services initiative that date back to the 1970s. To provide direction for future aging initiatives, an assessment of Akron’s current state was conducted in early 2020. A survey designed to capture information on the eight Age-friendly domains was designed and mailed to 3000 randomized individuals in Akron’s ten political wards. A total of 656 individuals responded and returned the survey. Akron is rated good to excellent by older Akronites; people want to stay in their neighborhood and in their home. Most Akronites like and use their neighborhood parks, find their streets well-lit, and feel safe walking in their neighborhood. Most respondents rated transportation in Akron as good to very good, but they found sidewalks good to poor. There is a high level of access to social and educational activities and a substantial opportunity to include more people. About two-thirds of respondents participate in faith-based activities, volunteer, and participate in city-sponsored events. Loneliness is not or rarely a problem for three quarters of respondents. Around 56.5% of respondents indicated they disagree they are disconnected from the community. There is high level of access to the Internet and public WiFi in Akron and a substantial opportunity to include more people. Overall, Akron has benefitted from its historical efforts and has the opportunity to impact on more older adults as the older population grows.

Suggested Citation

  • Anthony A. Sterns & Harvey L. Sterns & Ann Walter, 2020. "Prioritizing Age-Friendly Domains for Transforming a Mid-Sized American City," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-30, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:23:p:9103-:d:457596
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hannah R. Marston & Joost van Hoof, 2019. "“Who Doesn’t Think about Technology When Designing Urban Environments for Older People?” A Case Study Approach to a Proposed Extension of the WHO’s Age-Friendly Cities Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-35, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Joost van Hoof & Hannah R. Marston, 2021. "Age-Friendly Cities and Communities: State of the Art and Future Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Jo-Ying Huang & Hui-Chuan Hsu & Yu-Ling Hsiao & Feng-Yin Chen & Shu-Ying Lo & Tzu-Yun Chou & Megan F. Liu, 2022. "Developing Indicators of Age-Friendliness in Taiwanese Communities through a Modified Delphi Method," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-17, November.

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