A Wake Up Call For Aging Communities

A new report is aimed at helping America's cities and counties prepare to meet the needs of an aging baby boomer population.

1 minute read

May 16, 2007, 9:00 AM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


How prepared are America's communities to handle the needs of the burgeoning aging population? With the rapid rise in the number of aging Baby Boomers, by 2030 one in every five Americans will be over the age of 65. And in many communities across America, that is already the case.

Now a new tool has been developed to allows cities to prepare themselves for this 'aging tsunami'.

The comprehensive Blueprint for Action provides communities with detailed procedures and practical solutions in the areas of housing, planning and zoning, transportation, health and supportive services, public safety and civic engagement. It suggests that every area of local government has a role to play in creating livable communities for people of all ages, and draws on the most innovative and effective practices of communities throughout the country to illustrate what can be done. In addition, the Blueprint recommends that local leaders should advance "aging in place" priorities by adding a perspective on aging to all plans, programs, and policies that exist or are under development.

Thanks to Irene Garnett

Monday, May 14, 2007 in USA Today

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight