Program Presented by PLAN NH
Contact: PLAN NH Robin LeBlanc, r_leblanc@plannh.org
Whether we live in a bustling town or quiet rural village, many of us want to stay right where we are as we age. What do our communities need to be thinking about to make this easier – or possible – for us to do so?
Our built environment – from building-specific to the overall design of the community – plays a key part in the health and vitality of our lives as we get older. In some towns, almost a third of the population will soon be over 60 – that cannot be ignored, or addressed in the “traditional” way. We need to make adjustments – in how we think about getting older, and how our communities plan for it.
The intention of this conference is to raise awareness of this key issue:
- Because a large percentage of our Granite State population is over age 60 (and growing), we need to adjust our thinking in many arenas. This conference will draw attention to the roles of planning, design and development of our towns, buildings, roads and more.
- Getting older does not necessarily mean slowing down or developing myriad medical conditions – our changing needs as we age are just part of the continuum of changing needs that started at birth.
- How can community and building design elements contribute to enabling us as we get older to continue to lead healthy and dynamic lives – in our own homes or in our own towns or neighborhoods?
- This is not about them, or those people. This is about all of us.
Listen. Learn. Discuss. Be inspired.
Thursday and Friday, March 30 and 31 2017
Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 South Main St. Concord NH 03301
AGENDA (to date – some content to be finalized)
Thursday, March 30
2:15 Registration and networking
3:00 Welcome
3:10 Short intro clip: The coming of age of an aging America
3:15 NH demographics and some implications (Center for Policy Studies)
4:00 The role of Smart Growth principles in supporting an aging population (Governor Parris Glendening,Smart Growth America)
5:00 Reception (cash bar)
Friday, March 31
7:45 Registration, breakfast and networking
8:30 Welcome
8:40 The coming of age in an aging America
8:45 Livable Communities – what are they and why should we know about them? (Todd Fahey, AARP NH)
9:30 Creating Age-Friendly Communities in Northern New England (Jessica Maurer, Maine Assocation of Area Agencies on Aging; Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging and Maine Council on Aging)
10:00 BREAK
10:15 Age-friendly communities in New Hampshire- project update (Sylvia von Aulock, Southern NH Planning Commission}
10:45 Considering public health in planning (Terry Johnson, HEAL NH)
11:30 – 1:00 LUNCH IN TOWN; SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES
1:00 Where we live and age: Cities and Towns; Rural and Remote Communities (Jim Warner, FAIA, of JSA Inc.)
2:00 Universal Design – Sandra Hodge, JSA Inc.
2:30 The “MIssing MIddle” – Ivy Vann
3:00 Role of transportation choices when we do not drive (Rebecca Harris, Transport NH)
3:45 Wrap-up
4:00 Depart