Aging is a dynamic phase of life, filled with opportunities for growth, connection, and fulfillment.
Most older adults want to live in their homes, neighborhoods or communities for the long term, which we refer to in this report as “aging in place.” Strong policies, social services, and age-friendly design can allow older adults to age in place instead of a nursing home. Older adults who safely age in place often experience greater independence, have stronger social connections, and save money compared to institutional settings.
However, in New York City and across the US, the reality is that aging well and healthily at home has become a privilege of the wealthy.
How can city leaders and designers make aging in place an accessible and affordable option for all New Yorkers, prioritizing the communities that are most in need?
Report Highlights
NYC HPD should explore innovative housing options, like multigenerational housing, home shares, and university-based retirement communities, to address the wide range of housing needs of older adults.
Host a Design Competition to Develop Accessibility Solutions for Entryways and Stairwells. About two-thirds of all older adults in New York City live in buildings with stairs, which increases their risk of falling and contributes to avoidance behavior that keeps older adults from remaining active.
Expand Safe Streets for Seniors. Streets that are safe and easy to navigate support older adults’ cognitive health, reduce stress, foster mental wellness, and improve independence.
Develop Plans for Climate-Related Emergencies. Older adults are disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, particularly during emergencies. Additionally, zoning policies should prioritize the allocation of space for older adult housing in non-flood-hazard areas.
About the Report
In Fall 2024, 28 Lifelong Fellows — architects, planners, designers, aging advocates and artists — partnered with the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to investigate how older adult housing developments can successfully support older adults to live in their homes and communities with dignity and autonomy, which we refer to as “age in place.” The Fellows developed the Lifelong Report, with insights and recommendations that help city officials and designers to advocate for making aging in place an accessible and affordable option for all New Yorkers, prioritizing the communities that are most in need.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to members of the 2024-25 Lifelong Fellowship, who authored this report :
Kristina Arakelyan, Collyn Chan, Yvette Chen, Nicole Cheng, Kavyashri Cherala, Allison Cook, Kristen Corey, Allison Currier, César Delgado Rodríguez, Stanley Delva, Wei Du, Joan Encarnacion, Danielle Hendricks, Katie Hine, Meg Kalinowski, Andrew Lange, Adrien Logeay, Charles Li Markham, Nicole Marrocco, Rachel Neches, Rebecca Noble, Rashmi Pendse, Jennifer Romeo, Fatemeh Shirpour, Lauren Smalls-Mantey, Bethania Viana, Ambar Wortham, and Haikun Xu
Editor
Catherine Betances
Editorial Support
Katherine Sacco, Guillermo Gómez
Report Design and Illustration
Partner & Partners
Supporters
Forefront is supported by the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation. This program is also supported by our Board of Directors, Director’s Circle, and company and individual members. Our programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
To learn more about supporting Lifelong, please contact Miranda Bellizia, miranda@urbandesignforum.org.