University Study for Senior Ideas
 

Our state university is conducting a study of senior citizens in all our counties. They are asking for groups of senior citizens from all walks of life to list ideas for helping them stay in small towns instead of having to move to cities. For example; health facilities, transportation, senior activities, etc. I would like to ask those of you over age 55 (okay, admit it ) what you would list. Today at our monthly coffee meeting we came up with a few ideas: community center, taxi or bus service, more stores, etc. Our fun friend wanted KFC and an "escort service"! Doubt the university will consider her second request, but maybe the first. Anyway, what would make you happy? Thank so much.

What state do you live in?

how about a clearing house for volunteer/charity opportunities?

Do you mean reasons for staying in a rural area or reasons for moving (living) in a metro area.

Rural reasons:
Less traffic
Less noise
Bigger yards
Friendly neighbors
Less voilence??
Better schools

Metro area:
Medical facilities
Theaters (Movie/Live)
More eating places
More shopping places
Larger grocery stores
Better trained police force

Ideas to help persons stay in their rural areas and not have to move to the cities.

One thing that has been wonderful here is specialists from Springfield come to town twice a month. Doctors of all kinds come in on certain days of the month so you are not looking for transportation 50 miles to the city.

1. Local (instead of 30+ miles away) Agency on Aging so that residents and their family can find resources related to issues for seniors.
2. Annual assistance centers for social security/health-insurance/tax issues at the end of the year.
3. Limited income housing for age-restricted (55+) seniors....on one level with a bit of gardening space.
4. Healthcare facilities which accept medicaid/medicare without horrendous waits for service.

These are ALL issues my mother and I are dealing with at present in our small town. We *don't* want to move!

Jan in VA

Right off I can think of older people that can walk altho need assistance. Someone for them to hold onto when going to dr appts, grocery store, etc. AND to not feel like they're putting anyone out by doing this. Hope this makes sense.

I second Jan's comments, especially #3 for limited income housing.

How rural do you mean? We are 25 miles from the nearest town of any size. In our early 70's.

The escort service could instead be a volunteer service to take people to appointments.

My children are wanting my husband and I to move from our rural area since it takes an ambulance 20 minutes on its fastest time to get here and his health is very bad. So my list would include fast response time from ambulance service.

Also reasonably priced and vetted cleaning services. Food take out opportunities (one of the things I miss most since we moved to a rural area.) Grocery stores with delivery service.