A Follow Up to the AARP Age-Friendly Community Survey Through a Focus Group Study

Abstract

Introduction: In an effort to help communities plan for their burgeoning aging population, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has facilitated community surveys to enable older adults to rate the current state of their own community for “aging in place.” This Focus Group Study extended the findings of the AARP Age-Friendly Community Survey in a small-sized New England City, adding to our knowledge of an older adult population. Aim: In order to elicit the points of view of older adults in one small New England city, six focus groups were conducted via Zoom during the height of the pandemic, from the spring and fall of 2020 on the topic of aging in place. Method: The six focus groups had a total of 32 participants, all of whom were 65 years and older and living in the same New England city. Results: The challenges to aging in place small New England city that the focus group participants described included: knowing where to get complete and reliable information about vital services, the barriers to walkability, and the challenge of transportation when one can no longer safely drive. Conclusion: The Focus Group Study extended the findings of the AARP Age-Friendly Community Survey in a small-sized New England City through the voices of the older adults which led to a more nuanced understanding of what it takes to age in place. The results of the study were utilized by the city in order to write an action plan as a guide to becoming more age-friendly.