Aging Texas Well, opportunities for Texans across the lifespan
Introduction
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), through
Aging Texas Well (ATW), has a wide array of information, tools and resources
to help people and their communities begin the process of aging well. DADS
is committed to providing the right information and encouraging the action
that will make aging well a reality for all Texans and their communities. The
purpose of the ATW initiative is to identify and discuss aging policy issues,
guide state government readiness, and promote increased community
preparedness for an aging Texas.
ATW is focused on ensuring that Texas' aging population has a sense of wellbeing brought about by dealing effectively with life's changes and challenges. Pursuing positive, meaningful relationships and remaining independent and active are key to meeting these challenges. As outlined in Executive Order RP 42 (Appendix 1), part of the ATW mandate is to work with public and private community partners to build capacity to serve a growing aging population through community assessment processes. This community assessment toolkit addresses the community capacity building portion of the Executive Order.
As the baby boomers reach retirement, local governments will face even greater challenges in creating physical and social environments that support their needs. ATW encourages communities to identify features that define an aging-friendly community, to assess their communities' aging friendliness, and to undertake planning and action steps to build an aging- friendly community. If successful, Texas communities, both rural and urban, will have a better understanding of what it means to become "aging-friendly" and the most effective ways to remain that way.
This guide was developed by DADS and the Aging Texas Well Advisory Committee (ATWAC) as a starting point to assist communities that want to determine their current capacity. It will assist local communities to identify the physical, social and institutional elements that aging populations need to lead full and productive lives in their communities. It is intended to be a resource for a community-building process that begins with understanding the extent to which a community is already meeting the needs of its residents, identifying specific conditions and issues that need to be addressed, and planning to enable aging-friendly communities to flourish.
This guide consists of four chapters:
- Chapter 1 – Understanding the Aging Texas Well Process
- Chapter 2 – ATW Community Indicators
- Chapter 3 – ATW Community Assessment
- Chapter 4 – Seeking Recognition for Your Community
The process for each community will be unique as they attempt to identify and understand the needs of people across the varied phases of their lives and for developing community responses to those needs. This guide is intended to provide a framework for collaboration, analysis and consensus about shaping a community that both values residents and meets the needs of all members of the community. In addition to the social dimensions of community building, the result is likely to involve local governments in making physical and programmatic changes that address the needs of all its citizens.
Although each community is unique in the way it makes and implements decisions, participation in the Aging Texas Well Community Assessment and the use of this guide are intended to occur within and support the normal community planning and budgeting processes. The physical and programmatic changes a community chooses to make to meet the needs of its population often emerge from that community's comprehensive planning process. In other circumstances, a community might deal with a complex, specific issue on an ad hoc basis, and then relate that issue to other aspects of community operations or improvements.
The process described in this guide can be used in either approach. The key point, however, is the community must make a commitment of taking the first steps to build an aging-friendly community. This can be accomplished by assessing livability in a comprehensive way, drawing up realistic plans to make needed changes, and ultimately allocating resources to ensure those changes are made.
Once the assessment process is complete, action committee members can decide if they want to take the next step and apply for recognition or certification through other organizations. Being recognized by other agencies highlights the successes taking place at the local level, the partners making strides to better the community, and offers opportunities for residents to continue supporting the important activities that are taking place. Being recognized also offers the community, its local government and Chamber of Commerce the opportunity to set itself apart from neighbors as a place that embraces people of all ages and abilities. For more information on these groups certifying and/or recognizing communities, see Chapter 4.
If you have questions about getting the process started in your community, contact the DADS Aging Texas Well Coordinator at 512-438-5471 or email the coordinator at AgingTexasWellCoordinator@DADS.state.tx.us for guidance or assistance with planning and organizing your community's ATW Action Committee.
Updated: April 11, 2012