8 Domains of Livability Case Study Auburn Hills Community Center Mic
8 Domains of Livability Case Study, Auburn Hills Community Center, Mic... AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
The center is home to the city's Meals on Wheels program, in which volunteers deliver daily meals to people ages 60 and over who are unable to adequately prepare meals at home. The center also offers an onsite meal program where older people can come for lunch three times a week.
There's a robust health and fitness program that includes volleyball, golf, tai chi, balance, yoga, walking activities, a diabetes-management program, a gym and a game room with a billiard table.
Educational and social opportunities include professional storytelling, guest lectures, parties, arts and crafts classes, brain aerobics, language lessons, photography and computer training.
Volunteers provide free estate planning and legal advice and can help older residents prepare their income tax returns. Community center participants don't even have to leave home for some services, including lawn mowing, yard maintenance and snow plowing. There's even a home-repair program. The center also offers transportation for dialysis, chemotherapy, shopping and other business or medical appointments. In addition, the center has a travel program that arranges trips to theaters, museums and casinos, as well as to such faraway places as Panama and China.
Published August 2015
Ask about the AARP Livability Index by completing this .
AARP Members: For questions about your benefits, AARP The Magazine or the AARP Bulletin, visit the page or call 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277). Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
Building a ' Community for a Lifetime'
A community center becomes the hub of a city' s age-friendly makeover
Auburn Hills Community Center Auburn Hills Michigan United States
has been working hard to become an ideal place for people of any age or ability to live, work and play. In 2013 the city was designated by the That same year Auburn Hills became the first municipality in Michigan to join the .The Details
At the heart of the city’s initiative "to transition into a city where all generations are welcome" is the . Opened in 2007, the center offers a variety of services, activities and programs to keep older residents healthy, socially-engaged and informed. For example:The Eight Domains
The is an example of work being done in: As well as in:The center is home to the city's Meals on Wheels program, in which volunteers deliver daily meals to people ages 60 and over who are unable to adequately prepare meals at home. The center also offers an onsite meal program where older people can come for lunch three times a week.
There's a robust health and fitness program that includes volleyball, golf, tai chi, balance, yoga, walking activities, a diabetes-management program, a gym and a game room with a billiard table.
Educational and social opportunities include professional storytelling, guest lectures, parties, arts and crafts classes, brain aerobics, language lessons, photography and computer training.
Volunteers provide free estate planning and legal advice and can help older residents prepare their income tax returns. Community center participants don't even have to leave home for some services, including lawn mowing, yard maintenance and snow plowing. There's even a home-repair program. The center also offers transportation for dialysis, chemotherapy, shopping and other business or medical appointments. In addition, the center has a travel program that arranges trips to theaters, museums and casinos, as well as to such faraway places as Panama and China.
The Cost
Residents of Auburn Hills pay for the community center through their local taxes. Most of its health programs and other services are free to residents. Yard maintenance, day trips and fitness classes charge a fee to cover the costs of instructors, equipment or gas.The Results
The Auburn Hills Community Center reports that about 14,000 people age 50 and older participate in its programs each year. More than 400 people volunteer at the center on a regular basis. Half of those volunteers are older residents, while many of the remaining helpers are high school and college students. "Participants encourage other older people, especially those with visual or physical disabilities, to participate," says Karen Adcock, the city's senior services director. "The community center has become the go-to place for older people." The center is also a model of collaboration, involving key city departments, the state of Michigan, local businesses, schools and various health, aging and mobility agencies and organizations.Related Resources
Published August 2015
Stay Informed — For Free
The weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities e-Newsletter provides local leaders with information and inspiration for making their town, city or neighborhood more livable for older adults and people of all ages.Featured Video
Learn how to check the "livability score" of any address in the U.S.AARP org Livable
Enter a topic, name, place, etc. See past issues:Our Free Publications
See the complete list atFollow Us
Facebook: Twitter:Contact Us
Email AARP Livable Communities at .Ask about the AARP Livability Index by completing this .
AARP Members: For questions about your benefits, AARP The Magazine or the AARP Bulletin, visit the page or call 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277). Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures