February 2025
The city of Birmingham, like the rest of the country, is watching its population age. This is both a challenge and an opportunity.
From the start of their tenure, the current city commission adopted strategic goals that included supporting an engaged and connected community by offering city services and amenities that enrich the lives of residents of all ages as one of their three priorities. This strategic goal included a recommendation to “create a task force to facilitate an aging in place plan, develop a plan for a permanent senior/community center to house Next senior services and to offer space for multigenerational programs”.
In April 2023, the city commission took action and created a new ad hoc committee called Aging in Place. The charge? To focus on the demographics of our city, examine the current senior services being provided, identify unmet needs and finally, develop an action plan to help our resident’s age in place in a manner that is safe, healthy and comfortable.
Residents of the city of Birmingham share the same desire as the majority of most Americans. They want to remain in their homes for as long as possible. The question then becomes, how do we as a society assist our older adults to age in their homes safely where they can be physically active, socially connected and mentally engaged?
This was the fundamental question put to the Aging in Place Committee.
The timeframe for the completion of the committee’s work was 18 months, which concludes now, February 2025, and will be presented at a commission meeting in the next several weeks.
The comprehensive work of the committee revealed some surprises, but mostly affirmed what many of us already know; the needs of seniors are unique.
As people age, priorities change. Social networks change. Bodies change and minds change. These universal changes create a strong sense of shared identity and vast potential for our community.
The Aging in Place Citywide Plan, inspired by AARP’s eight domains of a senior friendly community, include, among others, social participation, civic engagement and communication.
Social inclusion and community engagement of older adults is critically important for many reasons. Socialization improves mental health, creates a sense of community and belonging, establishes a support system that allows for independence and assistance, and improves cognitive function and physical health. In short, socialization has the power to transform lives.
The next several years will be pivotal for older adults living in Birmingham. The city has taken an important step to provide dedicated space for seniors in the new 400 E. Lincoln building currently being designed, while Birmingham’s 2040 Master Plan contains the recurring theme of “Connecting the City.” This focus resulted in several recommendations that directly relate to many of the goals of the Aging in Place Citywide Plan. By aligning these two plans, we can amplify their impact and have greater success.
Understanding the personal and collective benefits of creating a community where seniors can thrive, makes lives and society richer for everyone.
Please look for the Aging in Place Citywide Action Plan to be presented, and published on the City’s website at www.bham.gov.
Cris Braun is Executive Director of Birmingham Next