Neighborhood Living – Aging in Place in Mar Vista

In 2001 I moved from the 1942 bungalow that I had recently renovated overlooking Lake Hollywood and moved to the flats of Mar Vista. In very short time, I fell in love with the Mar Vista community and found out what neighborhood living is all about. Today, I know that I want to be able to grow old here.

Aging in place is the new hot topic and a conversation that we all need to engage in. Whether we are young and concerned about our aging parents or looking ahead to what our own needs will be, the conversation is equally important. The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies with support from AARP just released this study with some sobering statistics.

·         By 2030 the number of adults aged 65 to 74 will nearly double from 21.7 million in 2010 to 38.6 million

·         The typical homeowner over 65 can only afford in-home assistance for about 9 years – or 6.5 years in an assisted living residence. For renters it is much worse.

·         In 2010, there were more than 7 potential caregivers for every person in the high-risk years of 80-plus. By 2030, the projected ratio will fall to 4 people for every person 80-plus. By 2050, it is expected to further fall to less than 3 to 1.

There are enough concerns that the Milken Institute’s BestCities for Successful Aging Advisory Committee is asking mayors across the nation to sign a pledge that promises to improve life for older adults and residents of all ages. We have a lot to consider – will our homes and our neighborhoods support our desire to age in place? Do we have the community support that we need? Even if our finances allow in-home care, will there be caregivers available to hire? If unable to stay in our own home, are there alternative residential options in our community?

The Mar Vista Community Council has launched the Aging inPlace Ad Hoc Committee and I am thrilled to be a part of it. Let’s start a conversation about what our needs and resources are. Let’s work with the Mar Vista Business Association, our city and county departments and elected officials, and local organizations on our needs for aging in place. And let’s make sure as issues come before MVCC and the City Council that we are paying specific attention to how they support our ability to age in place.

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