How to Create Community Change to Support the Aging Population
Kathryn Lawler April 7, 2010
Cliff Notes
I. Aging requires that you work in Partnership
a. Systems are too silo-ed and partnership pulls them together
b. Much of this work falls in between the cracks because “it’s nobody’s job”. Partnership can take ownership of the work
c. There’s not enough money, there’s not going to be enough money—collaboration is essential to streamlining and efficiently using resources
d. Superman is dead—21st century leadership is not based in a heroic model but a model of collective action and inter-agency collaboration. It’s the only way things get done these days.
II. What is a Partnership?
a. Can be formal or informal; can be a legal entity or a loose affiliation.
b. Critical point is that partnerships have to evolve overtime. They need room to breathe and chance.
III. What makes a Partnership successful?
a. Shared Leadership
b. Developing a strategy for maintaining momentum; keeping the work fun
c. Articulating the role of the partnership within the community context (can you explain your job to your mother?)
d. Stating and honoring self interests of partners; making sure everyone gets what they need to keep participating in and giving to the partnership
IV. How does an effective Partnership decide what it needs to do?
a. Narrow and focus the goals
b. Be strategic when you pick your goals—make sure your choice positions you well for the next thing the partnership wants to accomplish
c. Tell the local story—invest in a survey or data collection to be able to bring the national aging trend down to the local level; data should demonstrate urgency
d. Go beyond your comfort zone- bring new people to the table; be willing to be uncomfortable it’s the only way you will know you are trying new things rather than doing more of the same
V. Other Key Partnership Principles:
a. Partnerships should create an environment that makes it easier to embrace risk
b. Partnership work should capture the imagination of the community- be sexy and exciting particularly as you get started
c. Do not re-invent the wheel—beg borrow and steal from anyone else who is being innovative
Models and Resources: (not an exhaustive list by any means)
NORC- Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities
Atlanta Regional Commission’s Lifelong Communities
www.atlantaregional.com/lifelong
EPA’s Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Award Winners
http://www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/about.htm
http://www.beaconhillvillage.org/
Green House
http://www.ncbcapitalimpact.org/default.aspx?id=148
Pioneer Network
http://www.pioneernetwork.net/
Affordable Housing Plus Services
http://www.aahsa.org/section_ifas.aspx?id=3310
Mather Café
http://www.matherlifeways.com/iyc_mathersmorethanacafe.asp
Senior Co-Housing
http://seniorcohousing.com/
Transitions in Care
http://www.caretransitions.org/
Evidence Based Community Practices including:
Chronic Disease Self-Management
Healthy IDEAS (community mental health program)
Matter of Balance (Falls Prevention)
http://www.healthyagingprograms.org/content.asp?sectionid=32
Look toward the bottom for the program summaries
Bon Secours
Innovations in volunteer transportation programs: Beverly Foundation
http://www.beverlyfoundation.org/