Oct. 23: Planning for the aging of Chicagoland’s communities MPC roundtable

From the Metropolitan Planning Council:

Planning for the Aging of Chicagoland’s Communities October 23, 2014, Noon to 1:30 p.m. MPC, 140 S. Dearborn St., Suite 1400, Chicago, Ill. MPC Donors $15 All Others $30 Register here

How do we plan for an aging population?

Every day between now and the year 2030, 10,000 American Baby Boomers will turn 65. By then, one in five people will be at least 65 years old. Two thirds of this elderly population will live alone by the age of 85, and most will be female, disabled and, according to a report by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, unprepared for the challenges of aging. How can communities adapt to ensure that this cohort can age gracefully? The solution is a comprehensive approach that encompasses transportation, housing, healthcare and public education.

At a local level, MPC has worked with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning across the Chicago region, through Homes for A Changing Region, to help communities plan their futures based on this demographic shift. Sponsored by AARP, this roundtable will explore local and national best practices for embracing this aging cohort through comprehensive and forward-thinking planning approaches. Prof. Brad Winick from the University of Illinois at Chicago will moderate the panel discussion.

Panelists Include:

Zachary Benedict, Partner, MKM architecture + design Mayor Kristina Kovarik, Gurnee, Ill. Jennifer Molinsky, Research Associate, Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies