Date: Thursday, December 01, 2011
Time: 8:30 am
Location: The National Archives, 5780 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, GA
Jonesboro - Clayton County Senior Services
Department has partnered with the Atlanta Regional Commission
(ARC), the city of Morrow and the Georgia Chapter of AARP to hold a
workshop to study the county and specifically the city of Morrow's
live and walk atmosphere for older residents. The study will take
place on Thursday, December 1, 2011, starting with an 8:30am
registration at The National Archives in Morrow, located at 5780
Jonesboro Road in Morrow, GA. Various local community stakeholders
have been invited to participate in the study which will have a
vital role in the Clayton County Lifelong Communities
Initiative.
This interactive one day study is a tool developed by AARP and
Walkable and Livable Communities Institute to serve as an active
living workshop that engages communities in making their streets
and neighborhoods more walkable and livable. Dan Burden, the
Executive Director of the Walkable and Livable Communities
Institute will lead the active-living workshop that helps
participants to engage in hands-on planning and design.
Participants will walk the area of focus with Mr. Burden to
identify concepts to advance walking and active living in Morrow
and Clayton County. Findings will be posted later to the county's
Lifelong Communities website.
"In Clayton County, we find that 55% of the residents think that
Clayton County is an excellent to very good place to retire, 82%
own their home and 86% drive their own car", said Senior Services
director Mary Byrd. "We also find that only 37% of the residents
received a flu shot in the last 12 months, 50% do not get adequate
exercise and 35% of older adults are obese. Stats also show that
57% had misinformation about long-term care and 84% do not have
long-term care insurance. By creating lifelong communities
throughout the county, as our residents continue to age, we will be
providing them with a foundation in which to build healthier,
productive lifestyles."
The new Lifelong Communities Initiative is designed to better
serve older adults by allowing them to age in place. Lifelong
communities will be designed to provide quality healthcare, an
efficient transportation system, community based services,
activities and businesses that are located in close proximity to
where older adults live. With collaboration among businesses, local
leaders, organizations and government agencies, the success of the
Community will be achieved.
For additional information on Lifelong communities visit atlantaregional.com/aging-resources.
Download Press Release