This course will explore the demographics and issues of an aging society. The over-65 age group has seen a dramatic level of growth which will only increase in the coming years. The majority of older adults desire to remain in the same location or age in place, however face many barriers to living and engaging in their communities. This course will explore universal design applications both in the private sector (home) and in the public sector (community). Innovative technologies which facilitate independence across disability types and age groups (e.g. smart homes) will also be introduced. Students will learn about functional changes related to aging, current design flaws in homes and communities as well as relevant public health issues. Some of the areas addressed may include transportation, housing, lifelong learning, social/cultural issues, and civic and volunteer engagement. Students will also gain information related to aging in place / livable community initiatives, pertinent legislation and policy, as well as the most current research in these areas.

• Examine the background and history of the aging in place and livable communities initiatives
• Understand the impact of policy and regulatory legislation on aging in place and livable communities
• Understand functional changes related to aging as it pertains to aging in place and livable communities
• Identify the barriers to aging in place, both in housing and in communities
• Identify universal design applications and emerging technologies to facilitate aging in place, both in the home and in the community
• Highlight current research findings, issues, and trends with the potential to impact aging in place and livable communities initiatives and apply current research to specific area of practice
• Become familiar with national, state, and local resources related to aging in place and livable communities

• Introduction to aging in place and livable communities: history, policy, and theory
• Functional changes related to aging
• Housing: Types of housing, universal design, barriers and facilitators to aging in place
• Research: Issues and trends
• Lab: Case studies
• Community: Types of communities and important elements of livable communities
• Application / Group Exercise
• Emerging technologies to facilitate aging in place
• Local, state and national resources related to aging in place and livable communities

Students will each receive a handbook of slides, hard-copy handouts, resources for accommodations, accessible / universal design and assistive technology.

• Claire Yang
• Traci Swartz

This course is an elective for the Workplace Accommodations and Home Modifications Certificate.