A new report released Thursday outlines how Colorado Springs can become a more age-friendly city.
The 116-page report and action plan comes from the Colorado Springs nonprofit Innovations in Aging, which recently partnered with Mayor John Suthers to join the global "Age-Friendly City" initiative.
Innovations in Aging director Claire Anderson says the report includes many actionable goals related to keeping the elderly independent and at home.
"We know that people like to stay in their homes and in their neighborhoods in the place where they have connections friends and where they feel comfortable," Anderson says.
The report emphasizes a need for affordable housing and transportation options for seniors. Anderson says it's based on survey results from more than 200 seniors and input from elder care community leaders.
The goals are not only limited to home life. As part of the initiative, the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado has created an Age Friendly Business certification, which recognizes business efforts to accommodate older customers.
BBB of Southern Colorado CEO Jonathan Liebert said the Bureau will be assessing businesses in person.
"We're going to actually come out and check the physical environment," he said. "So we want to make sure that the facility is clean, that it's easily accessible."
Liebert says the certification also requires employee training and clear signage among other things.
