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VITAL COMMUNITIES TOOLKIT

What do vital communities that support vital aging look like? What community assets are needed to support vital involvement, lifelong? What do older adults need and want to find in their communities?

The Vital Aging Network (VAN) is creating a shared vision of communities that are good places for people to grow up and grow old. The team effort developed around the goal of preparing for a May 2004 Minnesota Summit on "Vital Aging in Vital Communities." The team effort generated planning tools for civic leaders and older adults to use or adapt for their communities.* Here are the steps that we followed, with information about the materials that were generated then and have been revised since. Click on the headings to read and/or print out the materials.

There is more information and resources on Advocating for Vital Aging. Use the links on the left side of this page for information on ageism, the Advocacy Leadership in Vital Aging Certificate Program, and other planning tools.

Vital Aging in Vital Communities: List of References
First, we collected information about efforts around the nation to cultivate "communities for all ages," "elder-friendly communities," "healthy aging communities," etc. As you will see from the List of References, some of the groundbreaking work has been done right here in Minnesota. Check out what looks interesting by clicking on the URL links.

Vital Aging Supported by Vital Communities: Significant Factors
Next, we compiled and organized all of the factors mentioned in the reference material, including research about "What matters?" for healthy aging, and about "What's wanted?" by mid-life boomers, young-old in-betweeners, and the seniors who belong to the "greatest generation". The resulting list of "Individual and Community Assets for Vital Aging" is both a good tool for community discussion and a framework for creating community survey questions.

Community Assets for Vital Aging: Questionnaire
Next, we used the factors and other "elder-friendly community" checklists to compile a questionnaire for use by older adults and community planners. Residents can look at how their community measures up on the key assets that support vital aging. The assets have been grouped in three categories, for: 1) meeting basic needs for self-sufficiency; 2) encouraging community involvement; and 3) promoting a high quality of life. These categories match with VAN's three-part mission.

Vital Aging in Vital Communities: Video Guide
Next, we produced a video to show elements of vital communities through the eyes of older adults who have both benefited from and contributed to the vitality of their communities. In five segments, filmed in six Minnesota communities, we have shown community assets deemed important by older adult residents, and some sources of power to generate assets that might be tapped in the viewer's community. The Video Guide tells how to order a copy of the Vital Aging in Vital Communities video, and suggest questions to stimulate audience discussion.

Creating a Vital Force Project: Diagram
Next, we developed an approach for tapping the vital force of older adults ready to share their experience through a team project, working on community issues. Jim Scheibel, former Mayor of St. Paul and Director of national VISTA and Senior Corps programming, has laid out the framework for older adults to create Vital Force projects, supported by organizations in their communities. VAN is looking forward to hearing from individuals and/or organizations who are interested in forming a Vital Force.

Let VAN know about your interest.

Explaining ABCD: Asset-Based Community Development Map
Jody Kretzmann, Co-Director of the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute at Northwestern University, a presenter at the May 2004 Summit, has developed two maps that illustrate the difference between a problem-based approach that focuses on identifying needs, and an asset-based approach that focuses on identifying strengths. "Like a glass of water filed to the middle which can be viewed as half-empty or half-full, a community can be seen as a half-empty place comprised of clients with needs and deficiencies, or as a place half full of citizens with capacities and gifts to give."

Kretzmann's shift from problems to assets fits with the shift in our attitudes about aging. The days of identifying aging with dependency are over. Three fourths of older adults remain active and independent into their 80s. There are multiple generations of older adults who are volunteering, starting their own business, helping their children, teaching and taking classes, caring for friends and neighbors, and getting the community's work done. Of those who are older and/or have disabilities, many also find ways to be productive.

We need to make connections with people and communities to inform, guide, and promote vital communities that support vital aging. Please become familiar with the contents of this toolkit. Watch the video to see real examples of what works to support vital aging. Try out the questionnaire. Consider developing a Vital Force to address the community needs that show up in responses to the questionnaire. Keep the energy flowing!

* "Communities" could be neighborhoods or townships or regions or whatever designation the group using the questionnaire is assessing.

Page Author: Jan Hively