LOS ANGELES – The Milken Institute today began contacting mayors across America, asking that they commit to improve the lives of older people in their cities by signing the Best Cities for Successful Aging Mayor’s Pledge. The pledge, part of the Institute’s Best Cities for Successful Aging initiative, comes from the initiative’s advisory committee, a diverse group of thought leaders and experts in the field. See the advisors and pledge here: http://assets1c.milkeninstitute.org/assets/Publication/Viewpoint/PDF/Best-Cities-for-Successful-Aging-Mayors-Pledge-and-Advisors2.pdf
“With the overwhelming majority of Americans preferring to age in place, making cities across America better places for aging is a priority,” says Paul H. Irving, President of the Milken Institute. “Our cities are engines of innovation and change, and mayors can lead this effort, which is why we are asking them to make this commitment.”
By signing the pledge, mayors agree to take steps to make their city work better for older adults, such as offering housing options that suit this population’s varied needs. Mayors who sign the pledge also commit to providing opportunities for older adults to work for their cities, including promoting the engagement of older residents in volunteer and paid roles that serve the city’s needs.
This fall, the Institute will recognize and publicly highlight mayors who have signed the pledge in conjunction with the publication of the next edition of Best Cities for Successful Aging. Launched in 2012, the report measures, compares and ranks U.S. metropolitan areas for their capacity to enable successful aging. The methodology makes use of publicly available data on health care, wellness, living arrangements, transportation, employment and educational opportunities and community engagement.
The first edition of the report received widespread attention from national and local media, city leaders and planners and a wide range of stakeholders. The Best Cities for Successful Aging report and rankings helped communities focus on actions to unlock the promise of successful aging.
“Enabling successful aging is a central issue of urban communities and municipal leaders,” said Irving. “The Best Cities for Successful Aging Mayor’s Pledge unites mayors in a commitment to enhance life for the world’s largest-ever population of older adults, and to ensure a better future for residents of all ages.”