The discussion questions posed by the Blue Zones group at the Friday workshop are excellent. They should be posted wherever people gather and also online so many people can add comments, and we could better discern the collective wisdom of the community.

There is much literature on aging in place, communities for a lifetime, what makes a community senior friendly, etc. Following are my 12 suggestions to support aging in place here:

Ask older adults for their input. Listen to and respect what they have to say. They have knowledge, experience, wisdom and time to reflect on these issues.

Civic engagement of older adults in all planning and decision making that affects them. It is not something we do to or for them but with them. Use the talents, skills and experience of older residents to benefit the community.

Require universal design standards on all new housing construction. Improve accessibility in all public buildings.

Develop more affordable transportation options that operate day and evening and weekends. Also regional transit to nearby cities like Rochester, Austin, Owatonna, Mason City, Mankato.

Freeze property values for community residents over 65 who live in their own homes.

Expand the capacity for affordable services to help older adults stay in place — meals on wheels, chore services (housecleaning, yard work, snow shoveling), home health workers, etc.

Well-marked crosswalks and traffic lights that allow for slower walkers and clear, larger print road signs. Bike lanes and trails that also accommodate power wheelchairs and scooters and possibly golf carts.

Part-time, seasonal, project-oriented jobs with flexible scheduling.

Intergenerational activities of all kinds and in all places that build bridges across cultural, language and age barriers.

Do not isolate or stereotype older adults.

Community policing-developing neighborhood networks that identify older adults in the neighborhood and create an informal support system and develop services to assist them in their neighborhood.

A regular column in the newspaper providing information on services and activities relevant to older adults.

If you wonder how to treat older adults, just walk in those shoes. When you are 80 or 90, how do you want to be treated?

Lenore Fries

Albert Lea