Road to livability: the 2013 aarp livable communities survey of eugene and springfield, oregon registered voters ages 50+

The AARP Oregon State Office commissioned a survey to explore the views of registered voters age 50+ in Eugene and Springfield on characteristics of an age friendly community. This survey

also explored opinions about other age friendly community characteristics such as outdoor spaces, housing, transportation, communication, personal health and wellbeing, hunger social

participation and inclusion of older adults. Key findings include: * Eugene and Springfield registered voters age 50+ have lived in their community for a long time and are likely to remain

there as they get older. * Over half have lived in their community for at least 20 years. * About three in five say they are not too or not at all likely to move outside of their community

in the next 10 years. * When asked about community features, most Eugene and Springfield registered voters age 50+ say it is extremely or very important to live in communities that are safe,

have well-run parks and recreation centers, affordable housing, well-designed and maintained streets and sidewalks going where they need to go. * When asked about community services, most

Eugene and Springfield registered voters age 50+ say it is extremely or very important to live in communities that have end of life care, special transportation for seniors and the disabled,

a home repair service for low-income and older adults, a variety of long-term care facilities and home health aides. * Gaps in community features and services were identified by comparing

the features and services Eugene and Springfield registered voters age 50+ rated as important and those that they say exist in their community. * The top gaps in community features are good

job opportunities, an adequate supply of affordable housing, hospitals and clinics and affordable shopping within a half mile of residents’ homes and well-designed and maintained streets. *

The top gaps in community services are a service that helps low-income or older persons with home repairs, outdoor maintenance and respite care. * Approximately seven in ten Eugene and

Springfield registered voters age 50+ say they would be extremely or very likely to support a policy that ensures roads will be designed for all users including drivers, pedestrians,

bicyclists and public transportation users. These results are based on a mail survey fielded June 28 to August 12, 2013.  In Eugene 3,157 registered voters age 50+ were surveyed and a total

of 592 surveys were returned.  In Springfield 843 registered voters age 50+ were surveyed and a total of 144 surveys were returned. The margin of error for these survey samples is +4.1 and +

8.3 percent, respectively. For more information, contact Joanne Binette at (202) 434-6303 or Brandi Cage at (202) 434-6357.