Age-Friendly COMMUNITY PROGRESS REPORT


PARK AUDIT AND RECOMMENDATONS: A snapshot of the City of Northfield’s parks through an Age-friendly Northfield lens as it relates to potential use of parks by older adults.

Since completing the audit observations, planned improvements have taken place. The completion of the pickleball courts, a swing bench, additional benches and benches with arms. Curb cuts near some parks were installed during the recent infrastructure work in the northeast quadrant.

web banner new A1-layer text

FINAL REPORT IN-HOME SERVICES AND SUPPORT SURVEY: The survey gathered information from individuals age 50+ related to home and community-based services that are typically needed as we age. We were looking for responses from older adults who need these services, as well as the adult children who might be looking for options to support their parents who want to have the option to age in place. For each service category we asked:
• What services people are currently using and which type of service within that category
• What services do people need but are not using, and why did they not use them

Data was used from 349 survey respondents for the final report.

Service categories in the survey included:
• Chore
• Healthy Living Programs
• Homemaker
• Home Modification
• Nutrition & Meals
• Personal Care & Home Health
• Respite Care
• Support Groups Services
• Transportation

AGE-FRIENDLY NORTHFIELD COMMUNITY REPORT: The current report presents the results of our August-September 2017 survey. We used this data and analysis, in conjunction with ongoing community outreach and continuing assessment, to develop our Action Plan.
Age-Friendly Northfield Community Report
Questionnaire-AARP-Survey-of-Community-Residents-2015-2016
Out of 1000 surveys mailed and electronic access to the survey in several community locations, 467 surveys were returned.

The Age-Friendly Northfield Survey and Steering Committees would like to thank the following people for their support and assistance in initiating this Age-Friendly Northfield initiative, and in conducting, analyzing and reporting the results of this survey: former Mayor Dana Graham, current Mayor Rhonda Pownell, former City Administrator CC Linstroth, current City Administrator Ben Martig, AARP Minnesota State Director Will Phillips, AARP Senior Research Advisor Joanne Binette, Carleton Professor of Mathematics and Statistics Katie St. Clair, Applied Education Research Consultant Carol Trosset.

AGE-FRIENDLY NORTHFIELD ACTION PLAN: The action plan is now complete and will be implemented from 2020-2022. The plan specifically addresses four broad issues—or domains—that older residents (aged 50+) who completed the survey indicated are in need of the most urgent attention: Housing, Health and Wellness, Community Information, and Outdoor Spaces and Buildings. The other four domains also will be addressed but with less direct attention at this stage.
Age-friendly Northfield Action Plan-2019
AFN Listening Sessions