Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

As Pittsburgh’s Population Ages, A Push To Make The City More Senior-Friendly

Jake Savitz
/
90.5 WESA

In the next two decades, there will be a 40 percent growth in the population of residents 65 and older in Allegheny County,according to research from the University of Pittsburgh.

Tuesday morning, Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh unveiled a plan of 30 action items to make Pittsburgh more inclusive for older residents by 2020.

The initiative's project manager, Laura Poskin, said the plan addresses issues of access, social connection and innovation.

"Everyone's excited about the Pittsburgh tech boom, that came up in a lot of our conversations," she said. "We have to make sure everyone can access that tech boom and be a part of it."

Strategies in the plan include conducting studies on the walkability of Pittsburgh's streets, a campaign to combat social isolation and offering intergenerational programming in public parks.

The action plan was developed with more than 100 organizations, according to Poskin.

"We also really tried to get out and talk to neighbors and see what it is they need and want to see to have their neighborhood be a place that they want to grow old," she said.

Mayor Bill Peduto's office and other city departments will provide support in implementing some of the initiatives.