2009 Buffalo, New York Livable Communities Survey of AARP … · Source: 2009 Buffalo, New York...

2009 Buffalo, New YorkLivable Communities Surveyof AARP Members 50+:Fact Sheet, Annotation,and Methodology

December 2009

2009 Buffalo, New York Livable Communities Survey of AARP Members 50+: Fact Sheet, Annotation, and Methodology

Source: 2009 Buffalo, New York Livable Communities Survey of AARP Members 50+. For more information about the survey, please contact William Stoner at 212.407.3736 ([email protected]) or Joanne Binette at 202.434.6303 ([email protected]).

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Buffalo, New York 2009 Livable Communities Survey of AARP Members 50+

FACT SHEET City of Buffalo Statistics (Data from the U.S. Census Bureau)

In 2008, the City of Buffalo’s population was 263,366, 11% of the population was 65 years and older. Forty-one percent of people over 65 years have a disability.1,2

In 2008, 30% of Buffalo residents lived in poverty.3 In 2008, the median home value was $67,800, and the median rent was $646 in Buffalo.4 According to the 2000 Census, 54% of Buffalo residents have lived in the same house

since 1995.5 In 2009, there were 94 nursing homes and 3 assisted living facilities in Buffalo.6,7

Satisfaction with Community

About two in three AARP members in Buffalo say they are extremely or very satisfied with their community.

About four in five rate their community as excellent (19%), very good (35%), or good (29%). About one in six rate their community as fair (12%) or poor (4%).

Desire to Remain in Community

Nine in ten members say it is extremely (36%), very (32%), or somewhat (22%) important for them to remain in their community for as long as possible.

Nearly two in three (63%) have lived in their community for over 24 years and about one in seven (15%) have lived there for at least 15 years.

Most residents own their homes (79%) and live in a single-family house (67%). Three in four say it is extremely (48%) or very (27%) important for them to stay in their

own home for as long as possible. However, only one in six (16%) say their residence is part of a neighborhood or facility designed for older persons.

No answer, 1%

Not at all, 2%

Extremely, 20%

Very, 47%

Somewhat, 25%

Not very, 5%

Satisfaction with Their Community as a Place to Live (N=1,176)

©2009 AARP. All rights reserved.


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FACT SHEET Community Concerns

About half of Buffalo members identified the following problems in their community as big or small. Similarly, a little more than half of members identified the following as NOT a problem.

What’s A Problem (Members who say the following is a big or a small problem)

What’s Not a Problem (Members who say the following is NOT a problem)

Crime (74%) Heavy traffic (66%) Streets/sidewalks that need repair

(59%) Streets that are too dark (51%) Lack of involvement in community

improvements (48%) Rundown buildings (43%)

Too few traffic lights (75%) Proximity of shopping/banking/services

(70%) Public services (67%) Traffic lights timed too fast (61%) Not enough sidewalks (60%) Medical services (60%)

Home Modifications

Nearly one in four Buffalo members say their current residence needs a major repair, modification, or change to enable them to stay there as they get older.

Almost seven in ten strongly (43%) or somewhat (26%) support a law that would encourage builders to incorporate Universal Design standards during the building of new private homes.

More than two in three would also strongly (42%) or somewhat (25%) support legislation that requires that new affordable private homes that are being built for low-income residents use Universal Design standards.

10%

57%

23%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Not sure

No

Yes

Major Repairs, Modifications, or Changes Needed to Current Residence to Enable Members to Stay as They Age (N=1,176)



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FACT SHEET Common Modes of Transportation

Most Buffalo members get around in their neighborhoods for things like shopping, visiting the doctor, and running errands by driving a car; about two in five walk or get a ride with family and friends.

Interestingly, fewer than one in five (18%) use public transportation even though over four in five (81%) say public transportation is available in their community.

About one in six (16%) says they always, frequently, or sometimes miss activities because they don’t have transportation.

Eleven percent say they have a medical condition that makes it difficult for them to travel outside the home.

About two in five (38%) say they are somewhat satisfied with the streets in terms of safety for pedestrians and bicyclists; another one in six (17%) are not very or not at all satisfied with the degree of safety.

About half or more say they cannot safely walk from their home to a pharmacy (62%), a grocery store (60%), or to a park (49%).

Two in three say they would be extremely (31%) or very (35%) likely to support policies that would make streets safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation users.


5%

8%

11%

18%

37%

43%

83%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Special transportation service

Take taxi

Ride a bike

Public transportation

Get a ride with family/friends

Walk

Drive car

How Buffalo Members Get Around in Their Neighborhoods

(N=1,176)


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Buffalo, New York

2009 Livable Communities Survey of AARP Members 50+ FACT SHEET

Important Community Features and Services

Safe neighborhoods are an extremely important community characteristic for Buffalo members.

Buffalo members also say that

Hospice and special transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities are extremely important community services.


40%

42%

43%

44%

53%

72%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Sidewalks

Places to worship

Independent living svcs

Affordable shopping

Hospitals

Safe neighborhoods

Extremely Important Community Features (N=1,176)

39%

40%

42%

47%

48%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Visiting nurses

Home health monitor ing services

Home repairs

Special transportation service

Hospice

Extremely Important Community Services (N=1,176)


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FACT SHEET Respondents were asked how important twenty-one community features and fourteen community services were. Respondents were then asked if these features and services existed in their community. Pairing these questions allows us to look at “gaps” between the importance of the feature or service and its existence in the community. To compare these questions, residents who said a feature or service is extremely, very, or somewhat important were aggregated and compared to residents who said a feature or service existed in their community. Residents who said they were not sure if a feature or service was in their community were removed from this analysis. The biggest gaps identified between what is important and what exists in their community among Buffalo members age 50+ are: home repair services, good job opportunities, chore services, ways to connect older and younger people, outdoor maintenance services, and a variety of housing options for persons with different physical abilities. There were no gaps between what is important and what exists in their communities for meals on wheels, places to worship, and opportunities for volunteering.



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Features and Services in the Community (n=varies, based on awareness of

feature or service)

Extremely, Very, or

Somewhat Important

Yes, Characteristic

or Service Exists

Gap

A service that helps with home repairs, like with the roof or windows (n=469)

91.6% 50.5% -41.1%

Good job opportunities (n=748) 66.0% 26.7% -39.3%

Chore or homemakers services, like when someone comes in to do light housekeeping or cleaning (n=566)

88.2% 54.2% -34.0%

Ways to connect older and younger people (n=649) 86.9% 57.8% -29.1%

Outdoor maintenance services (n=616) 88.7% 60.2% -28.5% A variety of housing options for persons with different physical abilities (n=650)

90.5% 63.1% -27.4%

Safe neighborhoods (n=1053) 96.3% 71.8% -24.5%

Walking or bike trails within a half mile of your home (n=1073) 80.1% 56.6% -23.5% A wide variety of services to help you maintain your independence as you grow older (n=843)

94.9% 71.9% -23.0%

An adequate supply of affordable housing (n=813) 87.4% 66.3% -21.1%

Seasonal work, such as lawn work or snow removal (n=753) 90.4% 70.0% -20.4%

Respite care (n=538) 82.9% 62.5% -20.4%

Health monitoring services (n=589) 92.6% 73.3% -19.3% Well-designed and maintained streets (n=1115) 95.2% 75.9% -19.3%

Entertainment, such as theaters and concerts (n=1101) 87.2% 70.4% -16.8% Home health aide, personal care attendant, or other assistant who helps with personal needs (n=751)

90.6% 75.9% -14.7%

A grocery store within a half mile of your home (n=1164) 92.3% 78.5% -13.8% Dependable public transportation (n=1046) 91.0% 78.2% -12.8%

Visiting nurse, such as an RN who comes to your home (n=771) 92.0% 80.0% -12.0% A place where older people socialize (n=995) 92.2% 81.5% -10.7% Affordable shopping (n=1134) 95.9% 85.8% -10.1%

Sidewalks going to where you want to go (n=1135) 91.9% 82.1% -9.8% A drug store within a half mile of your home (n=1164) 91.6% 81.9% -9.7% Adult day care centers (n=709) 86.4% 77.0% -9.4%

Well run parks, community centers, and recreation centers (n=1084) 95.6% 86.4% -9.2% A hospital in the community (n=1169) 94.9% 86.3% -8.6% Accessible public buildings and facilities (n=970) 88.3% 80.7% -7.6%

Convenient places for public events and meetings (n=1015) 93.3% 86.4% -6.9%

End of life or hospice (n=948) 91.6% 86.0% -5.6% Special transportation service, like one for seniors or persons with disabilities (n=927)

93.2% 88.7% -4.5%

Congregate meals, such as senior lunch programs (n=878) 86.4% 84.4% -2.0%

Senior centers (n=1076) 93.1% 91.6% -1.5% Meals-on-wheels or home delivered meals (n=1019) 88.0% 90.6% 2.6% Places to worship (n=1161) 90.7% 95.4% 4.7% Opportunities for volunteering (n=909) 80.9% 87.2% 6.3%



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Survey Sample N=1252 AARP Members Age 50+ (Weighted N=1176; sampling error=+/- 2.8%)

Your Concerns

1. Below is a list of concerns that have been expressed by people age 50 and older. Please

check the box that most closely matches your level of concern about each item.

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a. Staying physically active ................................................ 32% 40% 19% 4% 3% 2%

b. Having high quality long-term care for yourself or a family member ................................................................ 38% 35% 16% 7% 2% 3%

c. Being able to stay in your current community as you get older ......................................................................... 32% 33% 20% 10% 4% 2%

d. Having enough money to meet daily living expenses .... 52% 23% 14% 6% 3% 2%

e. Affording your housing costs .......................................... 45% 25% 14% 8% 5% 3%

f. Losing physical abilities such as strength or hand- eye coordination .................................................................... 43% 28% 19% 6% 2% 3%

g. Having good job opportunities ........................................ 18% 18% 18% 19% 22% 7%

h. Having long-term care services that would allow you or a family member to stay at home for as long as possible .......................................................................... 42% 29% 18% 6% 3% 3%

i. Being able to stay in your current residence as you get older ......................................................................... 39% 25% 19% 9% 5% 3%

j. Losing cognitive abilities such as problem solving and short- and long-term memory ......................................... 39% 29% 19% 7% 3% 3%

k. Having safe and affordable transportation alternatives if you are no longer able to drive yourself where you need to go ...................................................................... 38% 31% 19% 7% 2% 3%

l. Affording your utility costs .............................................. 42% 26% 16% 8% 5% 3%

m. Becoming ill or disabled ................................................. 48% 27% 16% 4% 1% 4%

n. Continuing to drive safely ............................................... 33% 26% 19% 11% 6% 4%

o. Being treated by others as unimportant or incompetent .................................................................... 31% 25% 18% 16% 6% 4%

p. Being able to remain independent as you get older ....... 46% 30% 14% 5% 2% 3%

q. Making changes to your home to enable you to stay there as you get older .................................................... 26% 26% 24% 15% 5% 3%

r. Staying connected to family and friends as you get older ............................................................................... 41% 27% 14% 10% 5% 4%


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Your Community

2. How long have you lived in your current community?

7% < 5 year 13% 5 – 14 years 15% 15 – 24 years 14% 25 – 34 years 48% 35 + years 2% Missing/ No Answer

3. Do you live in the city limits of Buffalo?

52% Yes 46% No 1% Not sure 2% Missing/ No Answer

4. How important is it for you to remain in your community for as long as possible?

36% Extremely important 32% Very important 22% Somewhat important 7% Not very important 2% Not at all important 1% Missing/ No Answer

5. Thinking about your future needs, how would you rate your community as a place for

older people to live?

19% Excellent 35% Very good 29% Good 12% Fair 4% Poor 1% Missing/ No Answer

6. Overall, how satisfied are you with your community as a place to live?

20% Extremely satisfied 47% Very satisfied 25% Somewhat satisfied 5% Not very satisfied 2% Not at all satisfied 1% Missing/ No Answer


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Community Features

7. How important do you think it is to have the following features in your community?

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▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

a. Well run parks, community centers, and recreation centers ..................................................................... 36% 44% 16% 2% <1% 2%

b. Convenient places for public events and meetings .. 28% 42% 24% 4% 1% 2%

c. A place where older people socialize....................... 32% 40% 21% 5% 1% 2%

d. Dependable public transportation ............................ 39% 38% 14% 5% 2% 3%

e. Sidewalks going to where you want to go ................ 40% 38% 14% 4% 2% 3%

f. Safe neighborhoods ................................................. 72% 23% 2% <1% <1% 3%

g. Entertainment, such as theaters and concerts ......... 23% 37% 28% 7% 2% 4%

h. Walking or bike trails within a half mile of your home ........................................................................ 20% 30% 30% 13% 4% 2%

i. A grocery store within a half mile of your home ....... 38% 38% 17% 4% 1% 3%

j. A drug store within a half mile of your home ............ 38% 38% 16% 4% 1% 3%

k. A wide variety of services to help you maintain your independence as you grow older ..................... 43% 40% 12% 2% 1% 3%

l. Good job opportunities ............................................. 21% 25% 20% 12% 17% 5%

m. Accessible public buildings and facilities ................. 28% 39% 21% 6% 3% 3%

n. An adequate supply of affordable housing............... 36% 36% 15% 6% 4% 3%

o. A variety of housing options for persons with different physical abilities ......................................... 36% 37% 18% 5% 2% 3%

p. Ways to connect older and younger people in the community ............................................................... 23% 35% 30% 8% 3% 3%

q. Opportunities for volunteering .................................. 16% 34% 30% 11% 5% 4%

r. Well-designed and maintained streets ..................... 38% 45% 13% 2% 1% 3%

s. A hospital in the community ..................................... 53% 34% 8% 3% <1% 2%

t. Affordable shopping ................................................. 44% 41% 10% 1% <1% 2%

u. Places to worship ..................................................... 42% 35% 14% 4% 3% 2%


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8. Does the community where you live have the following features?

Yes No

Not sure Missing

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

a. Well run parks, community centers, and recreation centers .... 80% 10% 8% 2%

b. Convenient places for public events and meetings .................. 75% 9% 14% 2%

c. A place where older people socialize....................................... 74% 9% 15% 2%

d. Dependable public transportation ............................................ 70% 16% 11% 3%

e. Sidewalks going to where you want to go ................................ 79% 15% 4% 2%

f. Safe neighborhoods ................................................................. 64% 22% 11% 3%

g. Entertainment, such as theaters and concerts ......................... 66% 25% 6% 3%

h. Walking or bike trails within a half mile of your home .............. 52% 37% 9% 3%

i. A grocery store within a half mile of your home ....................... 78% 19% 1% 3%

j. A drug store within a half mile of your home ............................ 81% 15% 1% 3%

k. A wide variety of services to help you maintain your independence as you grow older ............................................. 52% 18% 28% 3%

l. Good job opportunities ............................................................. 17% 41% 36% 5%

m. Accessible public buildings and facilities ................................. 67% 12% 18% 4%

n. An adequate supply of affordable housing............................... 46% 20% 31% 4%

o. A variety of housing options for persons with different physical abilities ....................................................................... 35% 17% 45% 3%

p. Ways to connect older and younger people in the community 32% 20% 45% 3%

q. Opportunities for volunteering .................................................. 67% 7% 23% 3%

r. Well-designed and maintained streets ..................................... 72% 19% 5% 4%

s. A hospital in the community ..................................................... 86% 11% 1% 3%

t. Affordable shopping ................................................................. 83% 11% 4% 3%

u. Places to worship ..................................................................... 94% 2% 1% 3%


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Community Services

9. To help people remain in their own homes as they age in your community, how important are the following services?

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a. Senior centers ........................................................ 35% 40% 18% 3% 1% 3%

b. Housekeeping services (cleaning or light maintenance services) ........................................... 23% 38% 27% 6% 2% 4%

c. Congregate meals such as senior lunch programs ................................................................ 28% 34% 25% 7% 2% 4%

d. Meals-on-wheels or home delivered meals ............ 35% 34% 18% 6% 2% 4%

e. A service that helps low-income or older persons with home repairs, like with the roof or windows .... 42% 35% 14% 3% 2% 4%

f. Visiting nurse such as an RN who comes to your home ...................................................................... 39% 38% 15% 3% 2% 4%

g. Seasonal work such as lawn work or snow removal .................................................................. 36% 38% 17% 4% 3% 3%

h. Home health aide, personal care attendant, or other assistant who helps with personal needs ...... 35% 37% 18% 3% 2% 4%

i. Respite care (getting a break from caregiving duties) .................................................................... 30% 34% 20% 8% 5% 4%

j. End of life or hospice (medication or services provided to relieve symptoms of terminal illness) ... 48% 35% 9% 2% 2% 4%

k. Special transportation service like one for seniors or persons with disabilities ..................................... 47% 36% 10% 2% 1% 4%

l. Home health monitoring services (services that monitor blood pressure, weight, etc. and transmit data that is reviewed by health professionals or emergency response systems that alerts others of a medical emergency) ........................................ 40% 36% 16% 2% 1% 4%

m. Outdoor maintenance services such as cleaning gutters or repairing roofing ..................................... 33% 35% 21% 4% 2% 5%

n. Adult day care centers ........................................... 27% 37% 23% 6% 3% 4%


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10. Does the community where you live have the following services?

Yes No

Not sure Missing

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

a. Senior centers ........................................................................... 84% 4% 9% 3%

b. Housekeeping services ............................................................. 26% 18% 52% 4%

c. Congregate meals such as senior lunch programs ................... 63% 8% 25% 4%

d. Meals-on-wheels or home delivered meals ............................... 79% 2% 13% 6%

e. A service that helps low-income or older persons with home repairs, like with the roof or windows ........................................ 20% 15% 60% 5%

f. Visiting nurse such as an RN who comes to your home ........... 52% 9% 34% 4%

g. Seasonal work such as lawn work or snow removal ................. 45% 15% 36% 5%

h. Home health aide, personal care attendant, or other assistant who helps with personal needs .................................. 49% 11% 36% 4%

i. Respite care (getting a break from caregiving duties) ............... 29% 12% 54% 6%

j. End of life or hospice (medication or services provided to relieve symptoms of terminal illness) ........................................ 69% 7% 19% 5%

k. Special transportation service like one for seniors or persons with disabilities .......................................................................... 70% 5% 21% 4%

l. Home health monitoring services .............................................. 37% 8% 50% 5%

m. Outdoor maintenance services such as cleaning gutters or repairing roofing ........................................................................ 32% 16% 48% 5%

n. Adult day care centers ............................................................... 46% 9% 40% 5%

11. If you needed to access any of the services referenced in Questions 9 and 10, would you

turn to any of the following sources to get more information about them?

Yes No Not sure Missing

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

a. Family members or friends ........................................................ 86% 5% 4% 5%

b. Your doctor or other health professional .................................... 84% 5% 5% 6%

c. Office of Aging ........................................................................... 55% 14% 24% 8%

d. Department of Social Services ................................................... 62% 15% 17% 6%

e. Senior Center ............................................................................. 65% 11% 17% 8%

f. Internet ....................................................................................... 53% 24% 12% 10%

g. Phone book ................................................................................ 56% 13% 13% 18%

h. Other, please specify:_____________________________________________________


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Community Problems

12. How much of a problem is each of the following in your community?

Big problem

Small problem

Not a problem

Not sure Missing

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

a. Heavy traffic ........................................................... 20% 46% 30% 1% 3%

b. Crime ..................................................................... 31% 43% 19% 4% 3%

c. Being too far away from parks and recreation ....... 7% 32% 55% 2% 4%

d. Noise ..................................................................... 10% 34% 51% 1% 3%

e. Street and sidewalks that need repair ................... 22% 36% 38% 2% 2%

f. Not enough sidewalks ........................................... 9% 23% 60% 4% 5%

g. Streets are too dark ............................................... 16% 34% 43% 3% 4%

h. Rundown or abandoned buildings, houses or apartments ............................................................. 23% 20% 51% 3% 3%

i. Poor public services such as schools, garbage, or snow removal .................................................... 9% 20% 67% 2% 3%

j. Public transportation that is too far away ............... 9% 28% 56% 5% 3%

k. Public transportation that is too limited or not available ................................................................ 11% 28% 49% 8% 4%

l. Not enough senior services ................................... 10% 24% 41% 23% 2%

m. Too few traffic lights ............................................... 4% 13% 75% 5% 3%

n. Traffic lights that are timed too fast ....................... 7% 21% 61% 8% 4%

o. Shopping, banks, or other needed services being too far away ................................................. 7% 20% 70% 1% 2%

p. Not enough arts or cultural activities ..................... 8% 20% 56% 14% 3%

q. Not enough affordable housing ............................. 14% 21% 40% 23% 2%

r. Not enough medical services ................................ 8% 20% 60% 9% 3%

s. People don’t get involved in efforts to improve the community ....................................................... 21% 27% 32% 17% 3%


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Your Residence

13. Do you own or rent your primary residence?

79% Own 20% Rent 1% Missing/ No Answer

14. What type of home is your primary residence?

67% Single family home 1% Mobile home 5% Town home or duplex

14% Apartment 3% Condominium or coop 4% Other, please specify: _____________________________________ 6% Missing/ No Answer

15. Is your residence part of a neighborhood or facility designed for older persons?

16% Yes 82% No 2% Missing/ No Answer

16. Including yourself, how many people live in your household?

38% 1 44% 2 10% 3 4% 4 1% 5 1% 6 1% 7 or more 2% Missing/ No Answer

17. How important is it for you to stay in your current residence for as long as possible?

48% Extremely important 27% Very important 15% Somewhat important 6% Not very important 3% Not at all important 2% Missing/ No Answer

18. Does your current residence need any major repairs, modifications, or changes

to enable you to stay there as you age?

23% Yes GO TO Question 19 57% No SKIP TO Question 20 10% Not sure SKIP TO Question 20 11% Missing/ No Answer


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19. What types of modifications or improvements does your home need to enable you to stay there as you age?

20. Universal design means products and buildings are accessible and usable by

everyone, including people with disabilities. Universal design is a framework for the design of living and working spaces and products, benefiting the widest possible range of people in the widest range of situations without special or separate design. Basic Universal Design features in a private home would include a no step entrance into the home, 36 inch doorways, a bedroom or room to convert into a bedroom on the main floor, and a full bath on the main floor.

How strongly would you support or oppose a local town law that would provide

incentives for builders, such as easier zoning restrictions and waiving permit fees, to encourage builders to incorporate Universal Design standards during the building of new private homes?

43% Strongly support 26% Somewhat support 21% Neither support nor oppose 3% Somewhat oppose 1% Strongly oppose 6% Missing

21. How strongly would you support or oppose legislation that requires that new

affordable private homes that are built for low-income residents with county or state funds be built using Universal Design standards?

42% Strongly support 25% Somewhat support 22% Neither support nor oppose 4% Somewhat oppose 3% Strongly oppose 4% Missing

Community Streets & Transportation

22. Do you usually get around your community for things like shopping, visiting the doctor, running errands, or other things by doing the following?

Yes No Not sure Missing

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

a. Drive yourself .......................................................... 83% 13% <1% 4%

b. Get a ride with family or friends ............................... 37% 47% 1% 15%

c. Walk ........................................................................ 43% 39% 1% 17%

d. Ride a bike .............................................................. 11% 69% <1% 19%

e. Take a taxi ............................................................... 8% 73% 1% 18%

f. Use public transportation ......................................... 18% 64% 1% 18%

g. Use a special transportation service, like one for seniors or persons with disabilities .......................... 5% 75% 2% 18%


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23. How often do you miss activities because you do not have transportation?

1% Always 4% Frequently

10% Sometimes 24% Rarely 57% Never 3% Missing/ No Answer

24. Excluding taxi services, is public transportation service available in your community?

81% Yes 6% No

10% Not sure 2% Missing/ No Answer

25. Do you or your spouse or partner have a medical condition that makes it difficult for you to travel outside of your home?

11% Yes, I do 3% Yes, my spouse or partner does 1% Both myself and my spouse or partner does

82% No 3% Missing/ No Answer

26. How satisfied are you with the streets in your community in terms of their safety for pedestrians and bicyclists?

10% Extremely satisfied 34% Very satisfied 38% Somewhat satisfied 12% Not very satisfied 4% Not at all satisfied 2% Missing/ No Data

27. How likely are you to walk or bike or catch a bus to get where you need to go if the

streets in your community were safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, had better street lighting, better traffic signals, and better crosswalks?

12% Extremely likely 21% Very likely 22% Somewhat likely 27% Not very likely 16% Not at all likely 3% Missing/ No Answer

28. Some cities and states across the country are implementing policies to ensure roads

will be designed for all users, not only drivers, but also pedestrians, bicycle riders, and those using public transportation. How likely are you to support such a policy in your community?

31% Extremely likely 35% Very likely 24% Somewhat likely 6% Not very likely 2% Not at all likely 3% Missing/ No Answer


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29. Can you safely walk from your home to the following places?

Yes No

Not applicable Missing

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

a. Your place of work ................................................... 11% 28% 56% 5%

b. A grocery store ........................................................ 60% 31% 6% 2%

c. A pharmacy ............................................................. 62% 29% 6% 3%

d. Your doctor’s office .................................................. 14% 67% 17% 3%

e. To a park or recreation area .................................... 49% 39% 9% 2%

About You

The following questions are for classification purposes only and will be kept entirely confidential. D1. How would you rate your overall health today?

13% Excellent 33% Very good

34% Good 16% Fair 4% Poor 1% Missing/ No Answer

D2. Does any disability, handicap, or chronic disease keep you from participating fully in

work, school, housework, or other activities?


D3. Are you male or female?

44% Male 55% Female 1% Missing/ No Answer

D4. What is your age as of your last birthday? ________ (in years)

27% 50-59 44% 60-74 29% 75+ 0% Missing/ No Answer

D5. What is your 5-digit ZIP Code? (Write in your ZIP CODE): ___ ___ ___ ___ ___


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D6. What is your current marital status?

45% Married 3% Not married, living with partner 2% Separated 14% Divorced 24% Widowed 11% Never married 1% Missing/ No Answer

D7. What is the highest level of education that you completed?

9% 0-12th grade (no diploma) 33% High school graduate (or equivalent) 16% Post-high school education (no degree) 11% 2-year college degree 10% 4-year college degree 4% Post-graduate study (no degree)

14% Graduate or professional degree 5% Missing/ No Answer

D8. Which of the following best describes your current employment status?

3% Self-employed, part-time 2% Self-employed, full-time

10% Employed, part-time 21% Employed, full-time 54% Retired, not working at all 6% Not in labor force for other reasons 3% Unemployed, but looking for work 4% Missing/ No Answer

D9. Are you of Hispanic, Spanish, or Latino origin or descent?


D10. What is your race?

77% White or Caucasian 16% Black or African American <1% American Indian or Alaska Native <1% Asian <1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 2% Other 6% Missing/ No Answer

D11. In the last 12 months, have you accessed the Internet from your home or work or

from some other source such as your local library?

53% Yes GO TO Question D12 40% No SKIP TO Question D13 6% Missing/ No Answer


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D12. In the last 12 months, have you visited any of AARP’s Internet/Web sites (aarp.org,

AARPmagazine.org, etc.)? (N = 704)


D13. What was your annual household income before taxes in 2008?

6% Less than $10,000 13% $10,000 to $19,999 20% $20,000 to $34,999 12% $35,000 to $49,999 8% $50,000 to $59,999 8% $60,000 to $74,999 6% $75,000 to $99,999 6% $100,000 or more 9% Not sure

11% Missing/ No Answer

Thank you very much for completing this survey. Please return your completed survey by November 27, 2009

in the enclosed postage-paid envelope to: AARP State Research

601 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20049


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Survey Methodology

AARP conducted the 2009 AARP Livable Communities Survey of Buffalo, New York between October 30 and November 27, 2009. Mail surveys were sent to a randomly selected sample of 3,000 members in Buffalo, New York. The survey sampled members residing in the City of Buffalo and the surrounding areas. For the purposes of this fact sheet the data are based on all survey respondents who live in the City of Buffalo and the surrounding areas. The appendix includes detailed tables that show a comparison of the responses of those members living in the City of Buffalo and those living in the surrounding areas. Tables are only shown for questions that had significant differences between those respondents who live in the City of Buffalo and those who live in the surrounding areas. Each sampled member was contacted about the survey in four ways: a pre-notification postcard, the survey itself, a reminder postcard, and a second survey. Of the 3,000 surveyed, 1,252 returned surveys by the end date yielding a response rate of 42 percent. The survey has a sampling error of plus or minus 2.8 percent. Survey responses were weighted to reflect the distribution of AARP members by age. The weighted number of respondents used for this analysis is 1,176. As of January 30, 2010, there were 39,401 active AARP members residing in Buffalo, New York. Throughout the report, statistics representing member responses are reported in percentages. Percentages may not sum to 100 due to rounding effects. Also due to rounding, the percents reported in the text may vary slightly from those in the annotation or in graphs.


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End Notes 1 U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. ACS Demographic and Housing Characteristics-Buffalo City, 2008. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US3611000&-qr_name=ACS_2008_1YR_G00_DP5&-context=adp&-ds_name=&-tree_id=308&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-format=. 2 U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. Selected Social Characteristics-Buffalo City, 2008. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-context=adp&-qr_name=ACS_2008_1YR_G00_DP2&-ds_name=ACS_2008_1YR_G00_&-tree_id=308&-redoLog=true&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=16000US3611000&-format=&-_lang=en. 3 U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. Selected Economic Characteristics-Buffalo City, 2008. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US3611000&-qr_name=ACS_2008_1YR_G00_DP3&-context=adp&-ds_name=&-tree_id=308&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-format=. 4 U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. Selected Housing Characteristics-Buffalo City, 2008. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US3611000&-qr_name=ACS_2008_1YR_G00_DP4&-context=adp&-ds_name=&-tree_id=308&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-format=. 5 U.S. Census Bureau State and County Quick Facts-Buffalo City, 2000. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/3611000.html. 6 New York State Department of Health Nursing Home Profile-Buffalo City, 2009. http://nursinghomes.nyhealth.gov/browse_search.php?PHPSESSID=938c2c5fc555c3d2fcf3a2cb78664e07&rt=R_Western+NY+-+Buffalo&form=REGION. 7 New York State Department of Health Adult Care Facilities Profile-Buffalo City, 2009. http://www.nyhealth.gov/facilities/adult_care/county/erie.htm.


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APPENDIX

The tables below compare the responses on survey questions between those members living in the City of Buffalo and those members living in the surrounding areas. Only the responses where there are statistically significant differences between those respondents who live in the City of Buffalo and those who live in the surrounding areas are shown.

TABLE 1-Importance of Community Features

Importance of Community Features (respondents rating feature extremely/very important)

City of Buffalo

(n=608)

Surrounding Areas of Buffalo

(n=541)Well run parks, community centers and recreation centers

84% 77%

Dependable public transportation 82% 72%

Sidewalks going to where you want to go 82% 74%

Walking or bike trails within a half mile of your home 55% 46%

A grocery store within a half mile of your home 80% 70%

A drug store within a half mile of your home 81% 69%

Good job opportunities 50% 41%

Accessible public buildings and facilities 72% 61%

An adequate supply of affordable housing 75% 69%

A variety of housing options for persons with different physical abilities

77% 69%

Ways to connect older and younger people in the community

62% 52%

Well-designed and maintained streets 86% 81%

Affordable shopping 88% 83%


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TABLE 2-Existence of Community Features

Existence of Community Features (respondents who say feature exists in their community)

City of Buffalo

(n=608)


(n=541)Well run parks, community centers, and recreation centers

70% 92%

Convenient places for public events and meetings 68% 83%

A place where older people socialize 66% 83%

Dependable public transportation 81% 57%

Sidewalks going to where you want to go 85% 73%

Safe neighborhoods 47% 85%

Entertainment, such as theaters and concerts 60% 73%

A wide variety of services to help you maintain your independence as you grow older

46% 59%

Good job opportunities 14% 21%

Accessible public buildings and facilities 61% 74%

An adequate supply of affordable housing 43% 50%

A variety of housing options for persons with different physical abilities

33% 38%

Ways to connect older and younger people in the community

29% 37%

Opportunities for volunteering 62% 74%

Well-designed and maintained streets 60% 86%

A hospital in the community 84% 88%

Affordable shopping 76% 91%

Places to worship 93% 97%


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TABLE 3-Importance of Community Services

Importance of Community Services (respondents rating service extremely/very important)

City of Buffalo

(n=608)


(n=541)Senior centers 79% 70%

Chore or homemakers services, like when someone comes in to do light housekeeping or cleaning

67% 56%

Congregate meals, such as senior lunch programs 67% 56%

Meals-on-wheels or home delivered meals 75% 64%

A service that helps with home repairs, like with the roof or windows

83% 71%

Visiting nurse such as an RN that comes to your home 82% 72%

Seasonal work such as lawn work or snow removal 77% 70%

Home health aides or personal care attendants’ that help with personal needs

77% 68%

Special transportation services for seniors or persons with disabilities

86% 80%

Home health monitoring services 80% 72%

Outdoor maintenance services 73% 62%

Adult day care centers 69% 57%

TABLE 4-Existence of Community Services

Existence of Community Services (respondents who say feature exists in their community)

City of Buffalo

(n=608)


(n=541)Senior centers 77% 92%

Congregate meals such as senior lunch programs 59% 69%

Meals-on-wheels or home delivered meals 75% 83%

A service that helps with home repairs, like with the roof or windows

24% 16%

Visiting nurse such as an RN that comes to your home 49% 57%

Seasonal work such as lawn work or snow removal 36% 54%

Home health aides or personal care attendants who help with personal needs

46% 52%

Respite care 26% 33%

End of life or hospice care 64% 76%

Outdoor maintenance services 26% 40%

Adult day care centers 41% 52%


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TABLE 5-Community Concerns

Problems in community (respondents who rated each one a big or small problem)

City of Buffalo

(n=608)


(n=541)Heavy traffic 62% 70%

Crime 85% 61%

Proximity of parks and recreation 46% 32%

Noise 53% 34%

Street/sidewalks that need repair 67% 49%

Streets that are too dark 55% 46%

Rundown or abandoned buildings, houses or apartments

63% 21%

Public services 45% 12%

Proximity of public transportation 31% 44%

Lack or limit of public transportation 35% 44 %

Not enough of senior services 41% 26 %

Too few traffic lights 21% 12%

Traffic lights that are timed too fast 32% 21%

Proximity of shopping, banks or other needed services 35% 17 %

Not enough arts or cultural activities 34% 21%

Not enough affordable housing 44% 25%

Not enough medical services 37% 17%

Lack of involvement in community improvements 58% 35%

TABLE 6-Community Information Sources

Information Sources on Community Services

(respondents who would use source) City of Buffalo

(n=608)


(n=541)Family members or friends 84% 89%

Office of Aging 60% 49%

Department of Social Services 64% 59%


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TABLE 7-Community Satisfaction

City of Buffalo

(n=608)


(n=541)Rate Community Excellent or Very Good as a Place for Older People to Live

44% 67%

Satisfaction With Community as a Place for Older People (respondents who were extremely/very satisfied with community)

56% 80%

TABLE 8-Home Modifications

City of Buffalo

(n=608)


(n=541)Own primary residence 72% 88%

Current Residence in Need of Major Repairs, Modifications, or Changes (respondents who say “yes”)

28% 16%

Strongly Support Local Town Law that Provided Incentives for Builders to Encourage Universal Design Standards.

50% 35%

Strongly Support Legislation Requiring New Affordable Private Homes be Built for Low-income Residents Using Universal Design Standards?

49% 34%


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TABLE 9-Community Transportation

City of Buffalo

(n=608)


(n=541)Run errands by…

Driving yourself 78% 90%

Getting a ride with family or friends 39% 32%

Walking 47% 41%

Riding a bike 10% 14%

Taking a taxi 11% 4%

Using public transportation 27% 6%

Using special transportation services for seniors or those with disabilities.

6% 3%

Public Transportation Service Available in Community

89% 73%

Satisfaction with Streets in Community for Pedestrians and Bicyclists (respondents who say “yes”)

34% 56%

Likelihood of Supporting Policies Ensuring Roads are Designed for Drivers, Pedestrians, Bicyclists and Public Transportation Users (respondents who say extremely/very likely)

70% 60%


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TABLE 10-City of Buffalo Gap Analysis of Which Features and

Services are Important Versus Which Ones Exist


feature or service)

Extremely, Very, or

Somewhat Important

Yes, Characteristic

or Service Exists

Gap

Good job opportunities (n=423) 70.0% 19.4% -50.6%Safe neighborhoods (n=530) 95.4% 53.4% -42.0%

Outdoor maintenance services (n=308) 89.9% 48.7% -41.2%A service that helps with home repairs, like with the roof or windows (n=277)

93.4% 52.3% -41.1%


89.8% 49.0% -40.8%

Ways to connect older and younger people (n=347) 87.2% 50.4% -36.8%A variety of housing options for persons with different physical abilities (n=351)

91.1% 56.4% -34.7%

Seasonal work, such as lawn work or snow removal (n=372)

91.4% 58.9% -32.5%

A wide variety of services to help you maintain your independence as you grow older (n=439)

95.3% 64.0% -31.3%

Well-designed and maintained streets (n=570) 95.7% 64.4% -31.3%

An adequate supply of affordable housing (n=433) 89.3% 59.8% -29.5%

Respite care (n=281) 84.1% 56.2% -27.9%Walking or bike trails within a half mile of your home (n=557)

81.0% 56.4% -24.6%

Health monitoring services (n=312) 93.5% 69.9% -23.6%Entertainment, such as theaters and concerts (n=566) 86.5% 64.3% -22.2%Home health aide, personal care attendant, or other assistant who helps with personal needs (n=390)

91.3% 71.3% -20.0%

Well run parks, community centers, and recreation centers (n=543)

95.5% 78.1% -17.4%

Visiting nurse, such as an RN who comes to your home (n=384)

93.4% 76.8% -16.6%

Affordable shopping (n=583) 95.7% 79.6% -16.1%Accessible public buildings and facilities (n=496) 90.3% 74.6% -15.7%Adult day care centers (n=352) 86.4% 71.0% -15.4%A grocery store within a half mile of your home (n=600) 93.4% 80.0% -13.4%Convenient places for public events and meetings (n=511)

93.7% 81.0% -12.7%

A hospital in the community (n=604) 95.0% 84.4% -10.6%A place where older people socialize (n=489) 92.2% 81.8% -10.4%

End of life or hospice (n=474) 91.2% 81.9% -9.3% A drug store within a half mile of your home (n=602) 92.7% 83.6% -9.1% Congregate meals, such as senior lunch programs (n=446)

87.7% 79.8% -7.9%


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feature or service)

Extremely, Very, or

Somewhat Important

Yes, Characteristic

or Service Exists

Gap

Special transportation service, like one for seniors or persons with disabilities (n=479)

93.2% 85.8% -7.4%

Dependable public transportation (n=572) 92.6% 86.2% -6.4% Senior centers (n=532) 93.8% 88.0% -5.8%

Sidewalks going to where you want to go (n=593) 92.9% 87.2% -5.7% Meals-on-wheels or home delivered meals (n=517) 89.8% 88.4% -1.4% Opportunities for volunteering (n=453) 81.8% 83.0% 1.2% Places to worship (n=600) 90.3% 94.0% 3.7%

TABLE 11-Buffalo Surrounding Areas Gap Analysis of Which Features and Services are Important Versus Which Ones Exist


feature or service)

Extremely, Very, or

Somewhat Important

Yes, Characteristic

or Service Exists

Gap

A service that helps with home repairs, like with the roof or windows (n=184)

89.7% 47.3% -42.4%


86.5% 61.0% -25.5%

Good job opportunities (n=309) 61.5% 37.2% -24.3%Walking or bike trails within a half mile of your home (n=491)

79.0% 56.4% -22.6%

Dependable public transportation (n=450) 89.5% 68.7% -20.8%

Ways to connect older and younger people (n=289) 87.1% 68.5% -18.6%A variety of housing options for persons with different physical abilities (n=284)

89.6% 72.9% -16.7%

Outdoor maintenance services (n=297) 88.0% 73.1% -14.9%

Sidewalks going to where you want to go (n=517) 91.0% 76.8% -14.2%A grocery store within a half mile of your home (n=537) 91.2% 77.5% -13.7%

Health monitoring services (n=264) 91.6% 78.0% -13.6%A wide variety of services to help you maintain your independence as you grow older (n=385)

94.7% 82.6% -12.1%

Entertainment, such as theaters and concerts (n=510) 88.3% 77.6% -10.7%

Respite care (n=248) 82.0% 71.4% -10.6%

An adequate supply of affordable housing (n=363) 85.2% 74.9% -10.3%A drug store within a half mile of your home (n=536) 90.5% 80.8% -9.7% Home health aide, personal care attendant, or other assistant who helps with personal needs (n=345)

90.0% 81.2% -8.8%

Seasonal work, such as lawn work or snow removal (n=362)

89.6% 80.9% -8.7%


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feature or service)

Extremely, Very, or

Somewhat Important

Yes, Characteristic

or Service Exists

Gap

Visiting nurse, such as an RN who comes to your home (n=369)

90.4% 83.5% -6.9%

A hospital in the community (n=538) 95.3% 88.8% -6.5% Well-designed and maintained streets (n=524) 95.1% 88.9% -6.2% Safe neighborhoods (n=499) 97.8% 92.2% -5.6% Affordable shopping (n=528) 96.6% 93.0% -3.6% Adult day care centers (n=341) 86.3% 83.0% -3.3% Special transportation service, like one for seniors or persons with disabilities (n=427)

93.4% 91.8% -1.6%

End of life or hospice (n=454) 91.6% 90.3% -1.3% Well run parks, community centers, and recreation centers (n=519)

96.3% 95.8% -0.5%

Convenient places for public events and meetings (n=483)

93.1% 92.8% -0.3%

A place where older people socialize (n=480) 92.6% 93.8% 1.2% Accessible public buildings and facilities (n=453) 86.3% 88.3% 2.0% Senior centers (n=519) 92.3% 95.4% 3.1% Congregate meals, such as senior lunch programs (n=413)

84.8% 89.8% 5.0%

Places to worship (n=535) 91.7% 97.6% 5.9% Meals-on-wheels or home delivered meals (n=479) 86.0% 93.5% 7.5% Opportunities for volunteering (n=438) 80.9% 91.8% 10.9%

AARP Knowledge Management

For more information, please contact Joanne Binette at: 202.434.6303 or e-mail [email protected]

2009 Buffalo, New York Livable Communities Survey of AARP … · Source: 2009 Buffalo, New York...

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