Author: AustinUP

The Milken Institute released its “Best Cities for Successful Aging” report this week, with major nods to Austin and AustinUP. Take a look at page 18 of the report to see Austin listed #6 in the Top 20 Large Metros. Then scroll down to page 47 to see AustinUP included in a list of “Programs with Purpose.” We are proud to be included in this report and very proud of our work to make Austin one of the best cities for successful aging.  Full press release below.

LOS ANGELES, 3.14.17—This week, the Milken Institute released the third edition of its “Best Cities for Successful Aging” report and index, a collaboration between the Institute’s Center for the Future of Aging and its Research Department. The report evaluates 381 U.S. metropolitan areas to determine how well they serve the needs of the nation’s growing population of mature adults, enabling them to age productively, securely, and in optimal health.

John Egan, writing for Culturemap.com (Austin), reports on new demographic data showing the continued uptick in older adults moving to Austin. His article, Austin's Population Just Keeps Getting Older Shows New Data, also mentions our Age-friendly Austin Plan, which was adopted by City Council in November 2016. [su_divider top="no" divider_color="#cfcfcf" link_color="#cfcfcf" size="1" margin="20"] Austin's Population Just Keeps Getting...

AustinUP is truly fortunate to have such an outstanding Board of Directors. Today, we are happy to announce some new roles and new faces.

Dr. Mark Carlson (Geriatrician and Founder/Director of Be Well MD) now serves as Chair. Cyndi Cummings (owner, Cummings Realty Associates and community advocate for older adults) is our new Vice Chair. Margo Weisz (Partner, City Lights Group and Project Director of the 2012-13 Mayor’s Task Force on Aging) is our Secretary/Treasurer. Angela Atwood, our former Chair, continues to serve on the Board.

We also welcome new Board members Charles Curry and Carl Angel.

The City of Austin Commission on Seniors serves as an advisory board to the City Council concerning the quality of life for senior citizens in the Austin area. This volunteer commission advises the Council on issues related to older adults in the Austin area; evaluates and recommends programs, policies, and practices that create a positive impact and reduce...

As the year winds down, I am feeling grateful to everyone in our AustinUP online community for your interest and enthusiasm. But today, I will kindly request a little more of you. I am asking for your financial support of our work to shape the future of aging in Austin. Now is the time. Your tax-deductible contribution to this movement is critical.

Looking back on 2016, I am proud to say that AustinUP has made great strides and accomplishments:

  • Helped create and promote the Age-friendly Austin Action Plan– and worked with the Mayor and City Council to get it adopted
  • Hosted the first-ever 55+ in ATX Job & Volunteer Fair
  • Helped create and expand a network of Austin technology innovators, resources and investors working in the aging space
  • Served as fiscal agent and “incubator” for the newly formed Austin LGBT Coalition on Aging
  • Connected with local universities, researchers and students to promote research related to aging
  • Hosted community focus groups on a range of topics, including “What Makes a Business Age-friendly?” and “What Makes a Neighborhood Age-friendly?”

Thanks to reporter Casey Claiborne, Fox News 7, for this fun story! It's fair to say Preston Tyree is a cycling fanatic. He's a bike advocate and very involved in the community. The 72-year-old isn't slowing down anytime soon. In fact he's helping senior citizens who need a lift...

Austin City Council Adopts Age-friendly Austin Plan;
Promotes Age-friendly Presentation as Part of Imagine Austin Speaker Series

(Wednesday, November 16, 2016) – The Austin City Council, at its November 3 meeting, voted to adopt the Age-friendly Austin Plan and actively promote and work toward Austin becoming more age-friendly in support of our city’s current and future older adults.

A working group of community members created by Austin’s Commission on Seniors developed the Age-friendly Austin Plan. Sally Van Sickle, who represents District 9 on the Commission on Seniors, said, “Austin has always been considered a young, vibrant and innovative city. Approval of this Age-friendly Austin Plan will help us maintain that reputation as vibrant and innovative even as our median age moves upward.”

We are proud and excited to share KUT's news coverage of the November 3rd vote re: the Age-friendly Austin Plan. Special thanks to Councilmembers Kitchen, Poole, and Casar, Mayor Pro Tem Tovo and Mayor Adler for their support. Excerpt from KUT's article, "Austin Adopts Plan To Be More "Age-Friendly": ...

Had to share this document, entitled The Future of Aging: Realizing the Potential of Longevity, here on our website. It was produced by the Milken Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank. It is one of the best resources for anyone interested in age-progressive thought leadership and new attitudes about aging. Plus it features a piece written by Texas' own Henry Cisneros. We find...