On November 17, 2008, many stakeholders gathered at the Miami-Dade County Commission Chambers to learn about and discuss the transportation and mobility options available to seniors in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties—the subject and location were an ideal match. Increasing Transportation and Mobility Options: Creating Livable Miami-Dade & Monroe Counties for All Ages continues the series of Aging in Place workshops that Partners for Livable Communities and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging have hosted across the country with support from the MetLife Foundation.

The Alliance for Aging, located in Miami and the local host for the workshop, is charged with the responsibility of providing services and information for the large population of older residents in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. Very high on its list of priorities is assuring that older adults can remain in their communities with dignity and choice as long as possible and providing transportation options helps them do this.

In choosing mobility options as the focus of the Miami workshop, the Alliance for Aging focused on a key test of the livability of communities.Communities that provide a range of transportation options that serve all residents, from the very young to the very old, meet that test. Livable communities offer the transportation choices that make it possible for people of all ages to participate in the life of their communities. The optimum range of mobility options can connect those who cannot or do not drive or have mobility limitations to so much that is important in life, from friends and family to stores, hospitals, houses of worship, theaters and much more.

Reflecting the widespread concern for developing mobility solutions for seniors in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, the attendees at the workshop came from hospitals, schools of medicine, the state legislature, the mayor’s office, social service programs, universities, planning departments and many other organizations. They all shared the Alliance for Aging’s interest in making sure that Miami area seniors are as mobile as possible.

To help set the stage for the discussion of mobility options, the “Backgrounder: Snapshot of the Region” that follows (page 3) provides demographic and mobility-related information about the Miami area.

"Mobility Options for Seniors: A Challenge for Every Community in the Nation” on (page 4) is an overview of the problems and solutions discussed during the keynote and panel presentations at the Miami meeting. This section also includes information on national organizations and agencies that have found ways to enhance the mobility options of seniors.

The section, “Aging Friendly Innovations: Best Practices” on (page 24), describes programs that are recognized as breaking new ground in overcoming obstacles to mobility for seniors—and for everyone. This section is followed by a listing of web links that can be invaluable resources for those confronting the need for improved mobility options in their own communities. Download the report> (3.18 MB)