Woodstock officials are seeking input from residents of all ages through an online survey on ideas and priorties for making the city more friendly and livable for seniors.
The survey is available on the home page of the city’s website, its Facebook page and at surveymonkey.com/r/WoodstockResidents, according to a news release issued Tuesday.
The project is part of the World Health Organization’s global effort to encourage infrastructure, services and modifications to programs to prepare cities for an increasing demographic of people 65 and older over the next decade, according to the release.
All other demographic groups will decrease in numbers, but the 65-plus demographic will increase by more than 30%, according to the city’s release, meaning by 2035, there will be more older people in the country than children for the first time in history.
“This brief survey will help us make Woodstock the best possible place to age in place,” the city’s project manager Terry Willcockson said in the release “We are, all of us, aging. Studies show most people want to stay in their own homes and communities, so we hope to identify aging needs and provide resources to keep Woodstock as vibrant and welcoming as possible for as long as possible.”
Northern Illinois University’s Center for Government Studies is conducting the survey to capture thoughts and ideas from both younger and older residents, the release said. Woodstock this year was awarded a $75,000 grant from the Community Foundation for McHenry County to develop an action plan based on community input to identify beneficial projects that would improve aging in Woodstock.
For more information, or to register for related focus group discussions, contact Willcockson at [email protected].
