The "Age-friendly NYC" sticker on windows indicates those stores "welcome the business of older adults and are striving to better serve their needs," according to a statement from the coalition. But based on a series of community discussions with older adults about what they need in their neighborhood, the foremost goal of the Age-friendly Business coalition initially is to provide chairs for older people (and people of all ages) to rest while shopping, while waiting on line or waiting for a service.
"I am so proud that the small businesses in our neighborhood listened to the older adults of the community and are taking these steps to make their businesses age-friendly," said City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito in a statement. "Having a chair can make a world of difference -- to a business's bottom line and to an older adult out in the community."
"Many businesses told us that older adults are their most loyal customer base and that they are doing many things to accommodate them as a part of good customer service," said Dorian Block of NYAM. "Businesses are putting their stock on lower shelves, offering delivery services and making their font size larger on printed materials to better serve older customers. At the same time businesses are hungry to learn about how they can make no or low cost changes to their store, office or restaurant to keep older adults shopping and coming to their businesses."
East Harlem is the first neighborhood to receive Age-friendly stickers and educational materials, but they will be given out over the next few months across the city.