The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities (AARP-NAFC) encourages towns and cities to make changes in the social and physical environments that will make our communities better places to live for people of all ages. Communities, large and small, that make a commitment to including an aging lens in community planning and development are accepted into the AARP-Network of Age-Friendly Communities. The model emphasizes the importance of including the voices of older adults while planning for community-level changes in eight broad areas that affect the health and well-being of older residents.
The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities defines an age friendly community as one that has housing and transportation options to support the changing needs of older residents, where older adults are respected and are included in the everyday life of the community, and that provides opportunities for older residents to volunteer, exercise, enjoy recreational opportunities and learn new skills.
What older adults need to age at home and in community, is what younger residents want. When older residents are encouraged to volunteer at the Snack Shack so that parents can focus on the needs of their young soccer players, everyone benefits. The wide, level park paths that encourage someone using a walker to enjoy the outdoors are also a benefit to couples strolling hand in hand, to someone walking a dog, and to a young parent teaching a toddler to ride a bike.
Communities in all stages of age-friendly community development are eligible to receive technical support and information about resources and funding opportunities.
Learn more about the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities. The Age-Friendly Maine Facebook page features communities and resources in Maine. To learn more about members of the AARP-NAFC in northern New England, go to our webinar and read the community profiles of member communities.