AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities�
Jane King, AARP Virginia, Community Ambassador
America is aging
PERCENT OF POPULATION AGE 65+
Source: US Census
Two-thirds (67%) of all adults — and 79% of those 50-plus — want to stay in their current communities. Adults primarily value communities that foster good health, promote street safety, and provide good opportunities for community engagement and social interaction.
High numbers of Americans want “forever homes” — to stay in their current homes as they age. The percentage is even higher for adults age 50-plus, with more than three-quarters wanting to remain in their home as they age. But more aging-in-place modifications and technology are needed to make that possible.
People want to stay in their homes
and communities…
Source: AARP Home and Community preferences Survey 11/21
What is the first thing that comes to mind �when you hear the term, “Age-Friendly”?
An Age-Friendly Community is…
…one where a community’s elected leadership has made a commitment to actively work with residents and local advocates to make their town, city, or county an age-friendly place to live through enrollment in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities!
5
conducting a community needs assessment
developing an action and evaluation plan
implementing and assessing the plan’s impact
the voice of older residents in all stages of planning and implementation
All communities seeking to enroll in the AARP age-friendly network are required to submit a membership application and commit to a 5-year process of improvement which includes:
AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities (NAFSC)
There are currently 732 communities, 9 states and 1 territory enrolled (updated 1.31.23)
7
Serves as an organizing structure for making community improvements
Fosters partnerships among community groups and local stakeholders
Enables changes that benefit people of all ages
Provides resources for identifying and assessing community needs
Access to technical assistance and expert-led webinars
Access to a national network of over 700 communities enrolled in the network
Support and best practice materials from AARP
Membership in the network:
Benefits of Enrolling
Help for local leaders to identify and understand community needs
Membership provides a community with:
68%�Advocated for Policy Change
Age-friendly initiatives are catalyzing local policy change. Nearly 2:3 age-friendly communities reported that they had successfully advocated for changes in municipal or organizational policy.
86% �Overcame Barriers to Age-Friendly Change
The NAFSC 5-year program cycle and framework is setting communities up for success. By applying the age-friendly programmatic framework, respondents reported overcoming barriers to improve the community for older residents.
Impact of Joining
AARP NAFSC 2022 Member Survey
The 8 Domains of Livability
is the framework used by states and communities enrolled in the network to organize and prioritize their work to become more livable for both older residents and people of all ages.
The availability and quality of these community features impact the well-being of older adults.
The 8 Domains of Livability
AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
The availability and quality of these community features impact the well-being of older adults—and help make communities more livable for people of all ages.
Outdoor Spaces & Buildings
Transportation
Civic Engagement & Employment
Communication & Information
Respect & Social Inclusion
Social Participation
Health & Community Svcs.
Housing
11
AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
Source: AARP Home and Community preferences Survey 11/21
People need public places to gather — indoors and out. Green spaces, seating and accessible buildings (elevators, zero-step entrances, staircases with railings) can be used and enjoyed by people of all ages
Nearly three-quarters of adults (73%) say it is important to have safe, well-lit parks that give residents places to gather and interact with friends.
We spend more time in our homes than anywhere else, so housing costs, choices, and accessibility are critical. Great communities provide housing opportunities for people of all ages, incomes, and abilities.
More than three-quarters of adults ages 50 and older want to stay in their homes (77%) and communities (79%) as they age.
AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
Source: AARP Home and Community preferences Survey 11/21
AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
Driving shouldn’t be the only way to get around. Pedestrians need sidewalks and safe, crossable streets. Moving easily and safely from one place to another vastly improves quality of life.
Well-maintained, accessible and safe streets are reported as being among the most important community features for transportation.
Source: AARP Home and Community preferences Survey 11/21
AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
Participating in social activities makes people feel as if they matter to a community, which provides a sense of meaning and belonging. Social activities can help relieve the angst of perceived social isolation.
Top predictors of loneliness: size and diversity of an individual’s social network and being physically isolated. Other contributing factors include age, depression, urbanicity, anxiety and overall health
Source: Loneliness and Social Connections: A National Survey of Adults 45 and Older, 2018
Resources:
Engaging the Community Creates Community
Age-Friendly and Accessible Event Guide (Cleveland, OH)
Community Guide to Accessible Events and Meetings (Seattle, WA)
AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
Everyone wants to feel valued. Socially inclusive gatherings and activities are a great way for people to learn from one another, honor what each has to offer and, at the same time, feel good about themselves.
A strong majority (71%) of adults ages 50+ believe it’s important for their community to treat all residents equally regardless of race, gender, age, ethnic background, sexual orientation, or other differences.
Source: AARP Home and Community preferences Survey 11/21
AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
Why does work need to be an all or nothing experience? An age-friendly community encourages older people to be actively engaged in community life and has opportunities for residents to work for pay or volunteer their skills.
Holding a perception that one can make a difference on problems that exist in their community is a top predictor of 50+ civic engagement.
Source: Connecting, Serving, and Giving: Civic Engagement Among Mid-Life and Older Adults, 2019
AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
Age-friendly communities recognize that information needs to be shared through a variety of methods since not everyone is tech-savvy, and not everyone has a smartphone or home-based access to the internet.
76% of adults age 50-plus place high importance on having access to reliable and affordable in-home high-speed Internet.
Source: AARP Home and Community preferences Survey 11/21
AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
Community support is strongly connected to good health and well-being throughout life, alongside accessible and affordable health care services, which are vital for maintaining health and independence.
U.S. adults age 45+ think many healthcare issues are important: staying mentally sharp (96%), staying physically healthy (92%), having adequate health insurance coverage (91%)
Source: Vital Voices: Issues that impact U.S. Adults Age 45 and Older; 9/2021
AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
Community planning plays a vital role in reducing the long-term risks to life and property from natural hazards such as hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, and floods.
Adults aged 65 and older are a growing demographic who are often disproportionately impacted by severe weather.
Source: AARP Disaster Resilience Toolkit
How Age-Friendly do you think your community is?��Take a self-assessment. Rank your community on a scale of�1-10 on each of the domains of livability:
Domain | Score |
Housing | |
Outdoor Spaces and Buildings | |
Transportation | |
Civic Participation/Employment Opportunities | |
Communication and Information | |
Respect and Social Inclusion | |
Social Participation | |
Health Services and Community Supports | |
|
Resources
AARP LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
Livable Communities Landing Page: �aarp.org/livable
Livable Communities Newsletter: �aarp.org/livable-newsletter
Livable Communities Map: �livablemap.aarp.org
Community Challenge Grant Program: �aarp.org/communitychallenge
20+ Free Publications: �aarp.org/livablelibrary
Tools to help local leaders
| Pictured: Livable Newsletter (Dec. 14, 2022)
22