Calvert County Joins AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
As the latest community to sign on to the network and complete an intensive two-year study and planning project, Calvert County’s civic leaders will have access to global resources and information on age-friendly best practices, models of assessment and implementation, and the experiences of towns and cities around the world.
Calvert County is the ninth jurisdiction in Maryland to join the Age-Friendly Network, along with Baltimore, Carroll, Howard and Montgomery Counties, as well as the cities of College Park, Frederick, Hyattsville and Salisbury. Nationwide, nine states, one territory and 702 communities have received the Age-Friendly designation from AARP.
The network helps participating communities become great places for people of all ages by adopting features such as safe, walkable streets; better housing and transportation options; access to key services; and opportunities for residents to participate in civic and community activities.
“Well-designed, livable communities promote wellbeing, sustain economic growth, and make for happier, healthier residents — of all ages,” said AARP Maryland State President Jim Campbell. “By becoming part of the network, Calvert County is making a commitment to do even more to improve livability in the county and involve older residents in the process."
The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities targets improvements in eight domains that influence the health and quality of life for all as we age. Communities participating in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities commit to improving their livability through an assessment of needs, development of an action plan, implementation of new projects and programs, and ongoing assessment – all with the involvement of older residents. The eight areas of focus for the age-friendly process are:
- Outdoor spaces and buildings
- Transportation
- Housing
- Social participation
- Respect and social inclusion
- Civic participation and employment
- Communication and information
- Community support and health services
Affiliated with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities®, the AARP network helps cities and towns to prepare for two significant ongoing trends: rapid population aging and increasing urbanization.
The need for communities to recognize and incorporate the needs of citizens of all ages cannot be understated. In just 8 years -- by 2030 -- all 77 million baby boomers will be 65-plus. By 2025, 1 in 5 drivers will be over the age of 65. The fastest growing age groups are 85-plus and 100-plus. In fact, AARP has more than 65,000 members over the age of 100.
Learn more at AARP.org/agefriendly and AARP.org/livable.
AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.
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