Conference to Explore Age-Friendly Communities

Age-Friendly Minnesota, a statewide collaborative focused on making communities more inclusive and accessible to older adults, hosed its inaugural three-day conference on Wednesday, Sept. 27.

The free conference featureed virtual and in-person sessions on topics such as economic development, affordable housing options, transportation, designing public spaces and more.

Virtual sessions ran from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 27 and Sept. 28. On Friday, Sept. 29, sessions were held in person from 9 a.m. to noon at multiple locations around the state, including St. Paul.

Friday’s sessions was small group discussions during which participants can discuss and offer input on local needs related to Age-Friendly Minnesota’s priorities: health care and long-term care, social connections, emergency preparedness and economic development.

“Our state is aging, and while this can present challenges, there is also a lot of opportunity,” says Cathy McLeer, AARP Minnesota state director. The event will “help shape the future of aging in our state.”

—Michelle Cerulli McAdams