Rebecca Delphia, Senior Advisor, AARP Livable Communities
NADO Annual Training Conference
October 18, 2022
Planning Ahead for Aging:
Age-Friendly Communities and Regions

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AARP LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
WELCOME!

THE WHY

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Our Goal
AARP LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
AARP Livable
Communities seeks to
support state and local
leaders to ensure that
they are designing
communities that work
for people of all ages
by addressing:
“
”
By 2034,
there will be
more people
over 65 than
under 18 –
for the first
time ever.

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Are there adequate housing options
that are affordable, accessible and
varied in type?
Are there opportunities for civic
and social engagement through
volunteerism, work, etc?
Is there adequate, safe and
accessible public space?
Are there ways to remain mobile
once driving is no longer an
option?
Are there adequate housing options
that are affordable, accessible and
varied in type?
Is there adequate, safe and
accessible public space?
Are there ways to remain mobile
once driving is no longer an
option?
Are there opportunities for civic
and social engagement through
volunteerism, work, etc?

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Are there adequate housing options
that are affordable, accessible and
varied in type?
Are there opportunities for civic
and social engagement through
volunteerism, work, etc?
Is there adequate, safe and
accessible public space?
Are there ways to remain mobile
once driving is no longer an
option?
Older adults outlive their ability to
drive between 7-10 years.
Older adults represent
disproportionate share of
pedestrian fatalities in 35 states.
Isolation and loneliness present
health risks equivalent to
smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Isolation is associated with a
50% percent increased risk of
dementia.
Older adults represent more than
20% of population,
but only 4% of park users.
Parks serving people of color are
half the size (and 5x as crowded),
which increases temps. Older
adults represent a disproportionate
share of heat-related deaths.
Over half of all HH are 1- or 2-persons,
but more than 85% of housing stock is 2,
3, 4 or more bedrooms.
The share of 65+ renters who are
rent-burdened increased from
43% in 2001 to 50% in 2015.
Less than 1% of US homes are built
with universal design in mind.

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8 IN 10
people 50+ want to stay in
their community as they age
People Want to Stay
Where They Live
AARP LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
| Pictured: 2020 Georgia Grantee - Bike Walk Macon
Source: AARP Home and Community Preferences Survey

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| Pictured: 2018 New Mexico Grantee - South Valley MainStreet
If you create a
community that’s
great for older adults,
you create a
community that’s
great for everyone

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Housing
AARP LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
Housing needs change as we
age, but it’s possible for our
homes and communities to
be livable for people of all
ages and life stages.

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Transportation
AARP LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
Transportation is a vital link
that connects people to their
communities. Older adults
need a variety of convenient
and safe transportation
options that support their
independence.

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Parks and Public Spaces
AARP LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
Public spaces bring a sense
of community and social
belonging. They belong to
everyone.

THE HOW

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On the Ground in Every State
AARP LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
… and 43
other states
and
territories

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More than 700 communities have committed to create a
more age-friendly future -- plus 9 states and 1 US territory
AARP Network of Age-Friendly States & Communities
AARP LIVABLE COMMUNITIES

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Spotlight: RDOs and Age-Friendly Communities
AARP LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
| Pictured: Age-Friendly Ithaca and
Tompkins County, NY Action Plan
| Pictured: Age-Friendly Columbus, Ohio
Action Plan
| Pictured: Age-Friendly Denver,
Colorado Action Plan
| Pictured: River Valley Regional
Commission I Age-Friendly Franklin
County & North Quabbin I Miami Valley
Regional Planning Commission

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AARP Community
Challenge
| Pictured: 2020 Texas Grantee - Walk Austin
A grant program to make
communities more livable
for people of all ages with
tangible improvements that
jump-start long-term change

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Spotlight: RDOs and Community Challenge Grantees
AARP LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
| Pictured: 2021 New Mexico Grantee –
Mid-Region Council of Governments I
Healthy Here Initiative
| Pictured: 2021 Oklahoma Grantee –
Chickasha Economic Development
Council
| Pictured: 2021 Florida Grantee – City of
Deerfield Beach I Broward Metropolitan
Planning Organization
| Pictured: 2020 Oklahoma Grantee – Indian
Nations Council of Governments I Tulsa Bike
Share

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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 (Feb. 24, 2021) - Placemaking During a Pandemic

2022 AARP Livability Index
Great Neighborhoods for All Ages
Housing
Neighborhood
Transportation
Environment
Health
Opportunity
Engagement
October 14, 2022
AARP PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE| AARP.ORG/PPI© 2022 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

About the AARP Livability Index
Why was the Index created?
VISION
Communities support
residents across the
lifespan in realizing their
fullest potential and
ability to age in place.
GOAL
Provide residents and
community leaders with
an interactive, online
tool that enables them to
visualize their
performance against key
indicators of livability.
MAIN OBJECTIVES
• State and local changes
in policy, planning, and
investment
• Inform key stakeholders
• Community resident
participation
• Help communities
become more livable for
residents of all ages
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AARP PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE | AARP.ORG/PPI © 2022 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED October 14, 2022

HOUSING
• Housing
accessibility
• Housing options
• Housing
affordability
NEIGHBORHOOD
• Proximity to destinations
• Mixed-use
neighborhoods
• Compact neighborhoods
• Personal safety
• Neighborhood quality
TRANSPORTATION
• Convenient
transportation options
• Transportation costs
• Safe streets
• Accessible system design
ENVIRONMENT
• Water quality
• Air quality
• Resilience
• Energy efficiency
HEALTH
• Healthy behaviors
• Access to health care
• Quality of health care
ENGAGEMENT
• Internet access
• Civic engagement
• Social engagement
• Equal rights
OPPORTUNITY
• Equal opportunity
• Economic opportunity
• Education
• Multi-generational communities
• Local fiscal health
2022 AARP Livability Index
Categories and attributes
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AARP | AARP.ORG© 2022 AARP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED October 14, 2022

WHAT WE CAN DO

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Engage older adults
– it’s good for the
community
| Pictured: 2018 Virginia Grantee - Greater Richmond Age Wave Coalition

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Take quick action to
spark momentum for
long-term change
| Pictured: 2018 Kentucky Grantee – Heart of Danville

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Seize the moment
and the opportunities
at hand
| Pictured: 2019 Alabama Grantee – Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts
Center

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We all have a part to
play and we need
everyone on deck
| Pictured: 2020 California Grantee – Los Angeles River State Park
Partners

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AARP LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
THANK YOU!

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AARP Livable Communities
For more information:
aarp.org/livable | @AARPlivable | livable@aarp.org
Rebecca Delphia | rdelphia@aarp.org