Creating an age-friendly state for us
To the editor:
There is great opportunity in the fact that Maine, with a median age of 43, is the oldest state. Nationwide, the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities helps participating communities become great places for all ages by adopting such features as safe, walkable streets; better housing and transportation options; access to key services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community activities. Here in Maine, we are dedicated to advancing well-designed, livable communities to promote health and sustain economic growth. Ultimately, we believe these efforts will result in happier, healthier residents — of all ages.
In support of this work, AARP Maine just launched the Age-Friendly Maine Facebook page to support these initiatives. The Age-Friendly Maine page promotes events, shares information about age-friendly communities and economic development, and — most importantly! — provides a platform for age-friendly communities to learn from each other, brag about successes, share photos, and get ideas to overcome barriers. From Eastport to Kennebunk, towns are getting involved. Mainers who “like” Age-Friendly Maine will see the latest resources we offer age-friendly communities and will get the latest updates about age-friendly events.
Municipalities throughout Maine — large and small — recognize that age-friendly communities are better places for all ages. The question is where to start. Age-Friendly Maine features resources to help make your age-friendly work easier. Communities will share their low-cost and no-cost solutions for making age-friendly changes so we’ll all have a chance to learn as we go.
Age-friendly initiatives can make a city or town a more attractive and welcoming environment for every resident. We hope you will consider Age-Friendly Maine a great place to begin to make connections with other communities, to share your ideas and to ask questions. We need your help to make the new page a community-learning opportunity! Let’s work together to enhance communities across Maine for residents of all ages.
Peter Morelli
AARP Maine