Public Invited to Age-Friendly Greater Des Moines Annual Meeting Dec. 12

Des Moines area residents are invited to attend the Second Report to the Community of the Greater Des Moines Age-Friendly Community ‘Great Places for All Ages’ initiative on Friday, Dec. 12, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Des Moines University Olsen Medical Education Center, 3200 Grand Ave.

Des Moines Age Friendly Community leaders Dr. Yogesh Shah of Des Moines University, Joel Olah of Aging Resources of Central Iowa and Kent Sovern of AARP Iowa will lead an overview of the programs, projects and progress of Des Moines Age Friendly City committee and collaborative partners.

Keynote speaker Washington, D.C.-based Jana Lynott, an AARP Senior Strategic Policy Advisor, will present research on the business case for making communities more “livable.” Her remarks focus on how investment in livable communities priorities has resulted in higher tax revenues, greater economic output, new businesses and jobs, and higher property values for communities across the country.

In 2011, Des Moines became the third U.S. city (following Portland, Ore., and New York City) to join the World Health Organization’s International Network of Age Friendly Cities program, a five-year initiative for communities to earn the WHO designation, “Age Friendly Community.” The initiative is being led by The City of Des Moines in partnership with Des Moines University, Aging Resources of Central Iowa and AARP Iowa.

The event includes a light continental breakfast and is free and open to interested citizens, but advance reservations are requested.  Registration is on line at https://aarp.cvent.com/AFC2014.  Information on directions to and free parking at the Olsen Medical Education Center is at http://www.dmu.edu/about/campus/