AARP Florida Congratulates Sarasota County on 10 Years as an Age-Friendly Community

AARP Florida proudly congratulates Sarasota County on reaching a major milestone: 10 years of dedication as an Age-Friendly Community. This decade-long commitment reflects the county’s continued leadership in creating inclusive, livable environments that support healthy aging and enhance the quality of life for residents of all ages.

The AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities provides cities, towns, counties and states with the resources to become more age-friendly by tapping into national and global research, planning models and best practices. Membership in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities means that a community’s elected leadership has made a commitment to actively work with residents and local advocates to make their town, city, county or state an age-friendly place to live.

“This milestone is very exciting for our aging population,” explains Kimberly Kutch, Human Services Manager in Sarasota County. “The isolation that older residents feel when they don't have the ability to do things is devastating, and this county-wide plan has enhanced their ability to get out in their community.”

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Suncoast Remake Learning Days

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Brain Health and Dementia Resources

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Community Programming

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Universal Design Home Remodeling

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Universal Design Home Remodeling

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"A is for Aging" Book Program

Sarasota County joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in 2015 and, over the past decade, has developed programs and partnerships aimed at improving housing, transportation, health services, quality of life, and much more for their residents. Some highlights include:

• Becoming the first local health department in the nation to be recognized as an Age-Friendly Public Health System by the Florida Department of Health, a major milestone in supporting older adults.

• Sarasota County Health and Human Services is one of only six departments nationwide to receive the Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map Strategist Grant, which funds training on brain health and supports the creation of a comprehensive Healthy Brain Across the Lifespan Guide.

• Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Sarasota campus was designated an Age-Friendly Health System in 2019, followed by the Venice campus in 2023. In 2024, its emergency care centers earned Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA). The hospital has also experienced significant growth, opening the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, the Cornell Behavioral Health Pavilion, SMH Venice Hospital, and the SMH Health Care Center & ER in North Port.

• The Ringling Trail Complete Street Project: Enhanced multimodal access by adding bike lanes throughout the downtown Sarasota corridor. Accessibility has also been prioritized through the introduction of the Eco-Rover beach wheelchair, as well as mobility mats and beach wheelchairs, all available for free public use.

• Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) has been rebranded as Breeze: In collaboration with 14 local organizations, a partnership campaign was launched to evaluate and improve regional transit options. The City of Sarasota also debuted the Bay Runner trolley system, providing free rides between downtown and popular beach, shopping, and dining destinations.

• Sarasota County Libraries: Integrated Active Older Adult Living into their strategic plan and trained staff using the Dementia Care and Cure Initiative curriculum, fostering a more dementia-friendly community. They also championed an “A is for Aging” book program.

“Sarasota County is one of only a few Age-Friendly communities in Florida to successfully complete a 10-year plan,” said Laura Streed, Director of State & Community Engagement at AARP Florida. “We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and remain committed to supporting them with the resources they need to continue reaching their goals.”

For more information on AARP Florida’s Livable Communities work and the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, visit AARP.org/FLLivable.