Age Friendly Iowa

An age-friendly community is a livable community for people of all ages.

People of all ages benefit from the adoption of policies and programs that make neighborhoods walkable, feature transportation options, enable access to key services, provide opportunities to participate in community activities, and support housing that’s affordable and adaptable. Well-designed, age-friendly communities foster economic growth and make for happier, healthier residents of all ages.

The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities encourages states, cities, towns and rural areas to prepare for the rapid aging of the U.S. population by paying increased attention to the environmental, economic and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults. Launched in April 2012, the network operates under the auspices of the World Health Organization’s Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Program.

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Communities seeking to enroll in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities are required to submit a Membership Application, as well as a Letter of Commitment, which must be signed by the jurisdiction’s highest elected official. (For example, the governor, the mayor, the county executive.)

Communities with council or commission forms of government typically pass a Resolution or even a Proclamation in support of membership in the network.

Information about the membership application and required materials.

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AUGUST 2021: AARP Iowa Announces Iowa Winners of the 2021 Community Challenge Grant
AARP Iowa announced seven Iowa organizations will receive 2021 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest group of grantees to date with $3.2 million awarded among 244 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects to promote livable communities by improving housing, transportation, public spaces, civic engagement, and connection with family, friends, and neighbors with an emphasis on the needs of the 50-plus.

• City of Clarion:  A visually appealing pocket park will be constructed within the City's central business district.
• City of Estherville: Intergenerational swings will be installed at parks around the City.
• Des Moines Historical Society – Waveland Trolley Loop Project: An accessible, walkable park will be created from a vacant, long-neglected site.
• Stanton Community Foundation: Swedish-themed mile markers will be installed along the Stanton Greenbelt Trail.
• City of Manning: This project will purchase display cases in order to allow cultural items of significance to be displayed throughout the community.
• Golden Hills RC&D (Malvern, IA): This project will improve two important public corridors within the community - the Wabash Trace entryway and the 'Art Alley'.
• Lake Country Cyclists (Johnston, IA): This project will provide wayfinding signs, clearly marking our bike routes and trails.

JULY 2021: AARP Announces 2021 Community Challenge Grant Winners Nationwide
For the fifth annual AARP Community Challenge, AARP received more than 3,500 applications from nonprofits and government entities, resulting in a highly competitive selection process.  And the Winners Are ...

APRIL 2021: AARP Iowa and Home Inc, Announce Project to Address Affordable Housing
AARP Iowa and Home Inc. hosted a groundbreaking ceremony in Des Moines for a new demonstration home which will include an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).  The home and ADU will be built at 1007 Euclid Avenue on land donated by Invest DSM, a nonprofit created to provide holistic and innovative solutions that strengthen neighborhoods.

FEBRUARY 2021: AARP Launches 2021 Community Challenge Grant Applications
The application period is now closed. For an overview of our annual quick-action grant program, follow this link.

FEBRUARY 2021: Livability Feature in Our CR Magazine

JANUARY 2021: AARP Iowa Releases Results of Marion Age-Friendly Survey
JANUARY 2021: Article About 2020 Community Challenge Grant Project
AUGUST 2020: Announcing 2020 Iowa Challenge Grant Recipients
JUNE 2020: AARP opens outdoor fitness park in Cedar Rapids
AUGUST 2019: 2019 Community Challenge Grants Awarded
JUNE 2019: Charles City Recognized for Age-Friendliness
APRIL 2019: AARP Iowa Releases Results of Cedar Rapids Age-Friendly Survey

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Announcement of Charles City Membership in Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities

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Age-Friendly Manning, Lighted Walkway supported in part by AARP Community Challenge Grant

Manning Chamber of Commerce

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©istockphoto.com/DenisTangneyJr

Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge

Des Moines, IA, USA - July 15, 2016: Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge over the Des Moines River at Principal River Walk

©istockphoto.com/gnagel

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• Cedar Rapids: Joined: 2019 | Population: 132,228 | Application | Letter | Resolution
• Charles City: Joined: 2019 | Population: 7,373 | Application | Letter
• Des Moines: Joined: 2012* | Population: 209,220 Survey | Action Plan | Slideshow | Year 5 Progress Report
• Manning: Joined: 2020 | Population: 1,500 | Application | Letter | Resolution
• Marion: Joined: 2019 | Population: 39,400 | Application | Letter
• Stanton: Joined: 2020 | Population: 687 | Application | Letter | Resolution

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AARP Livable Communities and AARP state offices work with local leaders and residents to help ensure that towns, cities and communities nationwide are livable for people of all ages. Toward achieving that goal, we create and manage programs, tool kits, how-to guides and a collection of easy-to-use and understand printed and online materials.


Contact us today to inquire about how we can assist you on your community's path to becoming more age-friendly.



More videos in the Age-Friendly Network Training

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