Livable Communities

Boston —Today, AARP announced the awardees for its 2018 AARP Community Challenge grant program, including three recipients right here in Massachusetts. A total of $1.3 million will be distributed to fund 129 “quick action” projects across the country, helping communities make immediate improvements and jumpstart long-term progress to support residents of all ages. Nearly 1,600 applications were received from non-profits and government entities for the program, now in its second year. Each of the projects, which must be completed by November 5, is designed to achieve on one or more of the following outcomes:

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the City of Boston's Commission on Affairs of the Elderly today launched their Age and Dementia-Friendly Business designation, a new pilot program that encourages local businesses to make their spaces and services more inclusive for people of all ages. Today's announcement was held at Local 338 Bagels and Coffee in West Roxbury, one of nine organizations that received the designation today, which includes certificates and decals to mark their business as Age and Dementia-Friendly.

Commitment to meet AARP, WHO guidelines will help residents of all ages

Here in Massachusetts, we are working with local leaders, volunteers and others to help make our communities more livable and age-friendly. Governor Charlie Baker recently announced that Massachusetts has joined the network of AARP Age-Friendly States and the World Health Organization Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities. AARP praised Governor Baker for his leadership on this issue of importance to Bay State residents of all ages. Massachusetts is only the second state in the nation to take such action after New York enrolled with AARP to become an age friendly state in 2017.

AARP Massachusetts is pleased to announce two local recipients of the AARP Community Challenge grant program, which aims to help create change and improve quality of life at the community level.

By Jill Gambon

By Jill Gambon

As they age, most people want to remain living in their homes for as long as they can. But will their homes safely age along with them?

In a brief ceremony today on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins, author of " Disrupt Aging," officially welcomed Martha's Vineyard to the The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, an affiliate of the World Health Organization’s Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities.

How can Boston become a more age-friendly city? It's a question that was posed to Boston residents last year, during neighborhood-based Listening Sessions and through a major online survey.