MINNEAPOLIS NAMED “AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY” BY AARP

St. Paul -- AARP announced today that the City of Minneapolis has been officially designated an Age Friendly Community in the AARP Network of Age Friendly Communities.

The network helps participating communities become great places for people of all ages by adopting features such as safe, walkable streets; better housing and transportation options; access to key services;

and opportunities for residents to participate in civic and community activities. There are 68 communities with the designation in the U.S., with Minneapolis being the first in Minnesota.

“Well-designed, livable communities promote wellbeing, sustain economic growth, and make for happier, healthier residents — of all ages,” said AARP Minnesota State Director Will Phillips. “By becoming part of the network, Minneapolis is recognizing the value of older residents and making a commitment to do even more to improve livability in the city and involve older residents in the process.”

“Part of what makes Minneapolis such a vibrant place to live and work is that we have active residents of all ages. Minneapolitans are living longer and healthier lives and as a result the desire for people to remain in their communities is growing which is wonderful,” said Mayor Betsy Hodges. “As we transform into a 21st century city we must grow what makes us great, and that includes being a viable living space for all generations.”

The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities targets improvements in eight domains that influence the health and quality of life of older adults. Communities participating in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities commit to improving their age-friendliness though an ongoing cycle of improvement and with the involvement of older residents.

Since 2013, Minneapolis has worked through an existing aging plan called “Minneapolis for a Lifetime” to make the city a premier location for older residents. That strategy has sought out Minneapolis residents including diverse and non-English speaking older adults to inform and give input into all phases of this strategy’s development. Currently, the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Aging continues the charge of planning the 2016-2017 action steps, and will continue to reach out to all residents for input into these action steps.

“Minneapolis has a tremendous amount to offer residents no matter the season, or temperature. We are focused on the well-being of our residents and strive to ensure that our natural and built spaces work together to create a highly livable and enjoyable environment,” said Mayor Hodges.

As of the 2010 census, Minneapolis had 92,000 people age 50 and older. AARP has created an online map detailing the livability scores of each community in the nation. Find it at: livabilityindex.aarp.org

###