Hernando Joins AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities

Jackson, MS – The City of Hernando has been accepted into the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities. The city was officially inducted at 10 a.m. Saturday at a ceremony at the Hernando Farmers Market, located at the DeSoto County Courthouse, 2535 Highway 51 South. The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities helps participating communities become great places for all ages by adopting such features as walkable streets, better housing and transportation options, access to key services and opportunities for residents to participate in community activities. Hernando is the 119th city to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, which was established in 2012. It impacts more than 56 million people.

“Seniors have years of life experience and are valuable assets to the community,” said Hernando’s Mayor Chip Johnson. “Many are engaged in city activities, and are active volunteers and community leaders. As a community we need to take steps to become age-friendly and prepare for our aging population.”

Hernando’s acceptance into the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities shows the city’s commitment to continuing to build a community that is livability for all stages of life. With a population of approximately 15,000, Hernando has seen consistent growth. Hernando’s population grew 107% from 2000 to 2010, and 118% from 1990 to 2000. Approximately 17 percent of Hernando’s population is age 60 and older.

“AARP’s participation in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities advances the Association’s efforts to help people live easily and comfortably in their homes and communities as they age,” said AARP Mississippi State President Bettye Taylor, a resident of Hernando. “AARP encourages older adults to take an active role in their communities’ plans and ensures that their voices are heard.”

Related livability initiatives focus on areas such as housing, caregiving, community engagement, volunteering, social inclusion and combating isolation among older people. The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities is an affiliate of the World Health Organization’s Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, an international effort launched in 2006 to help cities prepare for their own and the world’s growing population of older adults and the parallel trend of urbanization.