Hendersonville, NC, is striving to become more age-friendly

HENDERSONVILLE, NC — By 2030, one-in every-five people in the U.S. will be 65 or older. In just a few short years, there will be more North Carolinians ages 65 and older than those under age 18.

To better meet the needs of all ages, cities towns and rural areas are planning for this demographic change with the help of the AARP Network of Age Friendly States and Communities.

The city of Hendersonville, NC, is the 17th community in North Carolina and the 833rd nationwide to join the AARP Network. In 2023, the state of North Carolina also joined the Network and is developing a "Multisector Plan on Aging," to be released this summer that will help prioritize projects and direct resources.

AARP Associate State Director for the Mountain Region Rebecca Chaplin said, "The common thread among the enrolled communities and states is the belief that the places where we live are more livable, and better able to support people of all ages, when local leaders commit to improving the quality of life for the very young, the very old, and everyone in between."

She explained that AARP engages with elected officials, partner organizations and local leaders to guide communities through the age-friendly network’s assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation processes.

"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," Chaplin said.

Being part of the AARP Network can help Hendersonville build on the programs already intiated including the Walk Hendo Pedestrian Plan and the “Gen H” Comprehensive Plan. It will also help them with shared research, best practices, and planning models.

Exciting things are happening in Hendersonville and all across the state that are creating well-designed, age-friendly communities that foster economic growth and make for happier, healthier residents of all ages.