Livable Communities

AARP Age-Friendly States and Communities leading to change

ASHEVILLE, NC -- With summer in full swing, you may be looking for ways to tiptoe back to normalcy after a tough year of COVID. You would probably prefer to continue staying outdoors as much as possible and avoid big crowds. Here is a sampling of possibilities from our partners around the Western North Carolina region, each chosen to highlight one of the eight domains of livability for residents of ages.

WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- Residents and visitors to Winston-Salem now have a new place to play, gather and exercise, thanks to the new AARP Sponsored Outdoor Fitness Park Organized by FitLot opening in Miller Park on Queen Street.

ASHEVILLE -- Broadway Street, in downtown Asheville, follows an ancient Native American trade route , so it is entirely fitting that a new kind of outdoor meeting place will be coming to this street in 2021. The Center for Craft is working in collaboration with members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (ECBI) to create a public art parklet “to preserve and advance the important craft legacy of western North Carolina.”

ASHEVILLE -- Accessory Dwelling Units — commonly known as backyard bungalows, garage apartments and so-called granny flats — are small homes that exist on the same property lot as a single-family residence. Not only are these housing options important for family caregivers who want their loved ones to live nearby, their popularity is growing in crowded urban areas where land is scarce and expensive.

AARP recognizes social isolation as a critical health issue for seniors. While staying at home and practicing social distancing to slow the spread of COVID, many seniors are finding themselves more isolated than ever before. That is why AARP North Carolina is focusing on some efforts being made to combat social isolation and break a "digital divide."

“Aging in place” is a popular concept among seniors these days. A 2018 AARP poll showed 3 in 4 older adults (50+) want to live at home as long as they possibly can. That’s great for people with homes, but what about homeless seniors, or homeowners threatened with foreclosure, or renters facing eviction?

AARP grants to help, cities, towns, and rural areas make improvements

What does “aging in place” mean to you? The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines it as "the ability to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level." AARP supports aging in place as one of eight domains that make a community age-friendly.

The NC Transit System is a vital link to keep our communities strong. Here is how the system was flexible to help the state respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.