ARRP Welcomes Nashville to its Age-Friendly Network

Music City is an Age-Friendly City

There’s a new member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities and it’s music to our ears. AARP Tennessee is proud to welcome Nashville as an age-friendly city. 

“I am so pleased that Nashville has signed on to become an age-friendly community,” said AARP State Director Mia McNeil. “This commitment will make an impactful difference in the Nashville community.”

The AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities consists of more than 700 cities, towns and counties throughout the United States. By 2030, one of every five people in the U.S. will be 65 or older, and communities are making a commitment to serving the changing needs of their residents by becoming age-friendly. It’s not just for older adults - 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. Learn more about what it means to be an age-friendly community at AARP.org/AgeFriendly.

In Nashville, Metro Councilmember Nancy VanReese introduced a resolution to secure support for age-friendly initiatives across the Nashville-Davidson County metro area. One unanimous council vote later, a subsequent signature from Nashville Mayor John Cooper, and AARP officially welcomes Tennessee’s largest city to its Network of Age-Friendly Communities.

“There are a great number of age-friendly communities, including other big cities here in Tennessee like Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga, and it’s time that Nashville join that effort.”” said Councilmember Nancy VanReese. “My Mom said ‘Do something today that will matter tomorrow and all your tomorrows will matter’ and this is something that would mean a lot to her.”

Nashville joins 12 Tennessee cities and counties, and Fort Campbell, who have made the commitment to taking steps that empower and enable their residents to age-in-place. AARP research shows that more than 80% of people want to be able to age in their home, rather than in a long-term care facility.