Livable Communities

By Thomas Korosec

AARP Texas is teaming up with residents of the Linwood neighborhood of Fort Worth, the City of Fort Worth, and others to create a “Better Block” demonstration project.

To promote age-friendly, livable communities, AARP Texas is hosting gardening classes across the state.

As members of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, Austin and Fort Worth have developed strategic plans to prepare for the needs of an aging population.

Austin is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the nation, with a population of more than 930,000. Like other Texas cities, it’s car-focused, which means frequently long commutes and roadway congestion.

On Thursday evening, Nov. 17, AARP Texas will host a public forum in Austin featuring local and national experts discussing strategies for Texas communities to become even more accessible, comfortable and safe for people of all ages.

Austin enjoys a reputation as a young city. It’s also among the fastest-growing areas for people 55 and older. City leaders are taking the growth trend seriously. On Thursday, the Austin City Council approved a plan to help people “age in place.”

With people staying healthy and active longer, communities have to adapt. There’ll be need for more safe, walkable streets, better housing and transportation options, and opportunities for civic engagement. The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities gives cities guidance on how to reach their goals in becoming great places for people of all ages.

AARP Texas is proud to announce and welcome Melodía Gutiérrez to the Association’s Dallas-Fort Worth team. Gutiérrez, an AARP associate state director of outreach and advocacy, is leading AARP’s work in Fort Worth and surrounding areas.

For her exceptional accomplishments in Fort Worth, AARP’s Carmel Perez Snyder has been named the 2016 recipient of the Association’s Maureen McKoy Award for Excellence in Service.