AARP Network Bolsters Local Communities

Barb Williams of Seattle is always on the go, not letting two hip replacements slow her down. From walking in her First Hill neighborhood, to teaching tai chi, to volunteering at the Seattle Aquarium, Williams, now 80, knows the importance of getting — and staying — active. She’d like to see more older Washingtonians doing the same.

So she was excited to see that her state had joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, which aims to make neighborhoods more walkable, recreation more accessible and public transportation more convenient.

“To have both the city and the state aware of those kinds of needs is super helpful,” says Williams, noting that the city of Seattle is also a member of the network. “As one of these aging persons, I think there’s a misunderstanding of what options are available and how to take advantage of them."

In addition to Seattle, Renton, Puyallup, Tacoma and White Salmon are part of the network. Nationwide, more than 900 towns, cities and counties are members, as are 11 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. AARP launched the network in 2012 to help local, regional and state governments prepare for the nation’s changing demographics.

In May, Gov. Jay Inslee (D) announced that Washington was joining the network.

“These programs advance Washington’s commitment to inclusivity for all,” he said at the time.

The state said its decision to join the network was part of its commitment to ensuring that the voices of people 50 and older are included, and to promote policies and initiatives that enhance longevity, health and engagement.

Older, but still contributing

Williams retired at the age of 56 after a career that included stints as a statistics professor, as well as time at Hewlett-Packard and at a tech start-up. As a retiree, she’s continued that varied approach to life, through her teaching and volunteering.

“I’m very fortunate,” she says. “I had two hip replacements last year and I’m fully functional. No limits on my mobility.”

But even if someone is limited physically, Williams adds, their “brains still are working — they still have a lot to contribute.”

Susan Engels, office chief at the State Unit on Aging at the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, says Washington has the nation's second-highest life expectancy from birth, at 79.2 years (Hawaii is tops, at 80.7). Beyond that, the state’s percentage of older residents is expected to grow in the coming years.

Engels says the state for decades has had a plan for aging — something that was part of the federal Older Americans Act of 1965. But more was needed.

“It takes an entire infrastructure to really plan well and to work across departments and engage transportation and housing and employment,” she says.

The state’s decision to join the nonprofit USAging’s Dementia Friendly America network, as well as AARP’s network, “means that we have made a public commitment to recognizing and prioritizing the needs of older adults in Washington,” says Marci Getz, the director of healthy aging initiatives in the Washington State Department of Health.

What does being age-friendly look like on the ground? In Seattle, the Lifelong Recreation program within Seattle Parks and Recreation features Art in the Park, Memory Loss Zoo Walks and other programs for people with memory loss.

In Puyallup, the public library established an Aging Resources Center. Statewide, the Dementia Action Collaborative, a public-private partnership, is working to prepare Washington for the forecasted increase in its dementia population.

Marguerite Ro, AARP Washington state director, says that to join AARP’s network, a state is required to make a commitment from its governor or legislature.

The goal of the network, she adds, is to create an environment where “older adults can really thrive.”

Frederic J. Frommer has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years, including 16 years at the Associated Press, and is the author of several books.

 Also of interest:

• Smart Guide to Aging in Place
• Top 100 Places to Live in the U.S. for Older Adults
• Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts in Washington