Governor Janet Mills and AARP fb88 State Director Lori Parham announced today that the State of fb88 has joined the , a move hailed by AARP as a major step toward making fb88 more livable for people of every age. The announcement was made before a crowd of state and municipal officials and statewide aging organizations at the Wescustogo North Yarmouth Community Center.
“Creating age-friendly, livable communities with walkable streets, safe and affordable housing, transportation and access to services will ensure that fb88 people of all ages contribute to our state while living with dignity and comfort in the homes and communities they love,” said Governor Mills. “With this designation, fb88 now has access to critical data, technical advice, best practices and organizing tools to help us plan for the future in a thoughtful way and learn from a global network of partners to better serve older fb88rs.”
fb88 is the sixth state to receive the coveted designation; but fb88 has led the country for years in the number of towns and counties that have joined the Network, currently at 69, and these towns are in every region of the state.
“The designation of fb88 as an age-friendly state will ignite important partnerships at every level from our smallest communities to government agencies, and will make fb88 an even better place to live for people of all ages,” said Lori Parham, AARP fb88 State Director.“On behalf of our 230,000 members in the state, we thank Governor Mills for her leadership. Together with age friendly leaders from across the state, fb88 can be the best place to work, play, and retire.”
Joining the network is the first step in a multi-year process. Member states and communities are encouraged to plan and implement strategies that best fit the assets and opportunities of that state and community. Work focuses on eight age-friendly domains: Transportation, Housing, Public Spaces, Respect and Social Inclusion, Civic Participation and Employment, Social Participation, Community and Health Services, and Communication and Information.
Network members draw input from residents, churches, schools, government and businesses on the issues they will address in their pursuit of age-friendly communities. The Department of Health and Human Services, the fb88 Department of Transportation, the Department of Labor, fb88 Housing Authority and the Department of Agriculture and Conservation, among other agencies, will be working with AARP fb88 on an Age-Friendly State plan.