Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville were among the Massachusetts communities that showed up in AARP’s Livability Index “Top 100” that represent strong scores for being age-friendly.
The AARP Livability Index Tool was recently updated and draws on more than 50 different sources of data to determine which among America’s cities and towns are the top performing livable communities. Massachusetts is also fortunate to have its own set of community profiles thanks to UMass-Boston with support from Point32Health Foundation that can help craft local and regional age-and dementia friendly plans.
Brookline, Belmont and Arlington also showed up in the AARP’s ranking alongside other communities in New England like Burlington, Vermont and Portland, Maine.
The Livability score is useful as place to start or steer efforts that help communities become more age friendly, but communities should engage residents and stakeholders to ensure plans are relevant and impactful. Communities should consider working to become dementia friendly as well and can use the resources below to help.
- Massachusetts Age- and Dementia Friendly Integration Toolkit
- MHAC’s age-friendly resources
- Mass Councils on Aging’s Dementia Friendly Massachusetts resources
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a statewide age- and dementia friendly initiative called ReiMAgine Aging, which has progress reports and highlights available here. Massachusetts is now in the process of refreshing the statewide action plan.