More communities, regions and states are joining the Age-Friendly movement via designation by AARP and the World Health Organization that signals a commitment to improving that location as a welcoming and supportive place for people of all ages.

The number of those commitments is approaching 425, with nearly 70 in Massachusetts, which also was among the first states to join. The most recently designated community in the Commonwealth is Norwood and holds the distinction as the first of more than 400 communities to be led by a chamber of commerce.

The Neponset Area Chamber of Commerce, along with HESSCO – the area Aging Service Access Point – are helping to coordinate regional age-friendly efforts and are beginning with Norwood.

For more highlights that have been featured in age-friendly communities from across the country, see AARP’s state-by-state age-friendly news archive.