The Center for the Future of Aging at the Milken Institute set out to learn the public’s familiarity with the term “age-friendly” using a survey of more than 1,000 adults age 40 and older.

According to survey results, 81% of respondents were aware of the term “age-friendly.” Older adults (ages 65+) lagged in the self-described extreme or moderate level of awareness compared to adults aged 40–64. In the surveyed population, the term “age-friendly” was most often understood to apply to communities (57%), followed by health systems (41%) and cities (25%). Most people believed “age-friendly” refers to all ages, even though age-friendly health systems are designed to meet the unique needs of older adults. These survey results provide the age-friendly ecosystem field with insights into the awareness and perceptions of the term “age-friendly,” highlighting opportunities to bolster understanding.

Housing, transportation, and health and community services ranked as the most important aspects of Age-friendly communities among respondents.

The information from the survey, including a brief look into the term “dementia friendly,” may be useful to age- and dementia friendly communities and stakeholders in promoting and advancing local and regional initiatives.