At last night’s City Council Meeting, a proclamation was presented welcoming the City of Rowlett as the 431st member (and the FIRST city named in 2020) of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. The Rowlett Senior Advisory Board, along with the City of Rowlett Parks and Recreation Department, have been working on this designation over the past six months.
The AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities is the US affiliate of the World Health Organization Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, an international effort launched in 2006 to help cities prepare for rapid population aging and urbanization. This initiative provides a structured process that guides change and serves as a catalyst to educate, encourage, promote and recognize improvement that benefit residents of all ages and life stages. Enrollment in the network provides member communities with the resources to become more age-friendly by tapping into national and global research, planning models, and best practices.
AARP’s participation in the program advances efforts to help people live easily and comfortably in their homes and communities as they age. AARP’s presence encourages older adults to take a more active role in their communities and have their voices heard. Initiatives focus on areas such as housing, caregiving, community engagement, volunteering, social inclusion and combating isolation among older citizens.
The Rowlett Senior Advisory Board will partner with Rowlett City Council to kick off a community-wide survey in this month to determine what our citizens need to ensure Rowlett remains inclusive for all age groups!
Information and photo courtesy of City of Rowlett
