CONTACT: Jim Flaherty
Communications Director, AARP Wisconsin
608-286-6308
Madison, Wisconsin – AARP Wisconsin today announces that the Village of Greendale has been officially accepted as a Wisconsin member of the national AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities.
The Network is an affiliate of the World Health Organization’s Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Program, an international effort launched in 2006 to help cities prepare for rapid population aging and the parallel trend of urbanization. The program has participating communities in more than 20 nations.
The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities helps participating communities become great places for all ages by adopting such features as safe, walkable streets; better housing and transportation options; access to key services; and opportunities for residents to participate in civic and community activities.
“We are honored to be leading the way in Wisconsin with AARP’s Age-Friendly Designation,” said Greendale Village President James Birmingham. “It’s a testament to the hard work and vision of our Successful Aging in Greendale for Everyone (SAGE), workgroup of our Public Health Department.
“The key feature of Age-Friendly Communities is enhancing personal independence – supporting residents to age in place, which strongly aligns with Greendale’s comprehensive plan. We look forward to embarking on this process of continuing to improve our community and make it a truly livable place for all ages,” Birmingham said.
Sam Wilson, State Director of AARP Wisconsin, said, “We’re incredibly pleased that Greendale is joining more than 180 other communities across the country that are designated as members of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities. This means these communities are actively working toward making their town, city, or county a great place for people of all ages.
“We know from our research at AARP that 80 percent of older adults want to stay in their communities as they age, and Greendale is at the forefront of making sure our communities are not only great places to grow up and work, but are also thriving areas for older adults,” Wilson said.
Greendale has taken the initial steps to enter the Network, which demonstrates its commitment to actively engage in an inclusive cycle of continuous improvement in the “8 Domains of Livability” that the World Health Organization has identified as influencing the health and quality of life of older adults.
For information about the AARP Network of Age Friendly Communities or to help your community become an Age Friendly Designated Community, visit: www.aarp.org/livable.
