Building an Age and Dementia Friendly Community: It Takes a Village (and a Region!)

Feb 20, 2025 | Age & Dementia Friendly, Aging Matters Newsletter, Healthy Aging

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A Conversation with James Fuccione of the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative

When it comes to creating communities where older adults can thrive, James Fuccione, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative, emphasizes one key ingredient: partnership. As he puts it, “It’s all about asking and listening and telling a story… getting the community to tell their story about what healthy aging means.” And a crucial part of that story is the concept of age-friendly.

This collaborative spirit lies at the heart of building age and dementia friendly communities. It’s about bringing together diverse voices – Councils on Aging (COAs), town officials, schools, businesses, healthcare providers, and older adults themselves – to create environments that support well-being and inclusivity. Because what constitutes “healthy aging” can vary significantly from one community to the next. What works in a bustling city might be very different from the needs of a rural town. That’s why understanding the specific context of each community is so vital.

A 500-Foot View of an Age-Friendly Community

An age and dementia friendly community is one that actively supports the health and well-being of its older residents. It recognizes that aging is a natural part of life and seeks to create environments where everyone can thrive, regardless of age. This often translates into improvements across several key domains that combines age friendly and dementia friendly principles so communities can be more inclusive. Based on feedback, communities may choose any combination of these focus areas and can even build or elevate other priorities. The “Salem for All Ages” initiative, for example, highlights volunteerism as a distinct priority.

  • Access, Equity, and Cultural Inclusion: Ensuring that all older adults, regardless of background, identity, or ability, have equitable access to resources, opportunities, and services. This includes addressing disparities and promoting cultural sensitivity in all aspects of community life.
  • Outdoor Spaces and Buildings: Safe, accessible, and welcoming public spaces that encourage social interaction and physical activity. Think well-maintained parks, accessible sidewalks, and community centers designed with the needs of older adults in mind.
  • Housing: Diverse and adaptable choices allow older adults to age in place safely and comfortably. This could include home modification programs, accessible housing units, and supportive living communities.
  • Social Inclusion and Participation: Encouraged and celebrated through opportunities for intergenerational connections, volunteerism, and lifelong learning. Community centers buzzing with activities, shared spaces in schools and libraries, and mentorship programs connecting older adults with younger generations are all hallmarks of age-friendly communities.
  • Transportation: Accessible and affordable options connect older adults to social activities, healthcare, and essential services. Think ride-sharing programs, volunteer driver networks, and expanded public transportation options tailored to the needs of older adults.
  • Civic Participation and Employment: Opportunities for older adults to remain active in their communities through volunteer work, civic engagement, and flexible employment options. Valuing the experience and knowledge of older adults and providing avenues for them to contribute.
  • Communication and Technology: Accessible and user-friendly information channels keep older adults informed about community resources, programs, and events. Bridging the digital divide and ensuring older adults have the skills and access to technology they need to stay connected.
  • Services (Business, Health, and Community): Access to a range of health and social services, as well as businesses catering to their needs, that are tailored to the needs of older adults, promoting both physical and mental well-being.
  • Public Safety: Creating a safe and secure environment for older adults, addressing issues such as crime prevention, fall prevention, and emergency preparedness. Promoting a sense of security and well-being in the community.

Map of AF/DF current Communities

The Power of Regional Approaches

Fuccione highlights the importance of regional collaboration, particularly for smaller communities with limited resources. Often in Massachusetts, individual communities are left to pursue grants or address needs, but these regional efforts have proven that cities and small towns can support each other. By working together, neighboring communities can pool resources, share best practices, and create a broader impact. This could involve joint transportation initiatives, regional volunteer programs, or shared community spaces. This regional approach is especially valuable for creating age-friendly communities because it allows smaller towns to leverage the resources and expertise of larger partners.

Resources for Building Age-Friendly Communities:

By embracing a collaborative, community-driven approach, and by understanding the unique needs of each locality, we can create truly age-friendly environments where older adults are valued, supported, and empowered to live their best lives. As Fuccione reminds us, “It’s an investment in all of our futures.”