Maryland has received AARP’s Age-Friendly designation, which builds on the recently enacted Longevity Ready Maryland Act.
Maryland has officially been designated an AARP Age-Friendly State, highlighting the State’s efforts to prepare for an aging population. The designation follows the passage of the Longevity Ready Maryland Act, which established a statewide framework to help ensure residents can age with dignity, independence, and access to the services they need.
From the press release:
Maryland’s designation as an Age-Friendly State reflects the power of local leadership and statewide collaboration. Howard County is proud to convene Maryland’s Age-Friendly Communities, creating opportunities to share innovative ideas, strengthen partnerships, and advance solutions that support healthy aging, said Howard County Office on Aging and Independence Administrator Ofelia Ross Ott.
By joining AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, Maryland commits to implementing long-term improvements across the organization’s Eight Domains of Livability, including housing, transportation, health care, outdoor spaces, social participation, and community support.
As previously covered by MACo, Maryland is among 14 states that have adopted a multisector plan for aging, integrating long-term planning across multiple state agencies. Rather than focusing solely on aging services, Maryland codified an all-of-government, longevity-focused, multisector approach to better prepare for the state’s changing demographics and future service demands. The Maryland Department of Aging, in partnership with state and local government, legislators, and other partners who support older Marylanders, now turns to the next decade of implementation of recommendations in the Longevity Ready Maryland Plan.
