Age Friendly Team Shares Findings with Board of Commissioners

Representatives from Age Friendly Cook County and the Arrowhead Area Agency on Agency met with the Cook County Board of Commissioners on March 19^th to present an overview of findings from a series of community surveys and listening sessions held throughout the county. The information gathered will be used to understand the perspectives, experiences, and concerns about aging in our area and decide if the county wants to join the network of “Age Friendly” communities.

AARP launched the Age Friendly initiative in 2012 as part of a broader world-wide effort to make systems and communities more inclusive of and responsive to older adults.  Age Friendly communities seek to enhance the quality of life for residents at every stage of life in eight key areas or “domains” including transportation, communication, civic participation, housing, health services and community supports.

“We were thrilled with community members’ response to the surveys and their participation in the listening sessions,” said Julie Wilson, Care Partners Exectuvie Director and Age Friendly Cook County Project Co-Manager. “We also very much appreciate the Commissioners’ time, attention and thoughtful feedback. We look forward to returning to the Board in April to make to a formal request for resolution and commitment to join the Age Friendly Communities network.”

The presentation team included Grace Grinager and Andrea Tofte from Cook County Public Health and Human Services, Julie Wilson from Care Partners, and Georgia Lane from the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging (AAAA.)