Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson accepts the award from AARP Utah's State Director Alan Ormsby. Representatives and leaders from Salt Lake County’s Office of Regional Development and Aging & Adult Services were heavily involved in making this designation possible. Photo courtesy of AARP Utah.
AARP has designated Salt Lake County as Utah’s first ‘age-friendly community.’ The award was announced in May at the Millcreek Community Center, which houses a senior center, a recreation center, and a library.
With three communities housed in one spot, AARP says it’s an example of how Salt Lake County has shown their investment for different generations to come together and to build stronger bonds.
This recognition reflects the value that Salt Lake County holds for every one of their communities and the high importance county leaders place on social participation, communication, information, and respect for people of all ages. “Day in and day out we work very, very hard to make sure that all of the members of our community who are aging have the resources and support to keep them connected, healthy, and engaged in the community,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. “I could not be more proud that Salt Lake County is the first AARP designated Age-Friendly Community in Utah.”
Change – it happens sooner or later
Change is inevitable. Environments shift, cities evolve, neighborhoods expand, and populations grow older. Sooner or later, even the most familiar places change with time.
Considering all these different shifts and changes, it is important to ensure living conditions that protect individuals to a well lived life. Enabling them to grow strong and age healthy. This leads to the question: Should cities adapt to meet the needs of older adults, or should older adults be expected to adapt to the changing cities?
Things are always changing, so it’s not fair to expect older adults to keep up with everything that goes on day-by-day — especially when those changes can make it harder for them to age and live well. We all know an older adult that has spent their lives helping shape who we are and the world that we have. Like the saying goes, “We should give our elders the respect and dignity they deserve, for they have made our lives possible.”
Age-friendly communities make it easier for everyone — especially older adults — to stay healthy, safe, and socially connected. These types of communities offer different opportunities that help older adults live their best lives as well, based on their personal physical and social needs. The importance of building friendly cities and communities allows us all to serve older adults with a dignified life so they can age well and meet the needs of the population.
Over the next four years, the Office of Regional Development will be partnering with Aging & Adult Services to create action and assessment plans focused towards making life better for older adults in our communities. It comes following a meeting last fall, when planners and policy makers came together at the Regional Solutions Event to learn more about how to create communities so that they ensure happy living for everyone. It’s because of these kinds of conversations that we are seeing a positive change.