Bowdoinham, Maine Print

Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
4/14/2015

Lead Agency: Advisory Committee on Age-Friendly Bowdoinham (ACOA)

Age-Friendly Taskforce/Advisory Council/Commission

Action Plan Download

An action plan is based on the results of community surveys identifying needs within the 8 Domains of Livability that influence the health and quality of life of older adults. While there is flexibility in how a plan is created and what it will do, every action plan includes a statement about what can be achieved, target dates for goal completion, identification of participating organizations and indicators to measure progress. The action plan is an "active" rather than static document. Revisions and amendments are a sign of program improvement and progress.

Action Plan Highlights

  1. Housing

    Help residents with simple home maintenance, repair, and modifications by supporting local groups and contracting out difficult requests.

  2. Respect and Inclusion

    Capitalize on residents' interests and talents to work on a variety of community improvement projects by providing information about volunteer opportunities on Facebook.

  3. Outdoor Spaces

    Protect public green spaces through a roadside clean-up program.

Progress Report Download

Bowdoinham's age-friendly progress report describes successes related to transportation, aging in place, social inclusivity and communication with residents. Since completion of its action plan, the Town has invested in accessible sidewalks for the central business district. It also coordinated a volunteer driver program to help residents who don't drive get to medical appointments, errands and recreational activities. Another initiative -- the Handy Brigade -- uses volunteer power to help older adults with household chores and basic home repairs. The community has embedded age-friendly goals in its comprehensive plan, ensuring leaders consider older adult residents when undertaking physical infrastructure projects or policy updates.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Advisory Committee on Aging (2017)

Bowdoinham, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: The Town of Bowdoinham provided elevated planters to six residents who, because of disabilities, could not maintain traditional, in-the-ground gardens. Members of the local Masons Lodge constructed the raised beds and delivered soil to each recipient. To showcase the planters, the Town hosted a community meal featuring local produce, which included a presentation about the benefits of raised beds. In addition, the Town founded a garden club, which meets monthly.

Town of Bowdoinham (2023)

Bowdoinham, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Lifelong housing and accessibility

Description: The town will develop a plain language guide promoting the use of Universal Design as an approach to more inclusive, safe and accessible housing for people of all ages and abilities.

ABOUT THE AARP COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Launched in 2017, the annual AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to local governments and nonprofits in order to fund quick-action, ready-to-implement projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.

See all nearby projects

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Connect with your AARP State Office

AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP Maine State Office

53 Baxter Boulevard
Suite 202
Portland, ME 04101
United States

Phone: 866-554-5380
Fax: 207-775-5727
Email: [email protected]