Cumberland, Maine Print

Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
7/25/2016

Lead Agency: Southern Maine Agency on Aging

Government Agency

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

    Facilitate home repair by offering annual "handyman service days."

  2. Outdoor Spaces

    Create more accessible public buildings by installing handicap-accessible doors in Town Hall and the local police department.

Progress Report Download

Cumberland's age-friendly progress report focuses on efforts to help older adults age in place, get around town and socialize with one another. To help older adults manage their housing costs, Cumberland created a property tax rebate program. They also launched a volunteer handyman program. The age-friendly initiative also supported the local on-demand ride service, which serves residents age 60 and older. To keep residents engaged, Active Living Cumberland hosted community events, including a monthly Bingo gathering, health care education and holiday events.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

North Yarmouth Fire Rescue (2017)

North Yarmouth, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Emergency preparedness skills

Description: To ensure first responders can help in a fire or other emergency, North Yarmouth Fire and Rescue installed Knox Home Boxes at the homes of older adults and people with disabilities. The key safes allow firefighters and other first responders to enter homes with a key or code, without needing to damage a house's doors or windows. The boxes are set up to prevent others from accessing the key, making them secure. Project organizers report residents who originally received temporary equipment have since requested permanent installation. The Knox Box initiative remains in place today in North Yarmouth.

Age-Friendly Windham (2024)

Windham, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options

Description: This project will recruit, train and provide incentives to volunteer drivers to support a new on-demand ride service. Transportation options are currently limited for residents who cannot drive or don't have a car to get to medical appointments -- or anywhere else.

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

LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED

Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages

Visit AARP.ORG/LIVABLE
people icon

Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities

Check out the Livable Library
download icon

Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter

Subscribe now!
mail icon

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: meaarp@aarp.org