Millinocket, Maine Print
Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
4/26/2019
Lead Agency: Thrive Penobscot
Health Care
Action Plan Download
Millinocket developed its action plan in order to better create a place people can enjoy from birth to the end of their lives with services, supports and infrastructure that meet the needs of all stages of life, attracting people of all ages. Once a mill town with high wages, economic prosperity, and sustainable population, Millinocket is now a town where 43.6% of residents are 60 years or older, much in need of new economic development to attract younger residents. As part of the action plan, Millinocket has focused on winter placemaking through outdoor, age-friendly winter events, and transportation through new, free rideshare services and updates to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to increase safety and make streets more walkable. Millinocket's age-friendly initiative is also very data-driven--with local data collected regularly to better understand community needs in order to plan future, age-friendly projects.
Action Plan Highlights
Health and Community Services
Focus on food provision and nutrition for older adults by reestablishing the multi-sector Food Council to increase collaboration among sectors to more effectively address food insecurity, establishing a work group to develop and implement community garden projects to link residents to fresh food sources, and partner with U.S. Department of Agriculture to reduce barriers and facilitate the opportunity for residents to participate in the Senior Farm Share program.Transportation
Create more mobility options for older adults by partnering with local groups to plan and implement volunteer driver recruitment strategies, and advocate for improved walkability and bikeability using complete streets models.Communication and Information
Develop a media plan to promote local services for older adults, which would include oversight of an age-friendly page on the town website to ensure access and accuracy of information and the integration of age-friendly partner resources in one online location.
