Monson, Massachusetts Print

Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
5/17/2022

Lead Agency: Monson Council 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

    Keep more older adults in their homes by developing a volunteer-based or intergenerational community service program to assist people aging in place with home upkeep and landscaping, and assisting homeowners in finding and applying for funding to rehabilitate housing to improve safety, accessibility, and basic upkeep and maintenance.

  2. Transportation

    Prioritize pedestrian safety downtown by creating and adopting a complete streets policy, and implementing other safety enhancements including traffic calming, crosswalk improvements, improving visibility of intersections by creating clear zones, and reducing the number of curb cuts, and creating more flexible parking requirements.

  3. Outdoor Spaces

    Improve outdoor spaces for older adults by enhancing the accessibility of parks and trails, creating a centrally located and accessible community garden space, and incorporating the dementia-friendly environments checklist when planning for improvements to parks, public spaces and/or public buildings.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Citizen's Advisory Committee with Town of Stafford (2018)

Stafford, CT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Trails

Description: The Citizen's Advisory Committee partnered with the Town of Stafford to increase recreational opportunities for residents of all ages. To do this, they created the River Walk Trail within Hyde Park. Volunteers worked to construct the trail, excavating the route, installing a fabric barrier and covering it with aggregate stone. The River Walk runs along the Middle River, carrying visitors between Stafford's lively shopping center, past Hyde Park and into nature. This is really about...building a sense of community, said Donna Wright, a member of the Stafford Citizen's Advisory Committee.

Belchertown Senior Center (2024)

Belchertown, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: This senior center will install benches along a new paved walkway located near an assisted living facility and a school. The seating will enable older adults with physical or cognitive challenges to take walks.

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

AARP Massachusetts State Office

One Beacon Street
Suite 2301
Boston, MA 02108
United States

Phone: 866-448-3621
Fax: 617-723-4224
Email: [email protected]