Orange County, North Carolina Print

Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
7/12/2016

Lead Agency: Orange County Department of 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. Outdoor Spaces

    Give older adults a greater voice in planning new outdoor spaces by opening channels of communication between residents and planning organizations.

  2. Transportation

    Improve coordination of medical transportation through a new workgroup comprised of representatives from transit, health, and aging services agencies.

  3. Social Participation

    Accommodate older adults who are unable to leave their homes, yet want to participate in social activities, through a "Senior Center Without Walls" program.

Progress Report Download

Since publishing its action plan, Orange County integrated its age-friendly initiative into working groups on housing and transportation, and offered recreational programming and dementia-friendly supports to older adults. The County's age-friendly initiative worked to support a volunteer driver program, including creating a new system to track and schedule rides. Additionally, they coordinated food assistance to families in need. To help residents age in place, the County developed a network of organizations that provide home repair and modification assistance. They also worked to recommend changes to state and local housing policies and voice support for affordable housing projects. The County offered social and educational programs, including cross-cultural events. Additionally, residents had access to dementia-friendly supports, including trainings, networking for caregivers and a memory cafe.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Hope Renovations (2026)

Chapel Hill, NC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: HomeFit Modifications

Description: Public seminars will help residents evaluate small home changes that support aging in place. Participants will receive summaries that guide practical next steps.

Town of Chapel Hill (2023)

Chapel Hill, NC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Transportation Systems Change

Description: Frequent crashes on high-injury corridors put pedestrians, especially older adults, at risk when walking to transit or community centers. To address this, the town piloted traffic calming measures including modular refuge islands, a traffic circle and a chicane near key locations. It also hosted a Vision Zero Community Safety Festival and outreach events to educate residents and gather input. These efforts improved safety and accessibility, energized community engagement and accelerated adoption of an updated Traffic Calming Policy, laying the foundation for broader Vision Zero initiatives.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

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 North Carolina State Office

5511 Capital Center Drive
Suite 400
Raleigh, NC 27606
United States

Phone: 866-389-5650
Fax: 919-755-9684
Email: [email protected]