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

Town of Chapel Hill (2023)

Chapel Hill, NC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Transportation Systems Change

Description: This project will install pedestrian safety islands with garden beds, LED lighting and signs on streets in Chapel Hill, to make them safer for pedestrians, particularly those who are older adults.

Habitat for Humanity of Durham Inc. (2018)

Durham, NC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services

Description: Like many places, Durham is experiencing an affordable housing crisis, with many longtime residents displaced from their neighborhoods. To help residents remain in their homes, Durham Habitat for Humanity expanded its Repairs Program services for low-income, older and disabled residents. The organization purchased a second-hand work truck, which helps work crews perform repairs and home maintenance tasks. Since the purchased, Habitat's teams improved homes in a year, representing a 50 percent increase from the year before. The improvements address unsafe living conditions and make homes more accessible for residents of all ages and abilities. Organizers say providing cost-effective repairs preserves affordable housing and curbs gentrification.

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 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]