South Portland, Maine Print
Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
10/15/2019
Lead Agency: City Council
Government Agency
Action Plan Download
South Portland developed its action plan with the goal of building a city where all residents can live safely and with dignity as they age, with a special focus on residents ages 65 and older. The initiative aims to partner with local entities to enhance and improve existing services and develop additional needed services, provide opportunities for all members of the community to engage and interact with older residents and advise the South Portland City Council on policy and infrastructure changes that will enhance the livability of the community.
Action Plan Highlights
Housing
Help older adults age in place by developing a volunteer handyman service for older residents by working in the school systems and with area service clubs to provide for snow removal, lawn care and small home project repairs, establishing a vetting process for reliable contractors for older adults' work with the business community and promoting available programs that exist for energy efficiency and safety.Outdoor Spaces
Work to make local businesses and public outdoor spaces more age-friendly by setting up economic incentives for ADA compliant buildings, partnering with the business community to sponsor a regular "older adults shopping day" and surveying all local parks to describe their accessibilty and ensure a few parks in each neighborhood are fully accessible to older adults and those with disabilities.Transportation
Promote safe, reliable and easy-to-use travel options to get people of all ages where they need to go. Build on existing resources to develop a citywide transportation network that provides free and low-cost rides, facilitating residents' mobility to meet medical and food security needs.