TOWSON, MD—Officials have finalized and released their action plan for the county’s new Age-Friendly Baltimore County initiative.

“We believe Baltimore County can set the standard as a place where all residents feel welcome and can take comfort in knowing their needs are being met,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “Our Age-Friendly Action Plan will serve as a roadmap for building a more inclusive, equitable and accessible county for our older residents.”

Following a two-year outreach effort with residents and community partners, the Baltimore County Age-Friendly Action Plan identifies new projects and programs to improve residents’ quality of life.

“The Baltimore County Department of Aging is proud to serve as the lead agency working with our sister agencies, community partners and the public to create a more age-friendly region,” shared Laura D. Riley, Director of the Department of Aging. “We want to create a region where adults can stay connected to their communities and remain independent and meaningfully engaged throughout their later years.”

The Age-Friendly Action Plan identifies Housing, Transportation, and Community Support and Health Services as its top priorities, with recommendations to:

• Develop a continuum of affordable, accessible housing options regardless of their health or financial status.
• Advance a network of public and private transportation that equitably serves residents and connects them to services, social activities, and employment opportunities.
• Develop a more integrated system of services and supports that is person-centered and ensures that all residents have the opportunity to engage in health promoting activities.
• Workgroups will be formed to address other focuses like Outdoor Spaces and Buildings and Communications and Information.

The full plan can be read online at the Baltimore County Government website at https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/aging.

The AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities is an affiliate of the World Health Organization’s Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Program, an international effort launched in 2006 to help cities prepare for rapidly aging populations and the parallel trend of urbanization. Baltimore County joined in 2019.

According to the WHO Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities, there are 1,114 cities and communities in 44 countries, covering over 262 million people worldwide.

Click to access AFBCbooklet2021.pdf