 2000 – Department of Elder Affairs Elder Ready Community Initiative  The City & County Passed Resolutions in support of the ERC Initiative  City Manager was authorized to formulate an ERC team to conduct a survey of the community  Completed the Elder Ready Assessment Tool  Various projects, events, and programs developed by Senior Services as well as other departments.

 Leon County Commission grant to TSC Foundation to develop rural Senior Days program  Networking Expos & Luncheons  20+ Resource Cards compiled on many areas of inventory  Resource page included in bi-monthly Active Living magazine in Tallahassee Democrat  Caregiver respite & training (Powerful Tools for Caregivers) in partnership with Alzheimer’s Project  Mutual promotion of organizations’ programs for seniors

 Transportation  Annual Silver Stars Event  Active Living Expo

CONTINUED AWARENESS  Tallahassee recognized as a desirable place to live!  Choose Tallahassee, Inc.  Tallahassee Active Lifelong Leaders - TALL

Currently : 28% Age % Age 60+ By 2030: One in Six will be 65+ (16.5%) Over 65 will increase by 77%

1. Obtain political commitment of the community’s elected officials  Written pledge to commit to a continual cycle of improvement  Complete membership application  Send to AARP state office  AARP advises the WHO’s Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities

2. Organize stakeholders  Successful initiative based on broad collaboration of stakeholders and of course age-50+ residents  Examples of successful engagements: Macon-Bibb, GA & City of Des Moines

3. Conduct assessments to identify needs  Use or adapt the AARP survey to help assess available resources and what residents view as important for successfully aging in place.

4. Establish an advisory committee that includes older adults  Support healthy aging, which leads to improved health, well-being, satisfaction and quality of life for older Americans.  Sets policies, services, and structures that support and enable people remain active as they age.

Because active aging is a life- long process, an age-friendly community is not just “elder- friendly” – it is friendly for people of all ages.