Oneida County Finalizes AARP Age-Friendly Community Status

Announcement Made as Part of Older Americans Month

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced as part of National Older Americans Month, that Oneida County has finalized the process of becoming an AARP Age-Friendly Community.

“Oneida County recognizes the importance of encouraging and promoting age-friendly planning and policies to address changing demographics and enhance independent living,” Picente said. “We are proud to receive this designation from the AARP and are committed to the continual improvement that supports active and healthy aging and sustains economic and social vitality. I commend our Office for the Aging and thank our partnering organizations for their hard work and dedication throughout the process of achieving this recognition.”

Oneida County was officially designated as an Age-Friendly Community by the AARP and World Health Organization in 2016, following a commitment to facilitate the Livable Community planning process. That initiative resulted in a series of activities used to identify community needs and gain input from stakeholders, including older adults, to create a planning document to be used community-wide for the next several years.

The Livable Community Project, which was led by Oneida County, was comprised of several key partners including the Parkway Center, the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties and the Health Foundation of Western and Central New York. A steering committee devised of Oneida County Department Heads and other community-based seniors organizations and their members were also instrumental in identifying gaps, priorities and solutions essential to enhancing the livability for local residents of all ages.

The AARP Age-Friendly County designation is based on the Eight Domains of Livability outlined by The World Health Organization as:

• Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
• Transportation
• Housing
• Social Participation
• Respect and Social Inclusion
• Civic Participation and Employment
• Communication and Information
• Community and Health Services

The final phase of the initiative to ensure ongoing commitment and focus on the Eight Domains of Livability was for the Oneida County Board of Legislators to adopt a resolution, which it unanimously did at its meeting earlier this month. The resolution codifies the activities involved in the planning process, including steering committee recommendations, county-wide survey results and various focus group findings.

“As the month of May, known as Older Americans Month, annually recognizes the needs and values of our seniors nationwide, this resolution confirms that Oneida County values health across all polices and the needs of its elder population. I thank the Board of Legislators for its approval,” Picente said.

You can view the Livable Communities of Oneida County Action Plan here.