Thanks to the efforts of the Marion COA and the Friends of the Marion COA, Marion has been designated an Age-Friendly community by AARP and enrolled in its network of similarly-named towns and cities. In Massachusetts, only 48 other communities are enrolled in the AARP network so far.
The Age-Friendly initiative is a project of AARP and the World Health Organization that launched in 2006 and has since expanded to 20 nations. The effort aims to prepare cities and towns for rapid population aging and urbanization.
According to the AARP, an Age-Friendly community is one that is safe, secure, has affordable housing, transportation options, and offers support services. As part of achieving the Age-Friendly designation from AARP, the Town of Marion was required to submit a letter of intent, accompanied by the Town’s demographic profile, and a perceived action plan outlining steps to be taken to become a more livable community for everyone.
Marion’s Age-Friendly Committee is currently preparing a survey which will be sent to Marion residents 55 and older this Fall. Responses to the survey will inform the Committee of areas that should be addressed to make the Town of Marion more accommodating to current and future senior citizens.