Lifelong Maine
age-friendly communities where all ages thrive
Lifelong Maine
age-friendly communities where all ages thrive
Dirigo, our state motto, means "I lead," — and Maine's age-friendly movement is one place that holds true.
When Bowdoinham joined the WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities in 2014, it was among the first communities in the world to do so. That same year, Portland became the first city in Maine to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.
A decade later, 92 Maine municipalities have made the same commitment. More than half of all Mainers (50.4%) live in an age-friendly community, a share that reflects a decade of steady commitment by municipal leaders, local groups, service providers, and — most commonly — volunteers.
Age-friendly communities work to make their cities and towns more inclusive of people at every stage of life, including people living with chronic illness or disability. The goal is a community where everyone can stay active, connected, and engaged — and where people have access to the transportation, housing, services, and social opportunities they need to age well at home.
Joining the AARP Network is one way communities make that commitment. Formal membership brings national recognition, technical support, and connection with age-friendly communities across the country. It is a good fit for many municipalities, particularly those with strong government support and the capacity to complete the network's planning cycle.
Other communities are doing the same work without formal membership. The AARP model may not fit every town's size, structure, or timeline, and that is fine. What matters is the work: making buildings more accessible, improving transportation, addressing food security, repairing homes, and creating opportunities for neighbors to connect. Across Maine, local volunteers and community organizations are partnering with their town governments to make those changes, on their own terms and at their own pace.
What makes a community age-friendly? Start by taking this quiz to learn how age-friendly your community already is. Interested in joining the Age-Friendly community movement? Learn how by checking out our skill chapter - Getting Started with Your Age-Friendly Community and visiting the Lifelong Maine Guide to Building Age-Friendly Communities.
In a Lifelong Maine's Age-Friendly Communities, we feel valued and respected. We can:
get to the places we want to go
do things we want to do
lead healthy and active lives
access information
make our voices heard
Watch the introductory video and explore the resources on our website to learn more about why becoming an Age-Friendly, inclusive, community is so important...and begin organizing in your municipality!