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Portland's AGE-FRIENDLY
Age-Friendly recognizes businesses that commit to accessibility.
Partnerships with local businesses are not unusual in the Age-Friendly universe, but, in 2017, Portland took that one step further and launched their formal Age-Friendly Business Program. This idea has resulted in fruitful collaboration with local businesses, non-profits and organizations that includes spas, sandwich shops, a baseball field, churches, a museum, a hockey team! and hotels – a broad representation of the cultural landscape of the city.
How Was the Age-Friendly Business Program Marketed?
Members of the Portland Age-Friendly committee developed a colorful brochure that:
Introduces the concept of the Age-Friendly Community
Provides supporting statistics and answers the questions:
● Why is “age-friendliness” important now?
● What is an age-friendly business?
● What are the benefits of receiving the age-friendly designation?
The brochure and application were made available online and in print. Members of the steering committee spread the word at local business events and distributed fliers. They also enlisted the help of:
● The Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce
● Portland Downtown
● Age-Friendly Steering Committee contacts
● City of Portland website
● Social media
We are committed to making our business or organization
Age Friendly by striving to provide easy-to-navigate, respectful, positive and effective experiences and services to our community.
We support the vision of Portland, Maine as a community that encourages active and heathy living and provides a more accessible, affordable and socially engaging place for all ages and abilities.
How Does Membership Happen?
Businesses and organizations may apply for membership. They are evaluated using this checklist:
Exterior Environment (Lighting, parking, entrance accessibility, signage, steps with rails, portable ramp availability, easy-to-open or automatic doors)
Interior Environment (Low counters, wide aisles, places to rest, non-slip surfaces, accessible bathrooms, elevator, space for equipment storage, service animals welcome)
Customer Service (communication, employee training, awareness of potential needs, delivery/pick-up options)
Additional Amenities (senior discounts, delivery services, user-friendly website design, include older adult images in marketing, closed captioning on screens)
The Selection Process
A walk-through of the physical location is conducted by Steering Committee members. They review the checklist with owner or representative. They may offer suggestions for additional changes, if appropriate. If the criteria are met, the committee awards the Age-Friendly Business certificate and decal for store front window.
The Future
In 2022, this also led to the city being awarded an AARP Challenge Grant, which funded the Ramp Up For Accessibility program. This program enables local businesses and non-profits to obtain portable ramps and wireless doorbells to increase accessibility. In a city with numerous architectural barriers, these ramps were badly needed and very well-used.
Portland continues to work with the local Chamber of Commerce and Portland Downtown to expand the Age-Friendly Business Program.
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