Age-Friendly Montgomery

Age-Friendly Montgomery Advisory Group | Members | Presentations | Meeting Minutes

Age-Friendly Montgomery County is an initiative desgined to enhance the County as a wonderfully diverse Community for a Lifetime-- a place where all residents can, thrive to their full potential, and contribute to making our County a better, stronger, more inclusive community for everyone.

Age Friendly Montgomery Community. Elderly men and women smiling for a photo after exercising.

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Have Questions? Contact Us:

Age-Friendly Montgomery
Email: Shawn Brennan

Visit the Commission on Aging or call 
240-777-1120

People with difficulty using standard phones are encouraged to use Maryland Relay 711 when contacting organizations listed.

When did the County's Age-Friendly Program begin?

Montgomery County joined a program called the World Health Organization/ AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities in December 2015. This program helps communities be better places for people of all ages to live. There are over 880 communities in the US and more than 50 in other countries in this program. Montgomery County also joined the Dementia Friendly America initiative to help people with memory problems and their caregivers. These two programs work together to make the community better for everyone.

How Does Age-Friendly Work?

County Executive Marc Elrich leads this effort, together with the County Council, government staff, residents across the County, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders. Together, these community leaders offer critical input into planning for an Age-Friendly future that is designed to meet the changing needs of all County residents, with a focus on our rapidly growing and diverse older population.

Areas of Focus

An Age-Friendly Advisory Group comprised of public and private leaders oversees the efforts of ten workgroups in addressing domains considered essential to an age-friendly community. Based on information gathered from the Age-Friendly Montgomery Survey, community focus groups and other sources, the work groups have established three-year strategic plans in key domains, as listed below, to improve resources and services.

Key Domains and Missions

  1. Civic and Social Involvement

    To encourage and support vital living for all older adults in Montgomery County by providing opportunities for physical, mental, and social interaction.

  2. Communication and Outreach

    To distribute and publicize recognizable, understandable, timely, and accessible information on County and public resources and services for older adults.

  3. Elder Abuse Prevention

    To protect elderly adults from maltreatment, physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of every type through education, intervention, and prosecution.

  4. Employment

    To promote the equitable recruitment and training of workers age 50 and older to enhance their employability and to benefit employers.

  5. Health and Wellness

    To bring together government and community partners to expand and promote health and wellness awareness, resources, and activities for adults 55+ that help maintain or improve physical, cognitive, and emotional health.

  6. Home and Community-Based Services

    To provide Montgomery County residents with coordinated, personalized, community-based support allowing them to age safely and with dignity in their communities.

  7. Housing

    To ensure that Montgomery County older adults will have choices of dwelling types to meet the changing needs and preferences of this population. The County will support initiatives to assist older adults to age in place, downsize, choose rental housing or home ownership. Further, the County will support housing with supportive services so that older adults can remain in their communities.

  8. Planning, Outdoor Spaces, and Buildings

    To "change the way we age" by enabling older adults to "stay active, to the fullest extent possible, within all areas of life; physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, vocational, social, and environmental. Aging within these dimensions of wellness keeps us alert and enjoying a productive life." (Adopted from the International Committee on Active Ageing.)

  9. Senior Public Safety

    To provide physical, financial, technological protection and safety for older adults.

  10. Transportation and Mobility

    To provide public and private transportation and mobility systems that enable older adults to go safely where they want to go, when they want to go.

Action Plans

Age friendly Action Plan - Elderly women reading a book to a child.

Reports and Resources

Progress Reports

Other Resources

Alternative formats of these document are available upon request. Call Aging and Disability Services at 240-777-3000.