CT Age Well Collaborative
Vibrant Communities and
Healthy Aging Go Hand-In-Hand
The Connecticut Age Well Collaborative, a statewide, cross-sector initiative that fosters Connecticut communities where we all thrive as we grow up and grow older. The Collaborative co-creates, educates, innovates, celebrates and evaluates best practices, projects and policies to shape more aging, dementia, and disability-inclusive communities.
AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES
Age-friendly communities provide affordable, accessible, diverse housing and transportation options and public buildings and spaces; supportive community features and services; and vibrancy and opportunities for community engagement. They engage residents in civic and social life and allow people to remain in their homes and communities. Done well, they enhance the quality of life for all residents, create tremendous economic value in towns and cities, promote healthy living and support environmental sustainability.
CT HEALTHY AGING DATA REPORT
The Connecticut Healthy Aging Data Report helps residents, agencies, lawmakers and community leaders understand the older people who live in their cities and towns. It provides data and recommendations to help advance healthy aging to aid in building vibrant, healthy communities that work for all ages. Connecticut is one of only four states in the nation to have such extensive data available for healthy aging.
Within this report, you will find interactive maps, in-depth charts, and comprehensive profiles that include nearly 200 indicators of healthy aging for each of the state’s 169 cities and towns, plus 12 neighborhoods in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford.
All data was compiled by researchers at the Gerontology Institute of the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The work was funded by Tufts Health Plan Foundation.
ABOUT THE CT AGE WELL COLLABORATIVE
Building on the work of the Connecticut Livable Communities initiative, the Connecticut Age Well Collaborative is currently preparing an analysis of aging in the state, Connecticut’s history of livable community work coupled with priorities and best practices.
Our guiding principals
Emphasize access, equity, and inclusion.
Change the conversation about aging from “challenge” to “asset”.
Listen more and let everyone’s voice be heard.
Maintain a sense of urgency and accountability.
Ensure the nature of work is interactive and transparent.
Be responsive to evolving and emerging issues.
Promote a community of continuous learning.
Celebrate success among our partners.
CREATING AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES
Our Steering Committee Members:
Ellen Carter
Anna Doroghazi
AARP/CT
Margaret Gerundo-Murkette
Connecticut State Department of Aging & Disability Services
State Unit on Aging
Steven Hernández
Connecticut Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity
Dr. Andrea June
Chair, Gerontology Minor
Central Connecticut State University – Age Friendly University
Chair, Connecticut Healthy Living Collective
Mag Morelli
Leading Age Connecticut
Sherry Ostrout
Director of Government Initiatives
Connecticut Community Care
June Renzulli
Retired Program Officer,
Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation
Julia Evans Starr
Connecticut Community Care
Deborah Stein
Retired Program Officer, Connecticut Community Foundation
Dianne Stone
National Council on Aging
Joan Wessel
Senior Resources – Agency on Aging
CT Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Our Staff
Alyssa Norwood
Connecticut Age Well Collaborative
follow our work
2020
2022
1. Informing and co-creating aging-inclusive community efforts with lived experience through the creation of a Community Leadership Team.
2. Raising awareness on issues of age and disability inclusivity through an education campaign.
3. Providing resources and support to communities through targeted technical assistance.
4. Creating an opportunity for recognition and celebration of aging and disability inclusive communities.
5. Partnering with academic stakeholders to inform local efforts with evidence-based practice.
2021
AGE-FRIENDLY RESOURCES
Connecticut for Livable Communities
Communities across Connecticut all want to be thriving places for people to grow up and grow older. Connecticut for Livable Communities, an initiative of Connecticut’s Commission on Women, Children and Seniors (formerly run by the Commission on Aging), provides information and inspiration for community leaders to prepare for the changing demographics of our state.
AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
World Health Organization Checklist of Essential Features of Age-Friendly Cities
Reframing Aging - Frameworks
Framing can help address negative attitudes toward aging. FrameWorks' research offers powerful ways to shift thinking about aging and older people.
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