Vibrant Communities and
Healthy Aging Go Hand-In-Hand
The Connecticut Age Well Collaborative is 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. Delegated by the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity, the Collaborative is leading the state's livable communities initiative (Section 17b-420a of the Connecticut General Statutes).
Our guiding principlEs
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.
OUR ACTION PLAN
Inform efforts with lived experience and co-create
Raise awareness
Provide resources and support
Celebrate and scale action
Evaluate rigorously to inform scalability
SHAPING COMMUNITIES WHERE WE ALL THRIVE
The Connecticut Age Well Collaborative is aligning efforts across organizations and has established this integrated framework for communities across Connecticut to foster greater aging, dementia and disability inclusivity across the lifespan.
COMMUNITY LEADERS FELLOWSHIP
The Collaborative is launching the Community Leaders Fellowship, a compensated opportunity for individuals with lived aging, dementia and disability experience and their care partners to guide and shape the Collaborative’s work. Through a process of shared learning, trust-building and empowerment, a subset of the Fellows will be selected to join the Collaborative’s Steering Committee longer-term. The group may also serve as a learning laboratory and model for municipal community engagement work, with an emphasis on valuing and engaging with lived in experience. To receive an announcement of this opportunity when it becomes available, sign up for our e-news.
AGE WELL ACADEMY
Our communities are stronger when they include the full scope of our energy, including the contributions of older people, individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and individuals with disabilities. Learn more in our 2023 Age Well Academy, with special recognition to be awarded to participants who join us for all five events in 2023, following our launch event on November 30.
Eligible for Certified Connecticut Municipal Official Credit (CMMO) with the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM).
Meet the Connecticut Age Well Collaborative: Launch Event and Report Release
Wednesday, November 30, 2022, 11am | Virtual
How to Reframe the Aging Narrative: Celebrating Vitality
Wednesday, February 8, 2023, 11am | Virtual
Sharing and Celebration Summit: Honoring Community Excellence
Wednesday, April 26, 2023, 11am | State Capitol
Understanding Your Community: An Interactive Data Tool
Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 11am | Virtual
Practical Action for Aging, Dementia and Disability Inclusivity: Best Practice Guidelines
Wednesday, September 13, 2023, 11am | Virtual
Honoring Lived Experience and Creating Community Authority
Wednesday, October 18, 2023, 11am | Virtual
RESOURCE GUIDE SERIES
Municipal government, community stakeholders and residents can work together to create more aging, dementia and disability-inclusive communities, resulting in more just, equitable communities for everyone. The Connecticut Age Well Collaborative’s new report is the first in a series of resource guides to support local government in shaping communities where we all can age well. Register here to attend our virtual release event, with the guide to be posted after.
CONNECTICUT 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 the Point32Health Foundation (formed by a combination of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation and Tufts Health Plan Foundation).
leadership, staff & Partners
Our Steering Committee Members:
Ellen Carter
Ayesha Clarke
Stephanye Clarke
Joel Cox
Anna Dorghazi
Margaret Gerundo- Murkette
Gretchen Knauff
Christy Kovel
Andrea June
Melissa Lang
Mag Morelli
Sherry Ostrout
June Renzulli
Kyle Shiel
Deborah Stein
Christie Stewart
Dianne Stone
Michael Werner
Our Staff:
Alyssa Norwood
Karen Green
Our Partners:
Collective impact brings people together in a structured way to achieve social change. The Connecticut Age Well Collaborative plans and implements its work through a collective impact model. This evolving list reflects strategically cultivated relationships with governmental, nonprofit and academic organizations who were invited as partners. “Partners” are organizations committed to collaborating to align efforts and shared resources toward fostering Connecticut communities where we all thrive as we grow up and grow older. We also look forward to cultivating more formal relationships with municipalities, community centers of power, grassroots leaders and other key stakeholders. To explore partnership with the Connecticut Age Well Collaborative, e-mail ctagewell@ctcommunitycare.org.
CORE COLLECTIVE IMPACT PARTNERS
Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity
Connecticut Community Care
Connecticut State Department of Aging and Disability Services
Point32Health Foundation
COLLABORATING COLLECTIVE IMPACT PARTNERS
AARP Connecticut
Alzheimer's Association CT Chapter
Center for Medicare Advocacy
Central Connecticut State University
Connecticut Association of Senior Center Personnel
Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness
Connecticut Conference of Municipalities
Connecticut Local Administrators of Social Services
Connecticut Main Street Center
CT Aging
CT Department of Public Health
CT State Independent Living Council
CTData Collaborative
The Housing Collective - Centers for Housing Opportunity
LeadingAge Connecticut
Regional Plan Association
Sustainable CT
UConn Center on Aging, University of Connecticut
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