Staff Reports
BUDA — The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) representatives presented the Buda City Council a certificate from AARP recognizing the city’s acceptance to the AARP network of Age-Friendly states and communities during the council’s April 5 meeting.
Buda Task Force on Aging chair Linda Burton and vice-chair Jeff Kaufmann explained that AARP defines an age-friendly community as inclusive and respectful to residents of every age and ability, and a community that promotes active aging, good health and quality of life by looking at adequate housing, transportation, safe outdoor spaces and buildings, access to health and social services and opportunities for civic engagement and participation. There are more than 650 communities in the United States with the Age-Friendly City designation.
The initiative is being led by Kaufmann with help from other members of the Task Force, which in addition to Kaufmann and Burton, include John Byous; Rob Faubion; Dorothea Pickett; Rona Walton and Norma Williams.
The Task Force will conduct a baseline assessment on the needs of older adults in an effort to develop a three-year plan to address the identified needs and tools to measure progress. As a part of the process, the Task Force will solicit help from community-based organizations and develop a partner program for CBOs.
“Our goal as an Age-Friendly City is to support the health, vibrancy and livability of our community of all ages,” Kaufmann said. “We are excited about working with the AARP network and look forward to engaging with community partners.”
The growing need for age-friendly communities reflects the changing demographics of the country. By 2030 one in five Americans will be 65 or older and will be greater than the number of children under 18. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 20% of Buda’s population is age 50 and over and 10.6% is age 60 and older.
This May, which is National Older Americans Month, the Buda Task Force on Aging will begin the process of helping create a well-designed, age-friendly community that fosters economic growth and makes for happier, healthier residents.