Washington: The Ideal Place to Grow Older

In the US, the majority of adults 65 and older want to stay in their own home and community as they age. Across the nation cities grapple with the needs of older adults. The nonprofit Milken Institute’s Best Cities for Successful Living report, found several cities to be ahead of the curve, Washington is an example, with the growth of villages that support ageing in the community. The featured nonprofit village has 100 members, aged 57 to 95, and 160 volunteers. It’s one of 15 villages across the district and more than 50 across the Washington metro area. The Age-Friendly DC Initiative is part of an international effort. In 2012, it was initiated by then-Mayor Vincent Gray with encouragement from AARP-DC and local faith leaders. It was selected by the World Health Organization Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities to be part of an effort it started in 2007 to connect cities that serve an aging population.