City of Lincoln announces new age-friendly action plan

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The City of Lincoln on Thursday announced a new age-friendly action plan.

According to Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, the plan aims to strengthen access to information, improve transportation and expand housing options for community members of all ages.

Gaylor Baird also said that, as a result of the plan, Lincoln has renewed its AARP Age-Friendly Community designation through 2029.

“Age-friendly communities enhance personal independence, allow residents to remain in their homes and communities as they age, and provide opportunities for residents of all ages, ability levels, and backgrounds to engage fully in civic, economic, and social life,” Gaylor Baird said. “Lincoln has long been a city where people look out for one another and work together to build a strong future for every generation. As Lincoln grows and the number of older adults in our community increases, we have a responsibility to prepare for this growth in ways that support health, independence, and social connection for all.”

The city said the plan focuses on three AARP domains of livability based on common themes from Aging Partners’ community engagement efforts:

• Communication and information – This domain expands digital literacy, strengthens Aging Partners as a trusted point of connection, improves coordination among service providers, and reduces barriers that limit social connections. Specific strategies include continuing and expanding digital literacy workshops, increasing services at the city’s Aging and Disability Resource Center, and enhancing awareness of local services and benefits.
• Transportation – This domain includes increasing awareness and comfort with public transit, incorporating age-friendly considerations into route planning and bus stop design, and improving access to community events and services for non-drivers. Specific strategies to reach these goals include “How to Ride” education events, distributing free bus passes for seniors, and mapping existing transportation resources in Lincoln.
• Housing – This domain assesses high-impact, cost-effective design features for aging in place, advocates for policy and funding improvements, expands incentives for age-friendly development, and reviews hurdles within zoning and building codes. Research on how the city can incorporate age considerations into housing design to make it more age-friendly and support aging in place is underway.

The plan includes results from an AARP survey completed by 581 respondents aged 45 and older, with geographic mapping showing participation well distributed across the community.

More information on Aging Partners is available on the city’s website.