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Assessing progress in United States age-friendly communities: are initiatives making a difference?
1Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States.
The Gerontologist
|May 25, 2026
Summary
Communities in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities (NAFSC) show higher livability. NAFSC membership supports healthy aging and aging in place, though health and rural areas need more focus.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Urban Planning
- Public Health and Community Development
- Sociology of Aging
Background:
- Population aging necessitates Age-Friendly Community Initiatives (AFCIs) to support healthy aging and aging in place.
- The AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities (NAFSC) is a key national initiative in the U.S.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if NAFSC member communities are more age-friendly than non-member communities.
- To assess the progress of NAFSC members in improving community livability over time.
Main Methods:
- Utilized AARP Livability Index data from 2015 and 2024 for 736 NAFSC communities and 12 NAFSC states.
- Analyzed total livability scores and seven domains: housing, neighborhood, transportation, environment, health, engagement, and opportunity.
- Employed multilevel mixed-effects linear regression models, controlling for demographic and socioeconomic factors.
Main Results:
- NAFSC members demonstrated significantly higher overall livability, neighborhood, transportation, and health scores compared to non-members in both 2015 and 2024.
- NAFSC communities maintained engagement and opportunity scores, contrasting with national declines in these areas.
- Health scores lagged in communities with a higher proportion of older adults, and rural communities showed lower livability.
Conclusions:
- Joining the NAFSC signifies institutional commitment to supporting an aging population.
- Enhancing social and civic engagement is crucial for improving community livability and supporting aging in place.
- Increased focus is required on health outcomes and the specific needs of rural communities within the age-friendly framework.
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