Wake Forest reports more than 1,200 responses to AARP age‑friendly survey; volunteers will help draft action plan

Anne Welton presented the results of the Town of Wake Forest’s AARP age‑friendly community needs assessment, reporting more than 1,200 survey responses and announcing plans to develop a prioritized action plan for years three through five of the AARP program membership.

Welton said the town became an official member of the AARP Age‑Friendly Community network in June of the previous year and completed a community needs assessment during the first year of enrollment. The survey was distributed both electronically and on paper and produced about three times the responses the town usually sees on community surveys, she said.

Volunteers formed an age‑friendly community committee that helped distribute the survey, run focus groups and organize findings. Welton gave particular credit to two volunteers: Pat Scruggs, who helped analyze the raw data, and Diana Yellen, who designed the needs assessment report. Both volunteers, she said, contributed their work pro bono.

The needs assessment organizes findings around six domains of livability the town emphasized: communication and information; health services; community support; transportation; social engagement; outdoor spaces; and housing. Welton said the full needs assessment report is detailed and will be made available to the public; the town will produce additional printed copies.

Welton told commissioners she would like to reconvene the age‑friendly committee next fiscal year to work with town staff (Lisa Hayes was cited as a staff contact) and interested commissioners to prioritize recommendations and produce a three‑to‑five‑year action plan. She said the town requested a limited amount of funding in the next fiscal budget to pay for consulting and some smaller activities to implement priority items.

“We’re really looking at what Wake Forest is doing well and what Wake Forest can do better, to make it friendly for an 8‑year‑old as well as an 80‑year‑old,” Welton said.

Commissioners praised the volunteer effort and expressed support for moving toward implementation; Welton said she planned to reconvene volunteers and town staff and return with updates in coming months.