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Simsbury Age‑Friendly subcommittee plans mid‑September Aging‑In‑Place expo, weighs AARP grant for mobility mats
Summary
At its Feb. 3 virtual meeting the Simsbury Aging and Disability Commission Subcommittee approved minutes, agreed to slim and distribute a Community Partners Response Form, set plans for an Aging‑In‑Place Expo at the Simsbury Library in mid‑September 2026, and discussed applying for a $2,500 AARP Community Challenge Grant to buy ‘Mobimats’.
The Aging and Disability Commission Subcommittee (Age‑Friendly Community) met via Zoom on Feb. 3, 2026, and approved its Jan. 6 minutes before moving on to outreach and event planning.
Chairperson Jan Beatty called the meeting to order at 2:33 p.m. and noted that no members of the public were present. The subcommittee voted unanimously to accept the Jan. 6, 2026 minutes; Libby Easton‑May moved to accept and Valerie Finney seconded.
Members reviewed and agreed to streamline a Community Partners Response Form. The subcommittee decided to meet with partner organizations to update them on the action plan, send the revised Response Form to all partners, and schedule individual Zoom meetings to review the form and answer partner questions.
The group reported no new action yet on distributing drive‑thru/curbside delivery window clings to businesses. Members discussed printing the A&D Commission Resource Guide, which is currently available online, and agreed that printing costs would be covered from the A&D Commission budget.
The subcommittee also set the plan to hold another Aging‑In‑Place Expo at the Simsbury Library in mid‑September 2026. Members reviewed last year’s floor plan and suggested recruiting agencies that provide technology for seniors and persons with disabilities as well as the Simsbury Housing Authority. Each committee member was asked to contact a set of last year’s participants to determine their interest in returning.
Committee members discussed the AARP Community Challenge Grant, which has a March 4 application deadline and awards up to $2,500 for short‑term community improvements. One member suggested applying for funds to purchase “Mobimats,” portable mats that help wheelchairs and walkers cross uneven surfaces, and recommended contacting the town Parks and Recreation Department to determine potential town‑wide use before submitting an application.
Beatty summarized takeaways from an AARP webinar she attended Jan. 13, saying “over 1,000 towns, cities, counties, and states from around the country have joined the AARP Age‑Friendly effort,” and noting broader trends such as gaps in all‑age accessible recreation, increased demand for intergenerational programs, and examples of using open space for age‑friendly park concepts.
The subcommittee noted two upcoming AARP webinars on Feb. 10 (transportation access) and March 10 (how age‑friendly efforts generate spinoffs) and provided registration links. The meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.; the next meeting is scheduled for March 3, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. via Zoom.
