Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Aging Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
New Aging Well Durham nonprofit outlines nine-domain plan and early implementation steps
Summary
Aging Well Durham, the nonprofit backbone for Durham's Comprehensive Aging Plan, presented a new nine-domain aging plan and near-term implementation activities including listening sessions, an evaluation framework and partnerships to address senior housing, transportation and elder abuse.
Shalisa Howard Martinez, executive director of Aging Well Durham, presented the organization's role and a new comprehensive aging plan to the joint Durham city-county meeting on Aug. 13. She said Aging Well Durham was formed in 2022 to serve as the backbone organization coordinating implementation across multiple partners and focus areas.
Howard Martinez described nine livability domains the plan will address — including housing, transportation, community support and health services, older-adult hunger and nutrition, and a domain focused on abuse, neglect and exploitation. She said the plan aligns with county focus areas (health, inclusive communities, regional leadership) and city goals (shared economic prosperity, public safety). The plan includes examples of on-going work, such as the Durham Senior Shuttle and digital equity projects; Howard Martinez said implementation teams will start designing activities "beginning next week." She noted the plan will be submitted to the AARP Age-Friendly Network and that MOUs and funding plans will be developed by year end.
Council and commission members asked about rising senior homelessness and elder-abuse prevention; Howard Martinez cited data from local housing management systems showing older adults are a common demographic seeking housing support and described a multidisciplinary adult-protective team that meets monthly. Elected officials encouraged integrating Aging Well Durham into housing task-force discussions and exploring grant and philanthropic opportunities; Howard Martinez said she has identified potential funders including AARP and the Cigna Foundation and that she expects more philanthropic interest as demographics shift.
