Aging Well Durham unveils 2024 comprehensive aging plan with housing, transportation and dementia goals

Aging Well Durham presented the county's new 2024 Durham Comprehensive Aging Plan on Aug. 5, describing nine domains (the eight AARP age-friendly domains plus a cross-cutting communications and information domain) and 13 implementation goals developed by livability working groups and a coordinating council.

Executive Director Shalisa Howard Martinez said the organization functions as the backbone for the plan and will coordinate implementation with lead agencies and community-based organizations. She highlighted early and ongoing initiatives: a Durham Senior shuttle pilot that remains active; community capacity grants (more than $200,000 last year) to help nonprofits engage Medicaid revenue streams; a new crisis home for youth opening this week in partnership with Breakout; and planned dementia-inclusive volunteer and multi-sector partnerships. The plan contains goals on workforce supports for older adults, strengthening the adult protective multidisciplinary team, expanding housing options including supportive and IDD-inclusive units, and preparing an evaluation framework with measurable indicators.

Commissioners welcomed the plan and discussed next steps including identifying MOUs with lead agencies, pursuing funding, coordinating with the county strategic plan and ensuring Aging Well Durham sits at the table for county planning and transit efforts. Martinez said the group will finalize the plan, submit it to the AARP Age-Friendly Network and craft implementation MOUs and an evaluation framework through the coming year.