Miami Valley Age-Friendly Network (MVAFN)
The Miami Valley region population is aging, just as it is in the entire state. According to the Ohio American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the “senior” population has increased by more than 10% since 2020. By 2035, in the United States, there will be more older adults than children.
An Age-Friendly Community allows and encourages its citizens to age in place or in community!
What is the Age-Friendly Communities Initiative?
Started globally by the World Health Organization, and coordinated in the U.S. by AARP, “(t)he AARP Network of Age-Friendly …serves as a catalyst to educate local leaders…and encourages them to implement the types of changes that make communities more livable for people of all ages, especially older adults”.[1]
Age-friendly, livable communities are places where the built and social environments are accessible to and inclusive of all residents. People of all ages benefit from the adoption of policies and programs that make neighborhoods walkable, feature transportation options, enable access to key services, provide opportunities to participate in community activities, and support housing that’s affordable and adaptable. Well-designed, age-friendly communities foster economic growth and make for happier, healthier residents of all ages. Emphasis is placed on 8 “Domains of Livability” shown on the graphic.
[1] American Association of Retired Persons, aarp.org/livable-communities/network-age-friendly-communities/info-2014/an-introductino.html
What is the MVAFN?
The Miami Valley Age-Friendly Network (MVAFN) is a collaboration of communities who made a commitment to implement age-friendly strategies across the Miami Valley Region.
MVAFN, an initiative of the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission's Institute for Livable and Equitable Communities, is a coalition of communities, partners, and stakeholders who work together to establish and implement age-friendly strategies for our region. Becoming an age-friendly region means that, together, we strive to make needed changes in our communities to ensure that we can all live better as we age.
Helpful MVAFN Meetings
The MVAFN convenes quarterly via on-line meetings to provide opportunities for communities and organizations in the Miami Valley to share and learn more about the regional effort to promote age-friendly policies, places, and programs. To find meeting information, please see the 'Institute Committees' tab on the Committee Center.
The Dayton Foundation Del Mar Healthcare Fund Grants
Grant funding, through The Dayton Foundation Del Mar Healthcare Fund, supports communities in the start-up—needs assessment-- phase of becoming Age-Friendly. Eligible communities may apply for grants to help communities assess the needs of older adults through the 8 Domains of Livability Framework.
After the needs assessment is complete, MVAFN communities may apply for grant money to assist with Action Plan step, and also for implementation of Action Plan projects and programs.
2026 Action Plan Implementation Application
2026 Age-Friendly Needs Assessment Application
Questions? Please contact Regional Equity Initiative Program Manager Fabrice Juin, 937.531.6552 or fjuin@mvrpc.org or, Del Mar Encore Fellow—Age-Friendly, Arnie Biondo, abiondo@mvrpc.org
Resources
AARP Network of Age-Friendly States & Communities: https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/network-age-friendly-communities/
AARP Livability Index: https://livabilityindex.aarp.org/
Age-Friendly World Health Organization: https://extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/age-friendly-cities-framework/
To learn more about the Miami Valley Age-Friendly Initiative, please contact Regional Equity Initiative Program Manager, Fabrice Juin at fjuin@mvrpc.org