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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
21-1
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
February 3, 2015
To recognize AARP and its Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities throughout the
United States of America.
WHEREAS, since 1990, roughly 90% of older Americans have stayed in the same county where they have been living, if not the very same home;
WHEREAS, in the 1990s, all but 11 of the nation’s 318 metropolitan areas saw an increase in their 65+ population, and soon the 65+ population will grow faster than the general population in all 50 states and the District of Columbia;
WHEREAS, in 2011, the so-called “Baby Boomers,” those born between 1946 and 1964, began turning 65, and the number of older people will increase dramatically during the 2010-2030 period;
WHEREAS, the older population in 2030 is projected to be twice that in 2000, growing from 5.3 million to 71.5 million and representing nearly 20% of the total U.S. population;
WHEREAS, the U.S. Census Bureau projects that the population age 85 years and over could grow from 5.3 million in 2006 to nearly 21 million by 2050;
WHEREAS, some researchers predict that death rates at older ages will decline more rapidly than is reflected in the U.S. Census Bureau’s projections, which could lead to greater growth of this population;
WHEREAS, there have been reports, specifically AARP’s Beyond 50.05: A Report to the Nation on Livable Communities, illustrating that nearly 90% of the 50+ population surveyed would prefer to remain in their own homes as they age;
WHEREAS, according to a recent AARP survey of 1,000 transportation planners, it was revealed that two-thirds of planners have not yet begun considering the needs of older users in their multi-modal planning;
WHEREAS, because active aging is a life-long process, an age-friendly city is not just “elder-friendly,” an age-friendly city is friendly for people of all ages and abilities, and promotes active aging by optimizing opportunities for health, participation, and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age;
WHEREAS, an “age-friendly” community promotes anticipating and responding flexibly to the aging-related needs and preferences of its citizens;
WHEREAS, on October 3, 2012, the District joined other aspirant-jurisdictions to become an Age-Friendly City as part of the pilot AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities through the World Health Organization Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities; and
WHEREAS, in partnership with AARP the District has engaged hundreds of residents and stakeholders in the development of the goals and objectives, the underpinning of the strategic plan, gathered details on 104 of 296 Single Member Districts, and piloted an initiative identifying age-friendly businesses in D.C.
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that the Council of the District of Columbia acknowledges and applauds the Age Friendly D.C. Strategic Plan 2014-2017 and urges the Mayor to implement the strategies outlined in the Age Friendly D.C. Strategic Plan.
Sec. 2. This resolution may be cited as the “AARP Network Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Recognition Resolution of 2015”.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
