City of Winnemucca, Nevada
- Project Title: Age-Friendly Community
- Program Representative Interviewed: Gini Cunningham, Winnemucca Alzheimer's Support Group; Age-Friendly and Dementia-Friendly Winnemucca/Humboldt County Project Coordinator
- Location: Winnemucca, Nevada
-
Program Overview: As part of a volunteer-initiated and led effort, the town of Winnemucca,
NV held a town hall in September of 2016 where aging issues, especially issues around dementia and driving,
were highlighted as a priority. After those discussions, key stakeholders realized that taking the keys away
from someone to prevent driving is an insufficient solution if other services and assistance are not
provided. Following that, in December 2016, the community of Winnemucca joined the AARP
age-friendly network and is working with its community members and leaders to make Winnemucca an
“Age-Friendly” and “Dementia-Friendly” community. Volunteers meet monthly to design
action steps toward those goals. Efforts include:
- creating pleasant outdoor spaces
- adequate transportation
- affordable housing
- social events with senior inclusion
- civic participation opportunities
- health services
- caregiver support,
- communication systems for those who are aging in place
AARP's Network of Age-Friendly Communities' self-service toolkit explains steps for initiating and achieving a well-designed livable community that promotes health and sustains economic growth.