Age-friendly county

Age-friendly Hennepin County works to help the county become a place where policies, services, and infrastructure related to the physical and social environment are designed to help all residents - especially older adults - live healthy, engaged, high-quality lives.

Older adults drive local economies and make vital contributions to the social fabric of our communities. They also make up an increasingly large proportion of our population:

• In 2020, adults aged 65+ outnumbered children in Minnesota for the first time
• More Minnesotans turned 65 in the past decade than in the previous four decades combined

Demographic changes make age-friendly communities more urgent. A thoughtful, coordinated response will benefit us all. Our approach is in the Age-friendly Hennepin County action plan (PDF, 7MB).

Resources

• Senior LinkAge Line
• AARP
• Trellis - organization that provides services, connections, and innovations to help people thrive as they age

Why it matters

Age-friendly is a worldwide movement of communities working to strategically respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by an older population. An age-friendly Hennepin County is a place where policies, services, and infrastructure are designed to help all residents live healthy, engaged, high-quality lives.

The county applies a health and racial equity lens to its age-friendly efforts to better understand and respond to the challenges and barriers faced by older people of color, those who have low incomes, and others who experience discrimination and disparities.

Why this effort matters

• Hennepin County SHAPE survey data shows striking racial and ethnic disparities for residents ages 55 and older. These disparities underscore the importance of taking an equity-oriented approach to Age-Friendly Hennepin County. SHAPE surveys
• The 65+ population in Hennepin County is expected to increase 78% between 2015 and 2050, compared to 28% for the overall population.
• The 65+ population is expected to become more diverse. Right now, about 89% of our 65+ population is White; by 2050, that figure will be 74%.

History and status

Age-friendly Hennepin County is rooted in what the county previously called "healthy aging." In 2019, Hennepin County enrolled in the AARP network of age-friendly states and communities and developed an Age-friendly Hennepin County action plan (PDF, 7MB).

The plan lays out strategic, coordinated steps toward becoming a place where all residents can thrive in older age. The plan lays out strategic, coordinated steps toward becoming a place where all residents can thrive in older age.

A full-time lead position and a staff workgroup from seven county departments are dedicated to implementing the action plan.

Action plan's three foundational themes

The action plan's goals and strategies are based on three foundational themes. Working through these themes creates conditions that empower residents, especially older ones, and those experiencing disparities, to live in good health and stability, even during times of stress.

Prosperous

Older adults, with a particular focus on those experiencing income-driven disparity, are financially security, have a high quality of life, and have what they need to contribute to society, including good job and meaningful volunteer opportunities.

Resilient

Older adults and communities are adaptable to changes, shocks, and stresses. High-quality services that prioritize stability, independence, and disparity reduction are readily available.

Livable

Older adults have affordable, appropriate housing and are mobile and connected. Diversity is embraced, and well-being is not determined by age, race, gender, income or neighborhood.