Department of Aging

Age-Friendly Cleveland

Age-Friendly Cleveland 2025-2028 Action Plan

The City of Cleveland was designated as an Age-friendly City by the World Health Organization (WHO) and joined the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities (GNAFC) in 2014. The City of Cleveland joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities in 2015. Now, Age-Friendly Cleveland is releasing the second iteration of the Age-Friendly Action Plan. 

Check back here for updates on Age-Friendly Cleveland Progress.

Mission: Age-Friendly Cleveland works to create a city where all people are valued, respected, and can thrive knowing their community supports them. 

Vision: A City of Cleveland that is accessible and inclusive for people of all ages and abilities.

Age-Friendly Cleveland Action Plan 2025-2028

Age-Friendly Cleveland 2025-2028 Action Plan

Check out the latest version of our Age-Friendly Action Plan, here!

Age-Friendly Cleveland Action Plan 2017- 2019

Age-Friendly Cleveland Action Plan 2017 - 2019

Read our first Age-Friendly Cleveland Action Plan, here!

Age-Friendly Cleveland Domains of Livability

AARP and the WHO have similar frameworks with which communities are asked to organize their Age-Friendly work. Both list eight “Domains” and the framework is used by many of the cities, counties, states and countries to become more livable for both older residents and people of all ages.

The addition of a 9th Domain of Livability, Sustainability and Emergency Preparedness was inspired by the work of Age-Friendly Athens County, Ohio, the George V. Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service at Ohio University and The Ohio State University College of Social Work’s Age-Friendly Innovation Center in Columbus, Ohio. This domain, Sustainability and Emergency Preparedness, will reflect the changing nature of our world, and our citizen’s needs. 

Housing Domain logo

Housing

Affordability, essential services, design, modifications, maintenance, aging-in- place, community integration, housing options, living environment. 

Watch Video

Outdoor Spaces Domain Logo

Outdoor Spaces and Buildings

Environment, green spaces and walkways, outdoor seating, pavements, roads, traffic, cycle paths, safety, services, buildings, public toilets.

Watch Video

Transportation Domain logo

Transportation

Affordability, reliability and frequency, travel destinations, age-friendly vehicles, specialized services, priority seating, transport drivers, safety and comfort, transport stops and stations, information, community transport, taxis, roads, driving competence, parking.

Watch Video

Civic Domain logo

Civic Participation and Employment

Options of volunteering, employment options, post- retirement training, accessibility, civic participation, valued contributions, entrepreneurship, paid opportunities to work.

Watch Video

Communication Domain logo

Communication and Information

Offer oral communication, printed information, plain language, automated communication and equipment, broad public access to computers and the internet.

Watch Video

Health Domain Logo

Community Support and Health Services

Service accessibility, offer a range of health and community support services, voluntary support, emergency planning and care, coordinated service delivery.

Watch Video

Sustainability Domain logo

Sustainability and Emergency Preparedness

Emergency service availability, snow plowing, access to emergency supplies, recycling and waste management education, access to green and renewable energy sources, home weatherization

Social Domain Logo

Social Participation

Accessibility of events and activities, affordability, range of events and activities, facilities and settings, promotion of awareness of activities, addressing isolation, fostering community integration, outreach to those at risk of social isolation. 

Watch Video

Respect Domain Logo

Respect and Social Inclusion

Respectful and inclusive services, public images of aging, intergenerational and family interactions, public education, community inclusion, economic inclusion. 

Watch Video

Coalition of Age-Friendly Communities of Ohio (CAFCO)

Age-Friendly Cleveland is proud to be a member of the Coalition of Age-Friendly Communities of Ohio. 

Purpose: CAFCO members will educate, mentor, and support each other and the work of Age-Friendly communities across Ohio. We focus on creating a positive aging framework centered on inclusivity, empowerment, and advocacy.

Vision: CAFCO brings together member communities that elevate the knowledge and experiences of older adults with data informed innovators. We advocate for our state to be a livable place for people of all ages.

Learn more about CAFCO, here!
 

AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities

Cleveland was the first community in Ohio to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in 2015. Since then, we have been joined by more than 40 additional communities including Cuyahoga County, and the State of Ohio!

Learn more about the Network, here!