Age-Friendly Communities
Inclusive, Connected, and Thriving
An Age-Friendly Community promotes health, inclusion, and connection across all ages and abilities by creating safe, accessible environments and opportunities for people to stay active, engaged, and supported throughout their lives.
The Nine Domains of Livability
The 9 Domains of Livability, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and AARP, provide a framework for creating Age-Friendly Communities. These domains promote well-being, autonomy, and social connection, particularly for older adults. They offer a valuable tool for assessing both the built and social environments that help older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers remain engaged and supported in their communities.
Our Work
Age-Friendly Community Plans
An Age-Friendly Community Plan is a community-centered framework designed to proactively address the needs and opportunities that come with an aging population and shifting demographics. It centers the voices of residents, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative input to identify current concerns and future priorities. The planning process brings together key stakeholders including nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach. The Plan highlights existing community strengths that promote inclusive, accessible, and affordable living, while also setting forth a clear Vision, Goals, and Action Steps to enhance key Domains of Livability identified by the community.
CEAL is leading the charge to advance Age-Friendly Communities. Building on nearly a decade of foundational work initiated by the SDSU Social Policy Institute which supported the development of age-friendly plans in the La Mesa, San Diego, Chula Vista, Solana Beach, and Imperial Beach. CEAL now carries this initiative forward, continuing to support municipalities across the county in creating inclusive, livable communities for all ages.
Blueprint for Livable Communities
As part of our mission to support municipalities in developing their Age Friendly Plans, we developed the Blueprint for Livable Communities. This 6-step practical guide helps communities assess and address the complex and evolving needs of residents of all ages. This framework is grounded in community participation. At every stage, the process centers on resident voice and feedback, using multiple formats to gather input, reassess findings, and ensure all segments of the population are heard. Through every step of the process, the Nine Domains of Livability are highlighted and used as guiding principles for moving toward a more livable, inclusive community.
Age-Friendly Spotlight
CEAL has supported the development of local Age-Friendly Action Plans, each shaped by community input to reflect the distinct character, values, and priorities of its residents. These plans are more than just documents, they serve as living roadmaps for creating communities where older adults can thrive. By centering the voices of older adults and partnering across sectors, CEAL is helping to turn local insights into lasting impact.
