In 2019 on the heels of a community health needs assessment in greater Westerly, community members and organizational representatives convened and committed to addressing the needs and concerns of older residents.  And so, Age Friendly Westerly was launched, with the support of Age Friendly Rhode Island.  Shortly afterwards, we adopted the domains of liveability framework.

The domains of liveability include: housing, transportation, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and health information, community support and health services, outdoor spaces and buildings.  

Age Friendly Westerly has developed a plan with strategies that seek to positively impact the community in all of these domains.  As well, strategies identified by Age Friendly Westerly are reflected in the town’s 20-year comprehensive plan.

The work of Age Friendly Westerly strives to include and involve the older residents of the community.  Through our many partners, including Westerly Library, the housing and skilled nursing facilities, social service providers, the police department, town government, the hospital, and community organizations, we seek to engage older residents.  

One effort that has been particularly fruitful is community conversations and coffee hours in partnership with the Westerly Public Library.  Our work to create a Westerly Village, working with The Village Common of RI, has resulted in many new people joining the effort to create a network of mutual support so that people can stay in their homes longer.  We also have created a PSA video series featuring some familiar people from Westerly discussing issues of importance to older residents. 

As of the summer of 2021, Westerly now joins with other communities across the state and US to become a part of the network of AARP age-friendly communities.  It is clear that Westerly values its citizens of all ages and recognizes the importance of joining together to create opportunities to age gracefully here.  Being named an age-friendly community by AARP is a notable milestone.