In the coming weeks, Newtown will likely put itself in the running to become Connecticut's first AARP "Age-Friendly Community." First Selectman Pat Llodra said she is planning to attend a community presentation by AARP and Friends of Newtown Seniors Tuesday, November 29, from 6 to 7 pm, at Newtown Middle School.The Newtown Bee last week that she will sign the application to get the Age-Friendly Community application into play. Friends of Newtown Seniors in cooperation with the town, Newtown Commission on Aging, Newtown Senior Services, and Newtown Social Services is sponsoring the presentation by AARP on livable communities.info@friendsofnewtownseniors.org, find them at facebook.com/friendsofnewtownseniors2016, or call: 203-430-0633 and leave a message.

If the first selectman likes what she believes she is going to hear that evening, Mrs Llodra hinted to

According to the World health Organization (WHO) Age-Friendly Communities are described as having: "Affordable and appropriate housing, supportive community services, and adequate mobility options, which facilitate personal independence and the engagement of residents in civic and social life."

AARP's network of age-friendly communities focuses on eight domains of livability: transportation; outdoor spaces and buildings; housing; social participation; respect and social inclusion; civic participation and employment; communication and information; community support and health services. Currently there are 123 Age-Friendly Communities in the US - but none in Connecticut.

John Boccuzzi, Sr, who presented the AARP application to local selectmen November 7, said he believes Newtown is poised to, or already fulfills criteria under each of the eight domains. Newtown has the second most generous senior property tax benefit in Connecticut; is on track to develop a new community and senior center in the coming years; has several accessible parks and trail systems; a robust selection of senior programming across several municipal and education departments; and health services, transportation, and employment opportunities for its burgeoning aging population.

The all-volunteer nonprofit Friends of Newtown Seniors is dedicated to helping the Newtown community address issues that affect the lives and well-being of seniors. Organizers believe there are meaningful programs in place which support seniors locally, but observe that those programs are poorly coordinated and in some cases inadequate to meet the needs of Newtown's large and growing senior community.

But Newtown's concerns are not unique. Localized community resources - especially for seniors - are lacking or dwindling across Connecticut.

In a recent survey by AARP Research, 78 percent of registered Connecticut voters encompassing a wide age and demographic spectrum feel it is important for them to live in their community and the state for as long as possible, with 50 percent saying it is very important.

However, a majority of the 1,000 registered voters age 25-plus surveyed also expressed the need for state leaders to address community features important to residents that are either insufficient or nonexistent and could cause population erosion.

"The report shows us Connecticut voters want to remain in their communities, while signifying the need for our state to address gaps in the quality of important safety, economic, and health resources available," said AARP Connecticut State Director Nora Duncan.

A majority of Connecticut voters, regardless of age, believe their communities do include safe neighborhoods, public libraries, parks or recreation centers, and good public schools, but many people indicated that certain important community features do not exist and their community needs them.

There is a significant need gap between several community attributes Connecticut voters who were surveyed view as important and what respondents feel actually exists:

*Good job opportunities (55 percent difference);

*Places for young adults to socialize (40 percent);

*Housing options for persons with physical disabilities (37 percent);

*Affordable shops and other retail services (33 percent);

*Well designed and maintained streets (29 percent);

*Affordable housing (28 percent);

*Dependable public transportation (27 percent);

*Hospital (24 percent).

"AARP is urging voters to ask candidates for the state House and Senate about their plans to address the community resources important to keeping residents in our state, including the need for affordable housing, transportation, and family caregiver supports," added Ms Duncan. She noted a livable community allows residents to age-in-place, and fosters residents' engagement in their community's civic, economic, and social life.

many seniors can receive care in their own home - the place 90 percent prefer to live - for the cost of one in the community."

"Creating more livable and age-friendly communities gives Connecticut residents safer and better choices for living independently throughout their lives while saving the state millions of dollars," said Ms Duncan. "Studies have shown that

Locally, Friends of Newtown Seniors is actively seeking volunteers to help with various initiatives planned for the coming year.

To support those initiatives the group needs volunteers with a variety of skills who can make a commitment to the mission of the organization through active participation in the following activities.

Reach the group at PO box 413, Newtown, CT 06470, e-mail

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