We’re All Aging

Did you know that nearly 45 million Americans are age 65 or older? And that by 2030, that number will reach 73 million?  By 2030, one of every five people in the U.S. will be 65 or older. We’ve been talking about the “New Majority” here in Cuyahoga County for a while now, with estimates indicating that close to 30% of our residents – over 400,000 -- will be 60 or over by 2030. 

Successful aging is a life-long process, and DSAS believes that Cuyahoga County’s older adults should have opportunities, options and environments in which to stay active, engaged, and healthy.  “Livable Communities” that provide connection, health and economic vitality contribute to our well-being in all stages of life.

A Community for All Ages

With this in mind, Cuyahoga County, led by the Division of Senior and Adult Services (DSAS) is launching an exciting initiative that promotes these outcomes for our residents. We are joining hundreds of cities and counties across the nation in becoming an AARP “Livable Community.”   This initiative supports counties, cities and towns in becoming great places for people of all ages.

“Livable Communities” make it their mission to provide safe, walkable streets; age-friendly housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents of all ages to participate in community life. They do this by addressing “eight domains of livability” that influence the health and quality of life of for us as we age:

• Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
• Transportation
• Housing
• Social Participation
• Respect and Social Inclusion
• Work and Civic Engagement
• Communication and Information
• Community and Health Services

Becoming a “Livable Community”

Our "Livable Community" initiative is a comprehensive five-year process aimed at enhancing the quality of life for older adults and promoting healthy aging across Cuyahoga County. In partnership with the Center for Community Solutions and key community stakeholders, we embarked on this journey with a thorough assessment in the first year. This involved engaging community voices through focus groups and surveys to gather vital input and insights.

The culmination of this effort is the Livable Cuyahoga Needs Assessment Report, a foundational document that informs our vision and sets the course for the Livable Cuyahoga initiative. Based on these findings, we developed the Livable Cuyahoga Roadmap—an actionable plan designed to transform the county into a more livable community for people of all ages.

The Plan Implementation and Evaluation phase of the Livable Cuyahoga initiative is currently underway, led by the Livable Cuyahoga Advisory Council—a dedicated group of leaders and advocates in senior services. This council oversees specialized subcommittees focused on key priority areas. The effort is actively advancing the Livable Cuyahoga roadmap—addressing one goal at a time to foster a more inclusive, accessible, and age-friendly Cuyahoga County. Current priorities include three critical domains: housing, transportation, and social participation. These focus areas were identified based on extensive feedback gathered from community members and stakeholders, reflecting the real needs and priorities of older adults and residents of all abilities.

Get Involved!

“Livable Cuyahoga” is a community-wide initiative aimed at building a more inclusive, accessible, and age-friendly Cuyahoga County—and its success depends on all of us. There are many ways to get involved: help spread the word by sharing information about the initiative, sign up for updates, invite a speaker to your organization, or attend one of our upcoming Livable Cuyahoga events. Every action, big or small, contributes to shaping a community where all residents can thrive at every age. Check out our upcoming events below and find your way to engage! Together, we are building a community for all ages!