The city of Lewiston has been accepted as part of the AARP Age-Friendly Network of States and Communities.

This distinction will allow Lewiston better access to resources through AARP Maine and the Center for Aging, engage and mobilize communities, share expertise, and deliver technical assistance, and Lewiston will have access to resources through AARP Maine and the Center for Aging. The Lewiston Senior Advisory Council submitted the application to AARP, according to a news release from the city.

The Lewiston City Council approved applying to the network May 2, and the city now joins 84 other Maine communities. There was no cost to apply.

The Lewiston Senior Advisory Council, established by the City Council in June 2022, focuses on community issues affecting senior citizens and serves as a liaison between senior citizens and the city.

“By becoming an AARP Age-Friendly Community, Lewiston becomes better equipped for it to be a great place to live for all its residents of all ages,” said Donna Gallant, chair of the Lewiston Senior Advisory Council.

“The Lewiston City Council, recognizing the positive impact and the importance of our senior community, felt it very important to establish a senior council, and we are very pleased to be accepted into the AARP family of cities,” said Councilor Rick LaChapelle, the City Council’s representative on the Senior Advisory Council.

AARP Consultant Dr. Patricia Oh said she was inspired by the approach Lewiston is already adopting and “impressed by all that Lewiston has already done to be a great place for people to age — especially in the areas of social participation and inclusion.”

“The majority of people 50-plus want to live in their homes and communities as long as possible. Lewiston’s awareness of age-friendly policies and practices will help to make this possible,” said Senior Advisory Council member Marcia Baxter.

Gallant states that areas of focus include “promoting intergenerational collaboration; seniors being part of the conversation as to what their needs and wants are in order to thrive in Lewiston; networking and partnering with local municipalities, businesses, resources, and non-profits; walkability; age-friendly housing and transportation options; and improving social participation, community support, and health services.”

“We plan to develop topic-related sub-committees which are representative of the diversity in our community — income levels, ages, abilities, ethnicities, races, cultures, gender identifications, and sexual orientations. Future work will include reaching out to volunteers from diverse neighborhoods, non-profits, churches, businesses, agencies working with seniors,” said Baxter.

Lewiston Senior Advisory Council meetings are open for all Lewiston seniors to attend, and work will soon be underway to establish subcommittees. Individuals with a concern or suggestion, or who want to become involved can contact a member of the committee via lewistonmaine.gov/senioradvisory.

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