About

Communities for a lifetime has received national attention since the concept was first introduced in 1999 in Florida.  Similar concepts by different names have a longer history, such as senior‐friendly communities, aging in place, and naturally occurring retirement communities.  All of these concepts promote community features that foster healthy and successful aging across the lifespan.

As Minnesota communities assess the implications of a historic aging population, communities for a lifetime has been viewed as a framework to help communities and their residents plan for the future.  At the same time, many communities are recognizing that the application of communities for a lifetime strategies not only benefit older adults, even if community improvements are initiated with aging residents in mind, but all residents. 

Community projects that improve accessibility, provide alternative forms of transportation, increase housing variety and affordability, and encourage flexible and supportive employment opportunities, benefit younger adults, working families, people with temporary or permanent disabilities, and older adults alike.

This section of the website answers basic questions about communities for a lifetime as a concept and statewide initiative:

What are communities for a lifetime? 
Why build communities for a lifetime?
How are communities for a lifetime built?
Where are communities for a lifetime being built? 
Who is involved in comunities for a lifetime? 
When has Minnesota taken important steps in this work?