CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou recently became Aroostook County’s first “Age Friendly Community,” a designation that indicates a city or town is committed to helping people live there safely and happily as they grow older.
Bill Flagg of Cary Medical Center told Caribou city councilors about the distinction Monday, saying he was inspired to get Caribou involved after attending a Feb. 28 meeting in Presque Isle in which AARP officials discussed the benefits of becoming an age friendly community.
“I chose to attend, and it was fascinating what work is being done in the state and country to make communities more livable for people as they age,” Flagg said during Monday’s regular council meeting.
He added that Caribou was an excellent fit, as “41 percent of our population is over age 50 and more than 20 percent is over age 65.”
Each community wishing to receive the “age friendly” title is required to submit a plan along with its application to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities. Caribou’s plan is to set up a volunteer committee to look at some issues that could be improved. As an example, Flagg said he would like to see a senior transportation system in the city that would provide the elderly population with access to community events.
“We’re already doing a lot in Caribou for seniors,” Flagg said, “and we want people to be able to live in their homes for as long as possible. I think we have the ability, in Caribou, to create a very nice place for people to age in place.”
By being a member of the network, Caribou is eligible for small grants to help implement its short and long-term plans.
Flagg said he would “love to have a member of City Council” work on the community committee, and that he is working closely with Caribou Planning Board Zoning Administrator Ken Murchison in the development of this plan.
Councilors did not have any questions or comments for Flagg following his presentation, and Mayor David Martin thanked him for his time before councilors moved on to the next agenda item.
Caribou is the 47th community in Maine and 222nd in the country to become a member of the program.
