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The City of Omaha and Age-Friendly Omaha announced the launch of the Age-Friendly Community Survey at a press conference March 16 at Fabric Lab, 2514 N. 24th St.

The survey invites residents to identify priorities that will guide Omaha’s first Age-Friendly Action Plan, a community-driven roadmap to improve livability for people of all ages—especially of older adults.

The Age-Friendly Community Survey will be used to determine the most pressing priorities in the community, and to gauge residents’ awareness of existing age-friendly programs.

“As we plan for Omaha’s future, it’s important that every resident—no matter their age—has the opportunity to shape what comes next,” said Mayor John W. Ewing Jr. “Older adults are the backbone of our neighborhoods.

“Their lived experiences and ideas will guide us as we create an Age-Friendly Action Plan that reflects the real needs of our community. This survey is one of the most important steps in making skure Omaha remains a place where people can live, stay and thrive throughout their entire lifetime.”

This is all part of Omaha’s work since enrolling in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. Enrollment in the Network requires communities to conduct an assessment of their age-friendliness, identify strategies for improvement and implement those strategies over time.

“This survey is the foundation of a community-driven plan,” said Todd Stubbendieck, AARP Nebraska state director. “By listening directly to older adults and their families, Omaha can coordinate practical solutions that improve daily life for people of all ages.”

Local assessments have shown that Omaha’s share of residents aged 55-plus rose from 22.4% to 25.2% between 2010 and 2020, and many older adults—especially renters—face affordability and aging-in-place challenges. The Age-Friendly process is designed to address these needs through coordinated, cross-sector action.

“We launched Age-Friendly Omaha to help partners work together, break down silos and elevate older adults’ voices,” said Ryan ZimmerMas, senior project manager at Spark and Age-Friendly Omaha community contact. “Today’s kickoff is an invitation for every resident to guide what comes next.”

The main goal of the survey is to identify the current needs of residents in the community and also help decision-makers understand and potential policies may impact the community.

“An age-friendly city is one where people can continue to connect, grow and thrive within their community,  no matter their age and ability,” said Lauren Cencic, CEO of Metro Transit. “Partnerships like this coalition ensure decision makers are working together to people have access to what t makes life worth living—friends, family, healthcare, community—with transit access working to connect it all.”

Adults age 45 and older, or someone on their behalf, are encouraged to participate in the survey until May 1.

The survey can be completed online (agefriendlyomaha.org), and printed versions are available at select locations listed on the Age-Friendly Omaha website, including all Omaha-area senior centers and the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging.

To take the survey online:

https://aarpresearch.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cNEgrYYp2BNiI4e