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Maryland Joins the AARP Network of Age Friendly States and Communities

Advancing a statewide vision for longer, healthier, more connected lives.

AARP

Published July 30, 2026

Office of the Governor of Maryland

Key highlights

Maryland has been officially designated an Age-Friendly State by AARP.
The designation builds on the Longevity Ready Maryland Act and the state’s 10-year plan to support healthy aging.
Maryland is strengthening age-friendly communities through initiatives in housing, transportation, health services, public spaces, communication, and social connection.
The statewide effort brings together government, local leaders, health systems, universities, advocates, and community partners to coordinate policy and planning across the lifespan.

Office of the Governor of Maryland

Maryland has reached an important milestone in its work to build communities that support people at every age and stage of life. AARP and the World Health Organization have officially designated Maryland as an Age-Friendly State, recognizing the state’s commitment to creating places where older adults can remain healthy, connected, engaged, and supported.

The designation places Maryland in AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, a national effort that helps states and localities plan for livable communities through improvements in areas such as housing, transportation, health services, public spaces, communication, and social connection.

The announcement follows passage of the Longevity Ready Maryland Act, landmark legislation that strengthens Maryland’s long-term planning for an aging population and supports the state’s goal of ensuring every Marylander can age with dignity, security, and a strong sense of belonging.

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A commitment to livable communities

Governor Wes Moore said the designation sends a clear message about Maryland’s values and future.

“In Maryland, we believe that longer lives are a benefit to our families and communities,” Moore said. “By joining the national network of AARP Age-Friendly States, we are sending a clear message: in this state, we value the wisdom and experience of our older residents, and we are committed to building a future that supports Marylanders at every stage of life.”

Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller accepted the Age-Friendly State designation certificate on behalf of Maryland, highlighting the collaboration among local and state leaders, health systems, universities, and advocacy organizations that helped make the milestone possible.

“True progress is measured by how we care for every generation, making sure no one is left behind as we grow older,” Miller said. “Becoming an Age-Friendly State means building communities where opportunity doesn’t have an expiration date.”

Miller said the age-friendly approach will help align local leaders around the Longevity Ready Maryland plan and support communities where zip code does not limit a person’s ability to live a long, healthy, and dignified life.

What Age-Friendly State designation means

The Age-Friendly State designation connects directly to Maryland’s Longevity Ready Maryland plan, a multisector effort led by the Maryland Department of Aging to prepare the state for longer lives and stronger communities.

Maryland Secretary of Aging Carmel Roques called the designation a natural next step in the state’s work to become longevity ready.

“Under Governor Moore’s leadership, we are working to ensure older individuals live longer lives that are healthy and engaged by creating the systems to make that possible,” Roques said. “Whether through Maryland Access Point information and referral assistance or caregiver supports and service programs, we are ensuring that Maryland remains a premier place to live, work, and grow older.”

AARP’s age-friendly framework focuses on practical, everyday factors that shape quality of life, including safe streets, accessible transportation, affordable housing, opportunities to work and volunteer, social inclusion, communication, and access to community and health services.

“This work is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: when communities plan for people at every age and stage of life, everyone benefits,” said AARP Maryland State Director Hank Greenberg. “Maryland can build stronger, healthier, more inclusive communities where residents of all ages can thrive.”

A statewide network of partners

Maryland’s designation reflects years of collaboration across state government, local jurisdictions, universities, health systems, community organizations, and advocates. The state is already home to eight designated Age-Friendly Communities, more than 30 Age-Friendly Health Systems, and three Age-Friendly Universities.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore, the first institution in the state to earn Age-Friendly University designation, served as the backdrop for the milestone announcement.

“As Maryland’s first Age-Friendly University, we recognize that an aging population represents a vital opportunity for workforce development, research, and intergenerational connection,” said UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS. “We look forward to partnering with the state to advance the Longevity Ready Maryland plan and foster communities that support individuals at every stage of life.”

Local leadership is also central to the work ahead. Howard County Office on Aging and Independence Administrator Ofelia Ross Ott said Maryland’s designation reflects the power of local leadership and statewide collaboration.

“By working together across communities, we are helping turn the vision of Longevity Ready Maryland into meaningful action, creating places where people of every age can live with health, purpose, connection, and opportunity throughout longer lives,” Ross Ott said.

Looking ahead

Maryland’s Age-Friendly State designation is both a recognition of progress and a call to keep building. Through Longevity Ready Maryland, state and local partners will continue working across sectors to strengthen the systems, services, and community connections that help people live longer, healthier, more purposeful lives.

To learn more about Longevity Ready Maryland and the state’s age-friendly progress, visit LRM.Maryland.gov/AgeFriendly.

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