Montgomery County Marks 10 Years as an Age-Friendly Community; Listening Sessions and Online Survey Seek Input to Gauge Needs of Older Adult Residents

For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 6, 2025

This month marks 10 years since Montgomery County joined the World Health Organization and AARP’s Age-Friendly Communities Network, and County officials want to better understand the needs of older residents now and into the future. Older adult residents are invited to attend an upcoming listening session to share ideas for an age-friendly future or to complete the online Age-Friendly Community Needs Assessment. Resident input is crucial for guiding changes to public spaces, policies, and programs.

“Residents over the age of 60 make up more than 20% of the County’s population, and that is expected to rise to over 25% by 2030,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Since 2015, we have worked to design a more inclusive and supportive environment for people of all ages and abilities, and our Age-Friendly Network has inspired investment in programs and services that enhance livability and quality of life. Our work isn’t done, and we want to hear ideas on how we can ensure the County adapts to benefit residents through all the years of their lives.”

The listening sessions will be facilitated by Age-Friendly Montgomery and its contractor, Ascendient. In-person listening sessions are co-sponsored by the Recreation Department.

Listening sessions are scheduled as follows:

Online Listening Session

Monday, Dec. 1
4-6 p.m.  
Register at https://ascendient.zoom.us/meeting/register/Oyv8U9pYRq2Nmcay4lsVwA#/registrationIN-

In-Person Listening Sessions

Register through Active Montgomery beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18 Registration is recommended, but walk-ins will be permitted as space allows. Go to ActiveMontgomery and search for the keyword “Age-Friendly.”

Tues., Dec. 9
2-4 p.m.
Lawton Community Recreation Center, 4301 Willow Lane, Chevy Chase
English language
Activity Code: R07116-207

Wednesday, Dec. 10
11:00 a.m. -1:30 p.m.
Damascus Community Recreation Center, 25520 Oak Drive, Damascus
English language
Activity Code: R07116-204

Thursday, Dec. 11
9:30 a.m.-noon
White Oak Senior Center, 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring
Chinese language  
Activity Code: R07116-205

Thursday, Dec. 11
1-3 p.m.
White Oak Senior Center, 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring
English language
Activity Code: R07116-206

Residents who are unable to attend a listening session can submit their ideas and input through the Age-Friendly Community Needs Assessment. The survey is available in eight languages. The deadline for completing the survey is Sunday,
Dec. 14.

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Release ID: 25-417
Media Contact: Peter Sinclair 240-777-3238
Categories: Health, Senior